Thoughtful Daily Post - Best Seasonal Thoughts Contest

avatar
(Edited)

Thoughtfuldailypost2.png

@wesphibin

Thoughtful Daily Post - Best Seasonal Thoughts Contest

The holiday season is upon us in the U.S. This is the time to celebrate until the end of the year various traditions. It's all about family.

A few months ago, I redecorated my dining room and needed a picture to hang on one of the walls. I found the most beautiful canvas that literally spoke to me, so I purchased it. It was perfect for my space and my state of mind at the time because it read:
DiningRoomPlaque.jpg

The reason this canvas spoke to me was because I hadn't spoken to a few extended family members for almost a year. To say I was busy is only an excuse. I just didn't want to deal with their way of life as I see it. And since the holidays were fast approaching, I thought it would be the perfect time to lay petty differences aside. I thought about my recent diagnosis of Diabetes and other things going on in my life, I wanted to find out how they were doing health wise. Not only that, but also see if any of them had other issues they were dealing with.

I know that several family members are dealing with Diabetes, so I was thinking that maybe I would give them some tips on information I found out while doing my November Diabetes Awareness Month. We have a family history of the disease, so I just wanted to see how they were progressing and if they were following their doctors' orders. In the past, they had a habit of not doing what they needed to stay healthy. But they are still family, so I wanted to give them some holiday cooking tips I just learned. Also, I wanted to see if they needed any other assistance.

I have two family members whose Diabetes has progressed further than mine. One had a foot amputated. I didn't realize how extremely important it is to care for your feet with Diabetes.

But we had a disagreement about an issue a few years ago. I haven't kept in close contact with them as I should. Last week, I called to check on them. They expressed that they were happy to hear from me. They indicated that traveling was difficult, so they wouldn't be able to visit during the holidays. So now I'm up-to-date on how they are handling their various illness. After speaking with them, I felt relieved that they are at least maintaining their health. I would have hated for something to have happened, and I hadn't made any type of contact.

So my seasonal thought is this:

If your family lives close, invite them over to spend some time together. Even if you know they may not come, invite them anyway. Just the idea that you wanted them to come and be a part of your immediate family gathering will help encourage them to know you're thinking about them.
danielebuso2i4cHjQyMwYunsplash.jpg
Source1

If your family members live out of town, just give them a call to say that you were thinking about them and wanted to hear their voice. My family members out of town will be the first ones on my Christmas card list with a special message and something extra to help with medications, etc.
anniesprattZeTlWEBzHHounsplash.jpg
Source2

My wish is that everyone has the chance to experience life, love, family, joy, peace, and happiness this holiday season.
Happy Holiday.png

Made in Canva by @justclickindiva

beltline.png

Thanks,
@justclickindiva

Happy rest of the week everyone with whatever you are working on.


SOURCES:
a) JustClickin logo created at CoolText.Com
b) Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by me with my (i) Samsung Galaxy 10" Tablet, (ii) Samsung Phone, & (iii) FUJI FinePix S3380 - 14 Mega Pixels Digital Camera
c) Purple Butterfly part of purchased set of Spiritual Clip Art for my Personal Use
d) Separator Lines Free ClipArt Belt from Public Domain Vectors & ShadedLine from ClipArt-Library
e) All Tribe logos used with permission of Tribe Discord Channel admins.
1 Source1 Image by Daniele Buso of Unsplash
2 Source2 Image by Annie Spratt of Unsplash

lineseparator.png

lineseparator.png

I SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING GROUPS:



Freewritehouse-footer-500px.png


SteemTerminalBanner.jpg




0
0
0.000
64 comments
avatar

Beautiful thoughts for the holidays. 😊😊 keeping in touch with difficult family members can be tough. I should know as I'm dealing with one right now. Perhaps when the right time comes, all will be well. Until then I could only 🙏🙏🙏 for the best. Happy holidays! Good luck on your entry 😉👍

Posted using Partiko Android

0
0
0.000
avatar

Thanks for taking the time to read my post. Yes, it is difficult. I've been dealing with it for many years off and on. One can't choose their family. You have to deal with them. Some are easy, and some take a little more work. You don't have to be in their space every day, but just let them know you're thinking about their well-being.

