Welcome to a new week!
I know it’s a long weekend for most of us. So, I’m going to keep this short and sweet. There’s something I needed to remind myself and I figured if I needed to remember it, maybe we all do.
Welcome to The LIFT
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HOW SOON WE FORGET
It’s Memorial Day weekend. Time to welcome summer, take advantage of the sales and maybe for a moment remember the meaning behind this national holiday.
As crazy as our world can be, it’s important to slow down and take pause. To remember our good fortune and those who gave their lives to protect it.
I’ve never had a particular tradition around this holiday. While my husband and I both have parents who were in the military at some point in their lives, we have never lost a family member in service - not in recent generations anyway.
My one and only nephew was just deployed a few weeks ago and had to say goodbye to his wife and newborn son for the next six months. It’s a big ask to pull people from their loved ones the way military service does. Maybe that’s why this year I feel a need to remember and reflect on what this holiday is all about.
For all of those who lost their lives in service, we owe it to them to take pause. To honor their sacrifice. And to reflect on the reasons that required them to step in harm’s way in the first place. Don’t you think?
We need to make sure we are living a life and building a community and a country worth defending.
After the last few years and all of the division we have felt in our social and family circles, it might be time to allow some healing.
I was talking with a friend this week who expressed that her extended family is just now starting to heal from some very challenging conflicts that took place during the pandemic between family members. Wedges that were created and are finally starting to loosen. It’s not easy, but it’s necessary. We all have a lot we need to release so we can repair, reconnect and heal.
I don’t have the answers for this, but I do know that it starts with taking moments like this holiday to stop and remember that we are all on the same side. The side that believes in freedom and liberty. The side that honors and respects those who gave their lives to protect those rights for us.
I hope you’ll join me in doing that this weekend. Will you?
If trauma can be passed down through generations, then so can healing.
All the healing you’re doing will not go unnoticed or unappreciated by the generations to come that will be softened by all you’ve held and healed.
A woman who heals herself heals her daughter, her mother and heals every woman around her.
The generations to come only know the sweetness and softness of life from all the pain you transmuted into beauty.
Our healing is in no way small or insignificant, we are changing the fabric of life.
YOUR MISSION:
This week, I challenge you to notice where you can offer just a bit of healing in your relationships that suffered as a result of the pandemic and the politics of recent years. Can you offer one small gesture to release some of the hurt or disappointment in exchange for healing?
If we all did just that, we might start something truly memorable.
IN SUMMARY:
I feel a deep sense of gratitude for those who gave their lives in service to our country and hope that I can make that sacrifice worth it by showing up as a better citizen - especially in the months ahead as we enter this election cycle. There are so many ways we can play a part, but it all starts in remembering what we’re striving for and why.
See you next week?
Meanwhile, reach out to me anytime!
Karen Friend Smith
Certified Health Coach & Environmental Health Specialist
Specializing in Perimenopause & Menopause
karen@itmaybemenopause.com
www.itMayBeMenopause.com
Instagram: @itmaybemenopause
A beautiful reminder offered at an important time. In fact, I cannot remember when there has been an UN-important time when this message would not apply. Thank you for the reminder to focus on healing. Beautifully said. I’m proud of you! (From Mom) ❣️
Sending prayers for our Wubbie and all our military near and far! Good article Karen! ❤️