In an Ever-Changing World, Embracing Your Roots Matters More Than Ever
- Jun 27
- 10 min read
Written by Mona Liza Santos, Award-Winning Children's Author & Emotional Literacy Advocate Mona Liza Santos is an award-winning children’s author and founder of World Love Press. She has written more than 40 books focused on emotional literacy, kindness, confidence, and cultural identity, inspiring families, educators, and young readers worldwide through heartfelt storytelling and meaningful life lessons.
We live in a world where we can connect with almost anyone at any time, yet many people still find themselves searching for a sense of belonging. Despite all the ways technology has brought us closer together, there are moments when people feel disconnected from their communities, their families, and sometimes even from themselves. In a world that changes rapidly, where trends come and go, and life often feels fast-paced and uncertain, many people find themselves asking the same question: "Where do I belong?"
As a children's author, mother, and someone who has spent years writing about kindness, emotional literacy, confidence, and belonging, I have come to believe that part of the answer often begins with understanding where we come from.
The human need to belong
Belonging is one of the most basic human needs, yet it can sometimes feel harder to find than ever before. Many people are raising children far from where they grew up. Others have lost connections to family traditions, cultural practices, or stories that once brought generations together. Social media allows us to see thousands of people every day, but it does not always create meaningful connections. In some ways, it can even leave people feeling more isolated or uncertain about who they are.
At the same time, children are growing up in an increasingly diverse and ever-changing world. They are exposed to more cultures, ideas, and experiences than previous generations, which can be a beautiful thing. But it can also leave some children wondering how their own story fits into the bigger picture.
Belonging is not simply about fitting in. It is about feeling accepted without having to change who you are. It is knowing that your experiences matter, your story matters, and that there is a place where you can be fully yourself. In many ways, the search for belonging is really a search for connection. People want to feel understood. They want to feel valued. They want to know that they matter and that their story has a place in the world.
When children grow up with that sense of belonging, it often shapes how they see themselves, how they relate to others, and how confident they feel navigating life. When that sense of belonging is missing, people can spend years searching for something they cannot quite put into words.
Perhaps that is why understanding where we come from feels so important. Our roots, traditions, family stories, and cultural identities often provide a sense of connection that reminds us we are part of something larger than ourselves. They help us understand who we are, where we came from, and how our story fits into the stories of those who came before us.
Why knowing where you come from matters
For many people, the feeling of belonging begins with understanding where they come from. Long before children learn about the wider world, they begin learning about themselves through the people around them. They hear family stories, participate in traditions, celebrate holidays, and absorb values passed down through generations. Whether they realize it or not, these experiences help shape how they view themselves and where they fit in the world.
Some of my favorite childhood memories involve family gatherings, traditions, and stories shared by older relatives. At the time, they simply felt like ordinary moments. Looking back, I realize those experiences helped build a deeper understanding of who I was and where I came from.
Our roots are not just about history. They are about identity. They help us understand the experiences, sacrifices, values, and traditions that shaped the generations before us. They remind us that we are part of a larger story and that our lives are connected to something beyond ourselves.
In a world that often moves quickly and constantly changes, those connections can provide a sense of stability. They help children develop confidence, self-worth, and a stronger understanding of their place in the world. When children learn about their heritage, they often gain something far more valuable than information. They gain a sense of pride, belonging, and connection.
Knowing where you come from does not mean living in the past. It means carrying forward the lessons, stories, and traditions that helped shape you while continuing to grow into the person you are becoming.
The lasting impact of belonging on children
Children may not always have the words to explain what belonging feels like, but they know when they experience it. They know when they feel welcomed. They know when they feel included. They know when their voice matters. They know when they feel proud of who they are. Just as importantly, they know when they do not.
Many of the beliefs children develop about themselves begin forming long before adulthood. The way they are treated, the environments they grow up in, the stories they hear, and the people who surround them all help shape how they see themselves and the world around them.
