15 Comments

This resonated with me, Mo. When I'm with family, I seem unable to express my needs, particularly for space or time alone. So I end up suppressing, pretending, and privately stewing! 🫣

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Yes stewing is the right word 😃

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What a beautiful and authentic article and your reflections are spot on. No matter how much we believe we have grown and changed then family gatherings come and we are back to our old patterns and coping mechanisms. There is a self fulfilling prophecy that if we become our new selves we might not be loved like before so we subconsciously stick to old patterns.. hope in our next family gathering we can be courageous enough to do that🥰🙏🏻❤️love u loads

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4dEdited

Indeed, family gatherings test our growth and, at the same time, present opportunities for courage and authenticity. Let's see what happens on our next trip. :):):)

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Brilliant, you said it all while we are complaining 🙏🏼

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Mo, I'm so moved by your honesty and willingness to make presence your priority in the New Year. Your Christmas break didn't go as planned, but it's leading to something beautiful.

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Thank you, Sandra!

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This resonates with me. I couldn't keep it together this past Christmas. I promised myself not to engage in arguments about organized religion with my mom but I totally did. Not once, thrice. I will focus on being just as you wrote. Thanks for sharing.

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It’s always tough when we set intentions and then find ourselves caught in the same patterns, especially with family, where emotions often run deep. But the beauty lies in reflecting on those moments and committing to focusing on being—these are already powerful steps forward. It’s a practice, one moment at a time.

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Thanks for sharing Mo! Big hugs. Being aware of being is the gift. Leaping into it here as well. Blessings for 2025!

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Thank you, Jamie! The leap into being is where growth truly unfolds.

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“Learning to respond rather than react” definite work in progress. This is a wonderful piece full of awesome insights. 🩵

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It’s indeed a journey. Thank you, Grace!

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Beautiful self reflection, Mo. I know you will succeed next time life challenges you.

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Thank you, Lauren!

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