A thin mist is in the morning air every bit fog hovers over the shimmering water. Distant pino trees are lined up perfectly similar proud tin soldiers, though their usual green colour appears equally a muted blue gray.

In the distance, across the trees, the sun is gradually peeking through over the Atlantic Ocean every bit its pink rays reach out in all directions, equally though a chorus of "Hallelujah" is about to be played at the moment of sunrise this Christmas Eve morning.

In that location's a subtle audio of water sloshing against the sides of the dock, and the pinging of rocking sailboat masts in the marina around me is singing out with the rhythm of the moving h2o.

I'grand enjoying coffee, sunrise, and warm air from the shore overlooking a big bay, a distant island, and the body of water as we visit family in Florida for Christmas.

I have to admit something I'thou not very proud of.

I was not really looking forward to spending the holidays with family. Though information technology should be a joy-filled fourth dimension, and information technology is, it tin likewise be filled with angst because of a few family problems that never seem to go abroad.

We all take family issues … they cannot be avoided.

The dynamics of unlike personalities, new family members imported and bringing different traditions and expectations, clashing styles, unhealed wounds, unrealized potential, frustrations, arguments, aging parents, health, and the tensions of Christmas are all part of that family unit dynamic.

Why, and so, with all these problems, practice families get together?

Why not merely avoid all the drama, the people who don't live up to our expectations, the people who annoy united states of america? Later on all, in the residuum of our lives, if there are people who behave badly or don't alive up to our ethics, we simply avoid them.

Estranged Family

I know there are families who exercise non gather considering of their wounds. I know of families estranged. I have friends who have lost communication with one of their sons because an overly protective, domineering spouse decided they are evil people. The parents see things differently, and only the actors in this play know the real story. Yet hearts are breaking because the child they raised, and a new grandchild they've never met, are no longer in their lives.

I'd like to say this could never happen to me with my own children, but only time volition tell, I suppose. We're still dealing with high school and have a lot of life ahead of usa, God willing. Yet I've seen it in my own life in other ways because people cling to the past, to a moment when we've said or washed something, perhaps out of love, perhaps out of anger, maybe with practiced intentions, maybe not. So avoidance is the best medicine, or so we think. Yet unresolved issues are begging to be resolved, and hearts continue to intermission. It's so insane.

Vacation Magic

The magic of Christmas, or Hanukkah, or Thanksgiving, or Easter, or whatever moments our families assemble, is that we are reunited, we reconnect, nosotros suspension bread together, and we hope to put our issues aside for a few moments to honor the skilful memories of the past. It's a time of miracles.

A Cursory Moment of Sanity

On Christmas Eve 1914, during the First World War, German language and British soldiers who were hunkered down in the frozen mud of the trenches put their differences aside and walked out between the battle lines, and played football — in accolade of Christmas, the one affair they held in common. Though they didn't share a common linguistic communication, they laughed, shared food and drink, and and so, when the fourth dimension came, returned to their function of killing ane another.

Though it seems odd that they could find a brief spot of joy in the midst of horrific devastation, they chosen a truce in honor of Christmas. None of them were at that place because they wanted to be; they were at that place because of differences between leaders they would never meet and countries in which they had no say in decisions about war.

At Christmas, families should call a truce.

Though disagreements and uncomfortable moments will happen, we can create a truce in honor of the institution of family unit. A bail bigger than our issues. A chance to savour the dynamic of the whole, not the individual.

Christmas is a chance to heal. The mere existence of Christmas is rooted in the birth of a Savior who taught forgiveness. Whether or not that'south your accept on the holiday, forgiveness is never a bad matter (after the discomfort of making information technology happen).

Anticipation and Malaise

So here I am in Florida, about to spend a few days surrounded past people I dear, some I like very much, and some I tolerate or who tolerate me. Nosotros tin choose our friends, but our family was chosen for u.s.. Sometimes I have to work hard to keep my mouth shut, to be not-judgmental, to be civil, because I'm equally imperfect as those around me.

Some, I know, say this is a time to resolve the issues of the by, when the family is all together. Though all things need resolution and opportunities to practice so should exist taken, in that location is too magic in just putting issues to the side and trying to take a good time commencement. From those good times, possibly healing tin can brainstorm every bit we realize perhaps this or that person isn't so bad after all. Not every moment together has to be a battle to resolve old wounds.

Envision Christmas every bit It Should Exist

My friend Lee Milteer, who trains people in life and business, reminds u.s.a. that we go what we visualize. I take found information technology to be truthful. If I am headed to a meeting and I rehearse positive outcomes and verbal details in my mind kickoff, things tend to turn out the mode I envisioned them.

So why not envision Christmas as a time when wounds are healed, when bygones are truly bygones, when joy overcomes all bug?

I'1000 ofttimes tempted to wait the worst, but tonight, as my family gathers, I'one thousand walking in fully prepared to expect the all-time.

Stop Judging, Offset Listening

My task isn't to judge others. Everyone has their reasons for their issues, and rather than judging and responding, my way of honoring Christmas is to open my arms, receive people as they are, be open, and listen. And if any decide to dip into their anger near the by, I'm not going to fight back or become sucked in, I'thou but going to be there and accept the joy of being with those I love. Recollect my motto: no drama.

What about you? What is your expectation?

Possibly if you expect the best, the best volition happen.

Merry Christmas.

Eric

PS: I demand to have a moment to say a few words of gratitude to some people. First, my wife, who tolerates the worst of me, which no one else ever sees. 2d, to my triplet teenagers, who offer unconditional love between hormonal rages. Third, to my supportive family members and parents; I'm blest to have all of you in my life. Next, to my team at Streamline, who work then unbelievably difficult and then nosotros tin make people'south lives improve past helping them discover the many products, magazines, newsletters, and training nosotros offering. And, last but not least, to my friends who read this blog, and who attend our events and consume our magazines and videos. Thank you. Only this week, thanks to Fine Fine art Studio Online, we've added 41,000 boosted readers. That was very generous of them to offer. And PleinAir remains the #one selling art magazine in America (Barnes & Noble), for which I'thou grateful. And the Plein Air Podcast , I but learned, is up to 158,000 listens after but a year, with about 18,000 per episode. Though my head wants to dandy, I'm totally humbled.