Global Family Day was formerly known as “One Day In Peace”. This had its origins in two books. The first book was a 1996 children’s book named ‘One Day in Peace, January 1, 2000,’ by Steve Diamond and Robert Alan Silverstein. An Utopian novel about an ideal scenario where the entire world decides to work together to create a peaceful and prosperous planet Earth. The second book was ‘Tree Island: A Novel for the New Millennium.’ by peace activist and author Linda Grover, published in 1998. Grover spent over a decade establishing January 1 as a global day of peace.
But, what if you don’t have a family, or you don’t have a good one? Then let’s look at the definition and meaning of “family”. Because Global Family Day is not just about biological families. It’s about those in your life who support and care for you, whether that’s friends, roommates, or even your animal friends. If you don’t have a traditional family you can start by reaching out to the “chosen family” in your life and let them know how much they mean to you. You can also volunteer at a local community center or nonprofit organization that helps families in need.
Global Family Day is also a great opportunity to reflect on the state of your own family, whether that’s the one you were born into or the one you’ve chosen. It’s a time to mend fences, apologize for past mistakes, and make amends. But, let’s be real, if you’re dealing with a toxic family, it might be better to just turn off your phone, put on some good music and enjoy your own company. You, yourself are always the closest family member in your life and the most important one at that! In the end, Global Family Day is about appreciation and taking time to reflect on the importance of the people in our lives who support and care for us. So, whether you’re celebrating with a traditional family or a chosen one, make sure to take a moment to appreciate the bond you share with them. And if you don’t have any family, don’t worry, you can always adopt a plant or a pet, they are always happy to be part of your family. Some are even looking for you to be their new family! So, let’s raise a glass of your beverage of choice and toast to the people who make our lives a little bit sweeter, Happy Global Family Day!
