This is the artwork of Lisa Congdon. I’m loving her 365 days of creative lettering. Her blog can be found here. She also has an etsy shop where you can purchase prints.
As the holiday season approaches there is a word that I need to keep at the forefront of my mind. That word is understanding. There are many words associated with the holidays: giving, peace, love , joy, and faith just to name a few. When families get together in close proximity for an extended period of time inevitably there is misunderstanding We have different convictions and voice our opinions which can cause arguments or hurt feelings. Just the other day my son was giving me a hard time about my blog. My husband thinks he is struggling with the idea of his mother blogging because in his mind it’s something people do who are in their 20’s and 30’s, not someone who is 45. Little does he know, there are women much older than me who blog and I think it’s terrific. He thinks I’m trying to be a modern hipster . The fact that I also started taking drum lessons a year ago may play a part in his thought process. Looking back I can remember being his age and thinking my mother was a modern hipster. My mother has a glitzier sense of style than I do and has always been very bold when it comes to fashion and interior decorating. She leans toward a more modern look. To give you an example, we had a leopard couch growing up. Leopard print is actually quite classic and timeless, but when I was a kid I was the only person I knew who had a leopard couch. This gives me a better understanding of where my son’s feelings are coming from at his point in his life. I try to look at things from a teenage perspective which is a challenge in and of itself.
We all want to feel validated. I am reminded that we all want the same things: security, safety, abundance, love, peace of mind and heart and respect. I think the more you can see those things in others the better you will be able to keep the peace. It’s often the hardest to do with family. I’m not always good about holding my tongue. I blame my Italian blood lines, but I know I can do better. I will look to understand others better and have a peaceful holiday season. I hope you have peace in your heart this holiday season!
I love this article Dawn!