Fabric Which Binds Us..

If you're like me, or for that matter.. most people.. when you open your closet door each morning, you do a quick scan of your clothes looking for your favorite shirt. You systematically rummage through your dresser seeking your most comfortable pants. Its not really anything we give much thought about.. and yet.. its an extension of your subconscious self. Its important to be comfortable. Confidence is a direct reflection of what you see in the mirror. That cocoon is your personal armor against whatever the day may choose to challenge you with.. and we all know.. some days are better than others.

Now when it comes to clothes, just like people, there are a variety of fabrics, textiles, patterns and designs to satisfy just about every conceivable fancy. Some people are satin & lace, others are leather. There are those that are flannel.. denim.. wool.. cotton.. polyester. Lets not forget silk, spandex or suede. Tweed - twill - or velvet... cashmere and fleeced sherpa. The point here is, there are different stitches for different itches.

Personal wardrobes can provide you with valueable insight into yourself.

Is your closet filled with work uniforms? Maybe suit & ties? Is your dresser overflowing with t-shirts featuring flamboyant, funny, or sarcastic slogans? Maybe your the type that can't wear anything twice.. maybe you've had the same clothes for twenty years.. or you spend so much time and money on everyone elses wardrobe you've forgotten how to look after yourself. Hmm.

No one really gives much thought to their apparel, while others are consumed by nothing else. Its just one of those things that kind of.. exists. You need clothes. They are an integral facet of your existence. All the while, we take them for granted.. something I'm guilty of myself. So, what does any of this have to do with family? You know.. I'm glad you asked.

When you look at the diversity of potential textiles that are available to create clothes, the possibilities are infinite. Its simply a matter of personal choices. The end product is limited only by your imagination. The product quality is limited only by your personal integrity. The same can be said for family. So let's try this again from the top...

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If you're like me, or for that matter.. most people.. when you open your eyes each morning, your motivation for getting out of bed to face a world which is mostly unpredictable.. is likely your family.

The members which comprise your family can be as different or similiar as the textiles which are found in your wardrobe. Family is the sum of all its parts. Each member is unique, serves a distinct purpose.. and is integral to the identity of the whole. Not unlike the shirt on your back, family is a choice. We tend to surround ourselves with that which fills our needs, preferences and levels of comfort. Just the same as caring for your wardrobe, family requires work. Dirty clothes don't wash themselves...

Family is a direct reflection of self. It is a source of strength, confidence and comfort. It reflects our passion for living, provides shelter amidst the storm, and defines our motivations.. our purpose. Family requires care.

The longer you own a shirt or pants or dress... depending on how well you care for the garment, it ultimately becomes worn. Often times such wear causes the fabric to become torn, faded, stretched, stained... it takes on an entirely different characteristic than the first time you put it on. Sometimes you may have to patch a hole, sew a rip, take in a hem... all worthy of the efforts. Why? Cause its your favorite.. most comfortable.. clothing.

Is family really that different? I realize it may come off as odd to compare an inanimate object to something as dynamic as family.. but the reasoning is in the simplicity. The most important part of any family, is the person who looks back at you in the mirror every morning. Most all of us tend to forget that now and then. We get so wrapped up in all the challenges that life presents, we neglect ourselves. In order to be our best self.. to set the examples of work and ethic for our children.. we must do the laundry.

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In every home, there is a closet or dresser drawer filled with all our favorites! In our care of those contents, the individual textiles are stitched together in order to form a family. It is the family which represents the garment we wear out onto the world each day. That garment is our armor, our confidence, our statement as to what we desire our world to look like. Our children are an extension of ourself. They are the reflection in the mirror which we peer into each morning. It is our ultimate purpose to ensure their care, comfort, protection and teach them to bring that which is within them.. into the light.. to share with all the world to see.

Afterall, it is the garment we choose to wear out into the world which becomes the fabric which is woven into any society. So next time you grab your favorite shirt.. remember this little rant.. smile.. and wear it proudly.