Protect Yourself at Dysfunctional Family Gatherings
Coach and author Suzanne Falter-Barns notes that “Not all of us are blessed with families of origin that really honor our unique creative gifts… some are even downright hostile about them.
“We may love these folks in a visceral way, even when they kick sand on their dreams, and if that’s the case, we need support. You know what I mean if you’ve ever been mercilessly teased over turkey for that thing you do that nobody else in the family can relate to.
“Or if you get questions like ‘Are you STILL just writing?’ The problem is that many of us grew up with unique gifts, all the while surrounded by people who were either jealous of them, didn’t understand them, or were threatened by them.”
From her article How to Protect Your Dream at Dysfunctional Family Get-Togethers.
[The image is from Home for the Holidays (1995), directed by Jodie Foster.]
