Living in Miami has its perks. The weather alone is one of the reasons I love it here, especially during this time of the year. We’re also really close to the water, and seeing that it’s been a dream of mine to live near the ocean for as long as I can remember, well, I can now tick that off my list! I know we’re lucky to be here – trust me!
However, one of the major downsides of living in any city other than Atlanta is that we are far from our family. Both sets of parents and siblings live in Georgia, and sometimes it’s really hard being physically far away from them for months at a time. And even though FaceTime is pretty much the best thing ever, it doesn’t replace the feeling of “being home.”
I figure that many of you can relate to being far from those you love, including extended family and friends, so I’m going to share a little visualization exercise I do a few times a day to help me cope. And as corny (and slightly crazy) as it sounds, it really does help. I promise.
Ok, so all I do is close my eyes and picture each of the people I love (or in some cases, groups of people I love). Then I visualize a little heart with feelings of love and strength attached and basically send it their way. Kind of like blowing a kiss, except I’m blowing a heart. Ha!
*I also do this when I want to send strength, love, and prayers to those going through a tough time. When I say that you’re in my thoughts, I mean that quite literally!
BTW, this is a Parita orginal!
The person who told me about this little exercise believes that the loving energy you send to people actually impacts them in a positive way. And it helps your own energy as well, while strengthening the connection you share with those near and dear to your heart.
Well, after a few months of doing this on a daily basis, I’m a believer. As much as I miss my family and friends, I feel 100 times more thankful that I have people in my life to miss and love that much.
Happy Friday!
Do you live near your family? If not, how often do you see them?
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
January 10, 2014 at 7:29 amAw, my family is far away as well (so is Alex’s) and while FaceTime IS awesome, it’s definitely not the real thing! Love this idea though 🙂
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myinnershakti says
January 12, 2014 at 6:04 pmThanks, Liz! Even though it’s not the real deal, I am SO SO SO thankful for things like FaceTime. Closes the distance gap a little!
Aparna B. says
January 10, 2014 at 8:26 amI LOVE this, Par!! Even though my parents live an hour away, they’re jetsetters and travel almost year-round so I don’t see them as often as I would like or should. My sister is in another state and the rest of my family is scattered around the U.S., with the majority in India. I love the idea of this exercise so much! All you need is love <3
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myinnershakti says
January 12, 2014 at 6:01 pmLove is what makes the world go round! 🙂
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
January 10, 2014 at 9:16 amI am so happy to see this P…just when I came to work this morning, one of my patients passed away and I have been just not feeling good. I will definitely be trying this exercise. Well I have extended families all over US, Australia, and Nepal. My brother is in another state while my parents live majority of their time in Nepal. I see them at least once a year though..
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myinnershakti says
January 12, 2014 at 6:02 pmI’m so sorry to hear that about your patient, D. Sending lots of love your way!
Chelsea @ A Fit LittleOne says
January 10, 2014 at 9:53 amThis is so sweet! I love it :). I still live with my family (still going to school), but I know I will miss them when I move out and move 6 hours away. I know I will definitely be texting my mom like crazy!
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myinnershakti says
January 12, 2014 at 6:03 pmOur family group chat is constantly going. Again, it doesn’t replace the in person interaction, but it’s fun!
Krystal says
January 10, 2014 at 11:28 amThis is such a cute idea. My parents moved down to FL about two years ago now and it’s been a little hard me still being in NY. I see them about 3 times a year which is great but I miss those times just being able to call my mom to go shopping together or just stopping by randomly to see them.
Maybe one day I can move to FL if I could just convince the hubby 🙂
Krystal
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myinnershakti says
January 12, 2014 at 6:05 pmThanks, Krystal! I miss the random weekend visits as well. Oh well, hopefully we’ll both be closer to our families soon. 🙂
honeywhatscooking says
January 10, 2014 at 4:00 pmI once moved to SFO when I was 22 for work… I hated it cause I missed everyone so much, I came running back to the east coast after 3 months. Never again! I think I’m okay as long as it is driving distance.
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myinnershakti says
January 12, 2014 at 6:06 pmSo happy for you that you’re close to family! Makes a world of a difference.
Davida @The Healthy Maven says
January 10, 2014 at 4:03 pmThis is so sweet! I completely understand this feeling. Before moving home I lived in Montreal and New York and I missed my family all.the.time. Even my Mom yelling my name at the top of her lungs haha. Now that I’m home I’m itching for a bit more space but remembering how lost I felt without them at time in MTL and NYC makes me not take them for granted!
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myinnershakti says
January 12, 2014 at 6:07 pmSo true. I miss my mom’s wake up calls – the very thing that used to annoy me so much growing up! Funny how time changes everything!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
January 10, 2014 at 6:32 pmSo I spent a couple of minutes looking for my name in those bubbles…What’s going on, P? huh?
I live closeby my mum (….5 minute drive) and since moving out, our relationship is so much better. Although in less than a week when I move, that will be a 9 hour drive. This post could not have come at a better time. 🙂
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myinnershakti says
January 12, 2014 at 6:07 pmI think your bubble got cut off! Oops. 🙂
Ameena says
January 12, 2014 at 9:46 amI no longer live near my family and it’s hard! But at 37 I think I deal with it a lot better than I thought I would when I was younger. Plus I have Maya and Ali so I guess it’s not too bad. 🙂
FaceTime is not so bad, especially since it keeps Maya busy for a while!
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myinnershakti says
January 12, 2014 at 6:08 pmI guess we deal because we don’t have any other choice…or at least that’s how I look at it! But you’re right, sometimes we have to look at what we do have. So glad I have Vishnu. 🙂
Tejal says
January 12, 2015 at 8:24 amIt’s difficult. For example, I haven’t seen my sister in over a year (excludes FaceTime), & I’ll finally see her at the end of this month! There just aren’t enough words to express what I feel.