Today I want to take a moment and be thankful for those who are in my life. Valentine's Day is becoming less and less a day celebrating romantic relationships and one that celebrates love. Love for your closest friends and family, love for that significant other you have in your life, and also love for yourself.
Celebrating Love in All of Our Relationships
The most difficult thing about love is, vulnerability. Before you can even be open to loving someone else, you have to face your own vulnerabilities. I recently read a book called Daring Greatly by Brené Brown, which talks exclusively on this subject. And you will not believe how far it goes! It is an amazing resource and anyone who is interested in digging deeper in this arena, I definitely recommend that you read Brown's work.
As Brown puts it,
"Vulnerability is the core, the hearth, the center of meaningful human experiences."
As I pointed out in 2017 Trends embracing authenticity, has been a virtue that has been showing itself in the trends for art and design for the past couple of years. We are longing for empathetic relationships that allow us to feel connected and a sense of belonging.
One of the first steps to being vulnerable and being able to accept and give love is gratitude.
To embrace the imperfections of those around you or to see the beauty of the moment before us, one must acknowledge how truly grateful we are to have these people and moments in our life. Even in the simple, ordinary moments in our lives there is boundless joy, and instead of running from that joy, fully experience it! Cultivate moments of gratitude. For me this comes in the form of prayer or meditation, usually in those small ordinary moments that I just mentioned. Sometimes when your emotions feel too much to bear, that's because you are truly living through your feelings. Lean into it, share your thoughts and feelings. It will only make you stronger.
What does vulnerability and love have to do with design?
Simply put, everything.
In order to make something and put it out in the world you have to open to criticism and hurt. It takes strength to be open and to pour love into your work, and the best work stems from working through personal hurt and fear.
So embrace your unique imperfections today, and love on everyone in your life!
Happy Valentine's Day <3
* All images and design layouts are created by and for Emanate Design unless stated otherwise. Please give credit for anything you pull or give reference to. Thanks! *