Love your family.

It was my brother's 17th birthday yesterday, and in our family it would not be appropriately celebrated if there was not a big family feast, replete with huge bowls of Greek and/or Italian food.




Aside from the mountains of food, we have another tradition on birthdays. It's the type that will probably make you cringe to hear about, but in reality is one of the loveliest things and something that I would love to continue. After we are filled with scrumptious food made by Yayi or Nonna, in that little window of time before the cake is brought out, while we are slothing in our chairs marvelling at the carrying capacities of our stomachs, we go around the table and each of us says something that we love about the birthday boy/girl.

What always strikes me about this little ritual is that I am immediately reminded of just how rarely we share with someone what we truly love about them. And how liberating and connecting it is to do so. So often our exchanges with our families and the people we love are limited to superficial, surface stuff. It takes effort and consideration to step out of that kind of automatic communication, as well as the suspension of that overbearing belief that it's not "cool" to be sentimental or openly, vocally appreciative of those around you.

I think things like this also serve as a beautiful reminder that we are all supported by each other.

I know that personally, I can sometimes feel as if I'm locked in a battle with my mind and my thoughts, that my fears and insecurities are constantly threatening to sabotage my ability to be a loving, kind, content person (and they do). And that can all be really exhausting (as well as hugely disappointing). But when I am surrounded by people who love me and who I love, and we already know all about each other's flaws and "humanness" but accept it as part of the whole, those fears seem to dissolve and I can then feel my own ability to give and care back.

There is a lot of talk about the loss of close community in Western societies and the detrimental effects it has. I believe there is a lot of truth in that. It's one of the many aspects of modern living that contributes to feelings of alienation, isolation and that underlying anxiousness that can be so pervasive in our lives. That's why being part of a family is so important.

And it doesn't have to be 'family' in the traditional sense of mum, dad, two kids and a dog. It's whoever supports you, whoever you can talk to beyond the superficial- be it your colleagues, your partner, your friends. The people that help keep you afloat.

Now that I've had my ramble, how do you feel connected? What little "traditions" do you have to help you take time to appreciate the people you love?