Tis' the Season to Proceed with Caution
Hello Tribe,
Happy Holidays to you all. As we continue to voyage into a space of mysticism and holiday bliss there's a few things things that are on my heart to share. Before we finish Decking the Halls, and checking our lists, let's double check to make sure we are keeping a few things in mind this holiday season.
Everyone is not feeling so holly. The holidays tend to bring so much joy for a lot of people, but for others is drudges up negative feelings of lost loved ones, financial pressures and realities and encountering of toxic family and friends. By American culture, we have categorized this season as The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, but for some, it is exactly the opposite. Additionally everyone is not able to spend time with their family members/loved ones due to work, distance, financial limitations, unhealed issues, and the list goes on.
Everyone does not celebrate Christmas. Merry Christmas tends to be a customary greeting during this time of year, but it negates inclusion of people of other faith-based systems as well as other's emotional health. Perhaps, your colleagues and friends observe other holidays or cultural practices during this time of the year. Maybe, your friends and family just aren't feeling so merry. The assumption of the former lacks validation of other's mental, emotional and cultural standing.
Everyone does not want to spend time with family and friends. Uh-oh, yes I said it. Everyone is not excited to see their family and friends because everyone is not excited to spend time with family and friends who have been historically notorious for creating toxic environments and/or continuously breaking boundaries through the insertion of unwanted opinions, comments, conversations, expectations and so on. Familial pressures sometimes make it hard for people to create hard and defined boundaries which opens the gates of anxiety, worry and down right depression.
As we continue to enjoy our family or simply ourselves, let's try to carry the spirit of compassion, caution, and understanding not only this season, but every season throughout the year.
Blessings unto all,
Courtney
About the author: Courtney Brookins is a mother, poet, author and educator. She published her first book, Flowering Yourself, which is a collection of poems. She is also the co-founder of OneSun3Flowers with her two daughters, which is an empowerment and leadership organization for women, girls, mothers and daughters centered around practicing self-care and building healthy relationships.
Website: www.onesunflowers.com Book: bit.ly/flowering_yourself Instagram: www.instagram.com/onesun3flowers Facebook: www.facebook.com/onesun3flowers Periscope: www.periscope.tv/onesun3flowers Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/onesun3flowers YouTube: OneSun3flowers TV Twitter: www.twitter.com/onesun3flowers