I will check on my family a bit more frequently now knowing their different issues and help when I want to and have available resources to spare. Some try to take advantage of your kindness, but you can't let that stop you. You have to stand firm.

Sometimes all may never be well. Such is life. I have learned that you can't fix everyone and every problem of others. You have to step out of the way and usually they will work it out. My hubby has a saying that just cracks me up, "Get out of the way and let grown folks be grown."

And special prayers for them. Hope it helps in the long run.

0
0
0.000
avatar

That's a very meaningful and truthful canvas that you found for your dining room; something that will definitely make people think about how important those ideals are to living a happy, fulfilling life. Very well written!

0
0
0.000
avatar
(Edited)

Thank you @free-reign. I always have to remember to take care of my health first and my needs before worrying about others. It took a long for me to do just that.

But now, I only wish everyone the happiest and fulfilling life they can have under any circumstances. That's the best I can do.

0
0
0.000
avatar

@justclickindiva,

This is a WONDERFUL entry for my #bestseasonalthoughts contest! (don't forget I was wanting this tag included:))

Thank you for joining in!

@alliedforces curate2
@tipu curate

0
0
0.000
avatar

Thanks so much. I forgot when reading the directions. I have attempted to change tags before and the system wouldn't let me.

0
0
0.000
avatar

No worries, my friend... we've interacted about it... your submission was wonderful... thank you!

0
0
0.000
avatar

Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
TIBLogo

You have been curated by @wesphilbin on behalf of Inner Blocks: a community encouraging first hand content, with each individual living their best life, and being responsible for their own well being. #innerblocks Check it out at @innerblocks for the latest information and community updates, or to show your support via delegation.
0
0
0.000
avatar

Congratulations @justclickindiva! You have completed the following achievement on the Steem blockchain and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :

You received more than 4000 upvotes. Your next target is to reach 5000 upvotes.

You can view your badges on your Steem Board and compare to others on the Steem Ranking
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word STOP

You can upvote this notification to help all Steem users. Learn how here!

0
0
0.000
avatar

What a wonderful #thoughtfuldailypost this is! Bravo! 😊

0
0
0.000
avatar

@thekittygirl. Thanks for viewing my post. Appreciate your kind words. I totally forgot to use the tag he really wanted in the post @bestseasonalthoughts. But we connected. Next time, I'll be more careful to follow instructions.

Have a wonderful holiday season for you and your family.

0
0
0.000
avatar

A beautiful sentiment to be shared over the festive season hon and you are absolutely right... keeping that connection with family is really important... even when you don't always see eye to eye.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Hi @jaynie. Thanks for taking the time to view my post. You are right. You can't choose your family. You live with them the best you can. As I was telling @iamraincrystal, some are easy, some are hard. It's the ones who are difficult that needs more work. I can't solve all their problems, but I can learn to listen with patience, when in the past, they frustrated me to the point I didn't want to hear what they had to say. Keep doing the same things wrong and expecting a different result was just too much for me to handle. So I didn't want to deal with them.

But the are family. I have learned to be a bit more patient to the point I can listen to them, give advice, then move on.

Have a wonderful holiday season.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Well said and even better having been put into action. At the end of the day, this extends way beyond family. People are way too quick to cast others aside, or to judge and discard them - and yet, if they merely tried to be more receptive to the fact that we are all completely unique individuals, they may eventually come to really enjoy and cherish those differences as they are all a part of how we learn.

0
0
0.000
avatar
(Edited)

Yes, it does extend beyond family to extended family, friends, and acquaintances. We are all unique in what we bring to the table. And I've learned that it doesn't make one's thoughts or actions less valuable than mine.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Seems like something to live by and hold up as a way of being...

0
0
0.000
avatar

Great write and the tag by @wesphilbin rocks

0
0
0.000
avatar

Thanks for your kind words. Yes, it was a great tag for this holiday season. It makes you stop and think about what is important in your life. Appreciate your comment. Take care.