When children feel accepted and valued for who they are, they are often more willing to express themselves, share their ideas, and build meaningful relationships. They tend to develop greater confidence because they are not spending their energy trying to fit into spaces where they feel they do not belong. Instead, they are free to grow into the person they were meant to become.
On the other hand, children who constantly feel invisible, disconnected, or unsure of where they fit in may carry those feelings with them for years. Sometimes those experiences quietly influence how they view their worth, their abilities, and their place in the world.
That is why belonging is so much more than a nice idea. It plays an important role in emotional wellbeing, confidence, identity, and human connection. Every child deserves to grow up feeling proud of who they are, connected to where they come from, and confident that their story matters. When children feel that sense of belonging early in life, it often becomes a foundation they carry with them long into adulthood.
Why representation matters
Throughout that journey, one thing became clear to me, children want to know that their story matters. Books help children understand both the world around them and themselves. When children see experiences, traditions, families, and cultures that reflect their own lives, it reminds them that they belong. At the same time, stories introduce them to people whose experiences may be different from their own, helping build curiosity, empathy, and understanding.
This belief has inspired many of my books. One example is The Filipino in Me. While the book celebrates Filipino culture, traditions, family values, and heritage, its deeper message is universal. It encourages children to feel proud of who they are while appreciating and respecting others.
The goal was never simply to teach children about one culture. It was to remind them that every family, every culture, and every person has a story worth sharing. When children grow up seeing themselves reflected in stories while learning about the experiences of others, they begin to understand that belonging is not about being the same. It is about feeling accepted for who you are while extending that same acceptance to others.
That understanding creates the foundation for empathy, respect, and meaningful human connection.
Embracing your roots doesn't separate us, it connects us
One of the biggest misconceptions about heritage is that celebrating our own culture separates us from others. In reality, I have found that it often brings people closer together.
When people understand and appreciate where they come from, they are usually more open to learning about others as well. Every family has stories, traditions, and experiences that help shape who they are. While those stories may look different from one culture to another, many of the values and emotions behind them are surprisingly similar.
That is why I believe embracing our roots is not about creating division. It is about creating connection. When children learn about their own heritage, they often become more curious about the heritage of others. They begin asking questions, listening, and discovering that every culture has something meaningful to share.
The more we understand our own story, the easier it becomes to appreciate someone else's. That understanding creates opportunities for empathy, respect, and deeper human connection.
The inspiration behind Heritage and Heart Day
As I continued writing books centered around kindness, belonging, emotional literacy, confidence, and cultural identity, I began noticing how closely these themes were connected. No matter our age, background, or culture, many of us are searching for the same things.
I also realized that many children grow up without fully understanding their family stories, cultural traditions, or the experiences that shaped the generations before them. At the same time, many adults are searching for a deeper connection to their identity, heritage, and sense of belonging.
That realization eventually inspired me to create Heritage and Heart Day, observed annually on October 15.
The observance was created to encourage people to embrace their roots, learn their family stories, celebrate their heritage, and take pride in the traditions that helped shape them. At the same time, it encourages people to approach others with curiosity, empathy, kindness, and respect.
That is where the "heart" comes in. Heritage and Heart Day is not only about understanding where we come from. It is also about appreciating the stories, experiences, and cultures of others. In many ways, it is a reminder that we can celebrate our own identity while still creating space for others to celebrate theirs.
My hope is that the observance encourages meaningful conversations within families, schools, workplaces, and communities. When people understand their own story and become open to learning about someone else's, it often creates stronger connections and a greater sense of belonging for everyone.
Building connection through heritage and heart
One of the things I love most about Heritage and Heart Day is that it welcomes everyone. No matter your race, culture, nationality, background, or family story, everyone has roots worth exploring and a story worth sharing. The observance was created to encourage people to learn more about where they come from, embrace their heritage, and feel proud of the traditions, experiences, and values that helped shape who they are today.
At the same time, Heritage and Heart Day is not only about understanding our own story. It is also about learning to appreciate the stories of others. When people feel secure in their identity and connected to their roots, they are often more open to listening, learning, and building meaningful connections with people whose experiences may be different from their own.
Some of the most meaningful conversations can happen in everyday moments. A child asking a grandparent about their childhood, a family sharing stories around the dinner table, a classroom learning about different cultures, or a community coming together to celebrate its diversity can all create opportunities for connection. These moments may seem simple, but they help build confidence, understanding, belonging, and respect for one another.
In many ways, Heritage and Heart Day is not really about a single day on the calendar. It is about encouraging conversations that continue throughout the year. It is about helping people stay connected to their roots, understand their family stories, and celebrate what makes them unique while also recognizing that every person, every family, and every culture has something valuable to contribute.
My hope is that people walk away feeling proud of who they are without feeling the need to hide or change parts of themselves to fit in. At the same time, I hope they become more curious about the experiences of others. When people of different backgrounds come together with respect, kindness, and a willingness to learn from one another, we create stronger communities and deeper human connection.
That is where meaningful understanding begins. In a world that often feels divided, I believe that matters more than ever.
Free resources for families, educators, and communities
One of the most important goals behind Heritage and Heart Day was making sure it would be accessible to everyone. I did not want it to be something people could only participate in if they had special funding, programs, or resources. I wanted families, schools, educators, workplaces, and communities to have practical tools they could use right away.
That is why free downloadable toolkits and resources were created for every age group, from transitional kindergarten through high school, as well as resources for families, educators, workplaces, and communities. Each toolkit was designed to encourage meaningful conversations about heritage, belonging, identity, empathy, and human connection in ways that feel engaging and approachable.
My hope is that these resources help people learn more about their own story while creating opportunities to learn about the stories of others. Whether through a classroom activity, a family discussion, a workplace conversation, or a community event, every small effort can help build greater understanding and connection.
Readers can learn more about Heritage and Heart Day and access the free educational resources and toolkits through the official Heritage and Heart Day website. Additional information about World Love Press can be found here.
Readers interested in exploring cultural identity through storytelling can also learn more about The Filipino in Me, a children's book that celebrates heritage, belonging, family values, and cultural pride.
Final thoughts
As October 15 approaches, I encourage you to take a moment to learn more about your own story. Ask a grandparent about their childhood. Talk to a parent about family traditions. Look through old photographs. Write down family memories. Learn where your family came from and what experiences helped shape the generations before you.
At the same time, take time to learn about someone else's story as well. Ask questions. Listen with curiosity. Be open to traditions, perspectives, and experiences that may be different from your own. Sometimes understanding others begins by first understanding ourselves.
Heritage and Heart Day is a reminder that embracing who we are and appreciating others are not opposing ideas. In fact, they often go hand in hand. The more connected we become to our own roots, the more open we often become to learning about the roots of others.
My hope is that these conversations continue long after October 15. Every family has a story worth preserving. Every culture has something valuable to share. Every person deserves to feel proud of where they come from while extending that same respect and understanding to others.
In an ever-changing world, it can be easy to lose sight of the things that ground us. Our roots remind us where we came from, while our hearts help us connect with people whose stories may be different from our own. When we embrace both, we create stronger families, more connected communities, and a greater sense of belonging for future generations.
Because at the end of the day, Heritage and Heart Day is not simply about celebrating the past. It is about carrying the best parts of our stories forward, staying true to who we are, and creating a future where everyone feels they belong.
Read more from Mona Liza Santos
Mona Liza Santos, Award-Winning Children's Author & Emotional Literacy Advocate
Mona Liza Santos is an award-winning children's author, publisher, and founder of World Love Press. She is the author of more than 40 children's books focused on emotional literacy, kindness, confidence, resilience, and cultural identity. Her work has been recognized by the Mom's Choice Awards for its positive impact on children and families. Inspired by motherhood, global travel, and her Filipino heritage, Mona creates stories that encourage children to embrace who they are and recognize their worth. Mona is also the founder of National Intentional Kindness Day and Heritage and Heart Day, created to promote empathy, inclusion, cultural pride, and meaningful human connection within schools and communities.
