Gaining Perspective from My Daughter

The holidays are always a busy time with family.  And, as all families know, family time tends to have its share of disagreements, conflict, and hurt feelings.  Being true to this phenomenon, we had our share of arguments over the holidays.  We had just spent a couple of days talking about a specific conflict that had occurred between two teenage cousins.  When this conflict had been brought up yet again, my 13 year-old daughter passionately said, "I'm so sick of everyone putting everyone else down and talking badly about others!  Can't we just get along and stop being so negative?!"

Her emphatic statement immediately shut down my inquiry into the argument and what she had overheard.  It made me pause and reflect.  And then I said, "How right you are.  We are who we are. We need to accept and love each other for who we are!"  Her perspective ended any further comments about the argument or the personalities of the two cousins involved.

It is a shame that negative thoughts and actions seem to come out so readily when with family. Why do we behave our worst with the ones we love the most?  Love and acceptance would definitely stop many of those conflicts.

May we all learn to accept and love each other for who we are.

Wishing you peace and acceptance for 2016!
SG

Motivational Moment:

The same daughter referenced in this blog has a beautifully creative mind and loves reading and writing.  She also has an eye for beauty.  Today's Motivational Moment, as well as today's blog, is dedicated to her.  These are pictures she took after school one day while waiting for me to pick her up.

Love and Hugs,
SG