0
0
0.000
avatar

I congratulate you for winning the contest. I think your message was beautiful.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Hi @carolinacardoza. I appreciate you stopping by to view my post. Appreciate your comments. Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season. Take care.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Holidays are good to help heal family wounds. It is incredible what time and distance can do to petty differences. There's a point where one does not even remember the source of conflict.
In venezuela, because of the crisis, we can't even visit relatives who live in the same city, let alone travel out of town. Something as simple as sharing a meal has becomes impossible for most. Technology has helped, though. Most people try to bridge distances with phone apps and social media sites. Artificial as that might be, it is better than nothing.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Hi @hiezama. Thanks for viewing my post and leaving your comment. I find that many people deal with the same type of family situation. I didn't realize how the crisis where you live have affected many families. I hope the situation calms soon.

Family is so important to me. I love my immediate family and can't imagine being without them. I know you feel the same. Hope you and your family can touch base with each other this holiday season some way or another.

Take care of yourself and stay safe.

0
0
0.000
avatar

The canvas you bought has a great message, @justclinindiva. I’m glad you are connecting with some family members who have been absent from your life for awhile. This is the season to spread some cheer!
Take care of yourself And best wishes of the season! 🙏 💗

0
0
0.000
avatar

Hi @redheadpei. Yes, I was looking for a red and black picture to go with my dining room decor. But really couldn't find what I wanted. When I saw the canvas, it almost made me cry the message was so beautiful. I couldn't resist buying it.

Thanks so much for taking the time to view my post. I appreciate it. And best wishes for the season to you and your family.

0
0
0.000
avatar

I so agree with you..
Time with family is so important.
For me, they are very far from me because I decided to take up a job far away.
A big sacrifice but for them

0
0
0.000
avatar

Hi @ireenchew. Thanks for taking the time to read my post. Yes, it is difficult when you live far away from each other. But the most important thing is to keep in touch just to let them know you are thinking about them. Social media has made that easier now if you can't come for a visit.

Appreciate your comments.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Truly. This spoke to me and probably many others. I have refused to let differences in family impact my relationships.

In this, I mean that I have been wronged by members of the extended family, whether by choice or chance, but, I never let it stop the dialogue between us. It is understood by me long ago that if I have headbanging with one of my siblings, the others will want to take sides in the matter. I come from a large family of 0 kids and big families tend to be a little louder and more rambunctious with their discussions. LOL

Great post and yes!!! I love the way you put your words.

!tip

0
0
0.000
avatar

hi @dswigle. Wow, what can I say. Yes, there are cliques within cliques when in a large family, lol. It's so funny to see. There is a lot I left out of my post due to the circumstances of the differences. And Yes, I too experienced wrong doing, etc. all the usual musings of a large family. But I realized many years ago, that when you stand your ground, don't take sides, listen to all, they realize you are a person of character in your convictions and can't be swayed. Did I get tired of dealing with all the drama, YES indeed. That's when I step away for a while to collect myself.

But as you say, you can't let disagreements stop you from communicating with family. I admit I did that. Partly because I had my own issues of health and other matters to deal with. Those instances, you don't have time to concentrate on the pettiness of others.

As I've gotten older though, I seem to have acquired more patience. I try not to complain to others because they can't help me. But I'm able to tolerate more things, so I'm trying now to keep a more open line of communication.

Thanks for your post and your kind words and insight. I appreciate you stopping by and viewing my post. The more I engage with others, the more I see people dealing with similar issues.

Have a great holiday season, and take care.

0
0
0.000
avatar

And of course, I meant 9 other kids, not 0.

What you say is true! The more you interact, the more we are all the same.

0
0
0.000
avatar

I was thinking there were 10, lol and what great get-togethers you all must have had!

