Blood & Ink: Family Time

"If you think you're enlightened, go spend a week with your family."

– Ram Dass

I just spent 24+ hours travelling from the isolated jungle mountains of Costa Rica to the snow-bitten suburban streets of Toronto, Canada…

…to spend about 10 days with my family.

And, like, DAMN!?

I find it unbelievable how easy it is to slip into old habits and forgotten identities. Every time I return the EB of 10 years ago bounces right back up in front of me. Better parts of me pull a facepalm and are like… “have we learned nothing these past several years?”

It's fascinating how quickly it happens. It seems that no one can push your buttons like your family can.

But, that also keeps the door open for beauty, love, and deep connection. These relationships matter to me. And that’s what I’m here for.

It’s been 10 months since I last saw my parents. 1.5 years since I was last in Toronto. 3+ years since I’ve had a white, snowy winter season.

I want to show myself, and I want to show those I love, what has changed. Who I am. What I care about. Where I’m going.

It’s not always perfect. I can bite my tongue a lot because I haven’t yet figured out the ‘ideal’ way to communicate something. Holding the messy, goopy, dynamic tension in intimate conversation has always been a challenge. Been a challenge for my family too. Let’s see if we can do a bit of work on that in the next few days.

There’s a beautiful balance you can strike, between holding firm to who you are and your values, and not needing to shove it down everyone’s throat to bolster your unstable center of identity.

Patience. Compassion. Love.

Enjoy the weekend,
EB.