Family...

Our 2016th year on Earth is slowly (or maybe for you - very quickly!) wrapping up, as we prepare to spend time with family for the holidays. Today, as I sit with my husband and new puppy both napping on the couch next to me, it feels like the perfect time to contemplate this idea of family.

Family actually has many definitions according to Google: "a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household," "all the descendants of a common ancestor," or "a group of people united in criminal activity" - what?! It was interesting to see how our culture and evolving times have changed and expanded this concept of family. From the "Mom - Dad - married with - two children" norm of many years ago to the definition below that I resonated with the most. 

Family... "A person or people related to one (ie. me), and so to be treated with a special loyalty or intimacy." 

The word related offers such an expansive way to see family connections. It doesn't necessarily have to happen through blood or marriage any more. While our siblings, parents, cousins, grandparents, in-laws, etc. all can be primary / family relationships in our lives... so can the people we "relate" to through our hearts. And those people might not meet society's definitions for family, but the feeling of love is so real and powerful that there's really no other word that captures their importance to us - "to be treated with a special loyalty or intimacy."

For me, the holiday "family" time started last night when two of my favorite friends drove in from New York with their puppy to spend just one night here and then continue on to Chicago to be with their family for a few days. We had a few hours to chat late last night when they arrived and then a few hours again this morning before they left. And my heart was smiling and dancing with joy the whole time! We watched our dogs connect and play, shared stories, talked about next year's goals, and felt the pleasure of being with those you love who just "get you." The best of gifts! 

In this busy world where we rely on technology to help us all stay connected, there is still nothing better (in my opinion) than being live with your family, cuddling on the couch, seeing their eyes and expressions right in front of you, and feeling hearts connecting. May we all be gifted with more of those moments!

As we wrapped up 2016, it also felt important to honor the support of my husband, Brad, who has been my rock and cheerleader through a year filled with stretching and expanding my Soul! You can meet him on this week's Healing Our Souls episode, and see why I find him so amazing. 

We will be gathering as "family" for our weekly Viben call, but on Monday, December 26th at 10am ET instead of Sunday, to honor the holiday weekend.This is the last week of the month when you can bring a guest for free, so please invite a friend and expand peace in our communities. 

Thank you for being part of my family during this powerful and beautiful year. I wish you a magical holiday time with your family!

"Divine Teacher, Beloved Friend, I bow to you Again and Again
Lotus sitting on the water, beyond all time and space, this is your way, this is your grace." ~ Ong Namo

Vivienne Gerard - Healer / Guide / Lover of Souls and Humanity 
Clearing Past Patterns to Co-Create an Empowered NOW
Join me on My Soul Journey on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter.

---