0
0
0.000
avatar

Family members can be some of the most difficult to keep an open dialogue with; I think in large part it's due to that "anything goes" with family, and anything can, and should, be able to be said without fear of retaliation. Within reason, of course - once insults start flying (as they often do with some of my own family), it can be difficult to resume even friendly chat. You are right, though, it is a very important thing to do. Good for you for doing it.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Thanks @wwwiebe. Yes, it was difficult. But you don't have to spend an hour talking because eventually something will be said, and there you go...rehashing it again. Just a 15 - 30 minute conversation to get caught up on their lives without puling out the violin. No matter what type of family you have, everybody got one that you can roll you eyes and look away from.

While trying to find a slogan for our family reunion one year, I ran across a popular say that "a family is made up of some wonderful people, with a few nuts mixed in." So appropro.

I appreciate you taking the time to stop by and view my post. Have a great day.

0
0
0.000
avatar

You touched my heart with your post. We should always have time for family. Put aside the grudges because we don't know if we have time to tell them how much we love them.

0
0
0.000
avatar

@antoniarhuiz, you are correct in that we never know if we will get another chance to say what we should have. That's why I decided to change my way of thinking.

Thanks for your input and for viewing my post. Much appreciated.

0
0
0.000
avatar

I only have one elder sister left my friend and we are in regular contact so family is not an issue for me. My children are too far away, but we talk often so everything is cool this side Thankfully!
Blessings!

0
0
0.000
avatar

Hi @papilloncharity. You are lucky to have a close knit family. Communication is the key to any relationship. So keep up the good work. Happy holiday cheers to you for the remainder of the year.

0
0
0.000
avatar
(Edited)

Thank you and as usual no holiday for us my friend , as normally December is a very busy time for charities. So many poor people are hurting at this time.
May you and yours have a great time though and good that you are chatting with the family!
Blessings!

0
0
0.000
avatar

So sorry to hear about your diabetes! My hubby's had type 1 since he was 7 and he'll be 70 next year! He's actually much healthier and looks younger than many of his peers so I'm sure you going to be fine. I wrote about it some time back.

Posted using Partiko Android

0
0
0.000
avatar

Hi @lizelle. Wow, since he was 7 years old. Amazing. did he limit sweets as a child? That's the hardest thing for me.

I understood before I knew anything about the disease that if you get it as a child, it's much harder on you as an adult.

0
0
0.000
avatar
(Edited)

Oh he often speaks how he sometimes used to open a can of sweetened condensed milk and gorge on it with dire consequences! Fortunately he was very active and sports mad and that helped him a lot. I have such a sweet tooth, would find it really hard not having any sweet stuff! Take care of yourself!
He really manages very well but has been seeing a diabetic specialist for many years.

0
0
0.000
avatar

OMG, @lizelle. I can understand though. I always knew I had something because of my desire for sweets. chocolate in particular. I used to purchase desserts just for the icing and throw the items away.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Family is everything. Thanks for sharing this with us!

0
0
0.000
avatar

Hi @sgbonus. Yes, it is. We just have to learn how to deal with them as individuals because each one is unique and has something to offer.

0
0
0.000
avatar

That is truly wonderful that you are reaching out, and trying to make amends with your family members. @justclickindiva. We never know what twists and turns our lives may take, or how much time we have in this earth. I am a firm believer that leaving grudges behind and keeping a clear conscience is good for our relationships and mental health. Old wounds can never heal, otherwise, and we can lose the chance to make up with those we love.

0
0
0.000
avatar
(Edited)

Yes, @jayna. it relieves stress from you not to hold in bad feelings over a period of time. Appreciate you stopping by and viewing my post. Life is short, and I see now that wasting it on petty differences is a waste of my time and effort.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Holidays with the family is really hard to put together. Everyone has their own thing these days. Weird as it may seem my childhood recollection during holidays, there were a lot of relatives a family members around. Generations change and connection lost somewhere between the years.

0
0
0.000
avatar

hi @watersnake101. You are right. Even in my family, the kids are off doing their own thing sometimes and have other in-laws to visit. So we just wait our turn. I look at it as a breather from entertaining, lol.

Thanks for taking the time to view my post. I appreciate it.

0
0
0.000