3 Spiritual Reasons to Visit Your Family

I’ve discovered that many people either love or hate the holidays. Mainly because they have to visit family or it reminds them of some family drama. Some people love to see family and others dread it. Regardless of which camp you’re in it’s actually good for you on a spiritual level to visit your family. Here’s why:

1. Family tests your identity 

When you are born into a family your initial identity is based on the culture you grew up in, what your family believed of you, the comparison of your siblings or cousins and the memories people had of you based on your actions. Then you grew up, moved away, transformed yourself and your life. But a really interesting thing happens when it comes to family...

Family often sees you exactly the same as you were. They are quick to judge you based on how you used to respond. The key is to hold your center and your new “identity” aka the true you. And it’s often easy to slip back into old patterns when your family can be a strong practice. So family is the perfect test to see if you really have changed for the better after all! 

2. Family tests your ego.

Would you rather be right? Or would you rather be happy. Spirituality is about connection. Can you rise above your ego in any situation and choose whatever will create the most love and harmony? Or do you need to tell your family when they are wrong and you are right? 

Notice when you become angry or annoyed about situations and look deep within to see why. If you are not being treated nicely that’s one thing as everyone deserves respect. But if your family members want to open gifts at midnight and you prefer 9 o’clock, allow what will create the most harmony. Ask yourself? Is it really a big deal? Does it really matter to me? Whenever a disagreement begins to stir. 

2. Family is a great teacher of forgiveness 

Many times old situations and past dramas can get stirred up at the holidays. This is because forgiveness can be a challenge to many people. When you truly forgive you let go and no longer hold an emotional charge about the things in the past that you can no longer change. Forgiveness is a two way street. Meaning you forgive them as well as yourself. You can’t control if someone will forgive you but you can do your part by saying sorry and asking for forgiveness. This humble act goes a long way. 

If you notice in your family some emotions stirring over past things be the peace maker and offer the beautiful Hawaiian prayer, “I love you. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you.” May you have the courage to forgive and know that you are set free when you do. May your energy be focused on creating the new versus reliving the past.

3. Family is a spiritual practice 

It was Ram Das who said something to the affect of “If you think you’re enlightened, go home to visit your family.” Family is a strong trigger for everyone. We have strong karmic ties with our family, many times living many past lives with them. There are dynamics that are very emotionally charged because the origin began in previous lives.

The good news here is that we are here to heal, grow, evolve and ascend old ways of being and embody the loving beings that we truly are. All the spiritual work you do in your life like yoga, meditation, sound healings, spiritual books. working with healers and coaches prepare you for the moments when you go to see your family. 

Because the truth is that spirituality is not about home many minutes your meditate or how many yoga poses you can do. It’s about how much love and compassion you can be in every moment.

I wish you all a beautiful time with your family and friends this holiday season and I trust this blogpost served you well in the moments that may challenge you. Remember choose love and to be happy over all other things!