Greetings Dear Reader,
One of the things that happens over holiday seasons is that
we interact with and sometimes even reconnect with friends and family. When this happens, it can be filled with joy or
a time of impatience and avoidance.
Memories can be tricky things. They
can both heal and haunt. We choose what
they do to us.
It is first vital to understand that no matter how anyone
else treats us, we choose whether or not we become offended. Let that settle on your mind for a
moment. Fend off all the arguments that
arise in the mind to blame others for your reactions. Be honest and admit that we are the ones
who choose our responses.
After we lay that on the foundation of the truth that we are
supposed to love everyone no matter what it takes, we need to practically approach
how we remove distance that is immeasurable in a relationship. We need to decide that this person cannot
offend us. Then we need to see that the “normal”
of no communication is not who we are meant to be. We need to consider that there are simple,
low-risk ways to avoid the risks.
I will be practical for a moment. That person that you saw; find a way to
communicate. If an actual conversation is
unsafe or unwanted, send a letter (this is where you put something on paper,
put it in an envelope, put an address and stamp on it, and mail it.) People used to communicate this way. One could send an email or text. It does not have to be long or complex. It can just be, “Hey, it was nice to see
you. How was the rest of your holiday?”
The point is that the normal of not communicating is not
normal. We are meant to express love and
kindness to others no matter who are what they are. We need to lay aside our offenses, forgive
past wrongs, and find a safe but effective way to keep communication open.
Our society has increasingly taught us to cut people off. It says that we can label them as something
to be avoided rather than someone to be loved. We relegate them to the other end of the big
table or living room a couple of times a year and pretend to be cordial. We label them as toxic or some other socially
acceptable epithet. We carry a low-burning
resentment over past behavior and swear that we have forgiven him or her.
Instead what we are doing is judging every moment of his or
her future based on the past. This, Dear
Reader, is not love. It is carrying offenses. I am not saying that we need to be close to
everyone. I am saying that we need to be
sure that we have done our part. If we
need to do so from a safe distance, do so.
The point is to live every moment with love for others that allows us to
put aside the past and communicate in love.
It is not easy but it is worth it. If it is only a thread, keep the line
of communication open.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every
writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a
homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure
store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Contacts for Aramis Thorn:
#aramisthorn
Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment