Tis the season..
Every year the holidays come around without fail. It always brings up a lot for folks. We are trained at a young age this is the time of year that has to be special. We must have special food, gifts, and attitudes. Above all it is about family. But usually it becomes toxic. Don’t say how you feel, or think about issues - we just need this moment to be nice, so we can all be together. Yet, if we actually wanted to be ‘together’ wouldn’t we want to know each others hearts and minds a bit better?
After the election results of 2024 a lot of folks have decided to withdraw themselves from their family units letting go of tradition and routine and choosing safety, and prioritizing their own mental and emotional wellness. I don’t blame them. Yet, when we as individuals truly prioritize our health, and it ostracizes folks in our lives…instead of being met with curiosity, we are usually met with criticism. For a ‘special’ time of year surrounded around gifts and gratitude I encourage the gift of curiosity. Asking for it, and giving it freely. Even if it is not given to us easily. We must continue to teach all of those in our lives ethical ways of coexisting with one another.
We have forgotten the reason for this time of year. Our rituals of hanging lights, bringing nature indoors, exchanges of gifts… This is all for the soulstice. The darkest time of the year in the Northern Hemisphere is upon us. Lets bring light into our rooms, and our families, chosen and born to. Lets remember that nature is our greatest healer besides ourselves. And above all else, gratitude. The gifts we have recieved this cycle of life, and the gifts of our failures.
2024 was a pivotal year for myself. I made so many mistakes. I felt my stability and earth crumble beneath me. I lost friends, family, and business partners. I feared for my family and selfs future. Yet, in spite of every event, and all of the grief I carried somehow I am here, still, and honestly better.
My father passed in late 2023 and it rocked my foundation. I got lost in grief. It affected everything, especially my business, and my marriage. In early 2024 I felt I was on a ledge about to lose everything. How did I survive? I have no idea. I know I asked for help. Through community, my partner, and professionals. I pulled up my big girl pants and learned a lot of what i took personally, was not the case. And slowly, with time, and extreme effort, I began to see that no matter what the outcome, even the worst case scenario… I would still be loved. I would still be me.
My work now, in my personal life, and professional, is learning that even if folks dont agree, or see what I see- I am safe. I do not need to constantly live in survival mode. I don’t need to focus on what i do or do not have. Instead, I can choose to hang up some lights in the dark. I can make my grief and losses apart of my beauty. I can celebrate my movements, physical and metaphysical no matter how small or great. I can attempt to see what others do, instead of my inner critic.
It is not easy work…
Yet this life we live is not for anyone else. It is for us. Of us. And how we show up for others? Its to honor our own lives, so then we can have enough light to share with the ones who love, understand, and freely give curiosity to us regularly. I am not a religous person, but I believe in faith. I have faith in myself. That my continued effort in grace and learning with help my daughters in their future. I have faith in humans. That we all want and need community. I have faith more of us will accept the darkness so we can celebrate the lights in our life even more. I have faith that no matter the outcome, we can still find our earth, and be safe. Looking ahead, it doesn’t seem easy. But I, myself, will continue to follow the energy and the signs put in front of me on my path. And I have faith you, will as well.
I am wishing you joy, light, continued growth, reflection, and lessons from the failures, and ultimately safety.
With so much love, and honest gratitude for your support.
Cameron Lacy