It's Holiday Time Again
In the United States it is two days
until we head into a day where frequently we get
together with family to celebrate Thanksgiving.
For many this marks the beginning of a hectic holiday
season where invites to parties, differences over
gifting and concerns about over eating abound.
This year, I invite you to take a
step back and monitor your thoughts. Are you feeling
overwhelmed? Are you afraid of offending someone
if you choose to be real? Instead of staying in
that place, make a choice about how you will interact
with others this holiday season.
What if there was no wrong way to be? What if someone
taking offense really isn't your fault? What then?
The possibilities are endless.
Frequently we are unable to fully
tap into our empathy to fully understand another
person because we are too concerned about how we
will be perceived by them. Full compassion which
comes from empathy, is only available when we have
no agenda for someone to understand us.
When you next disagree with someone's idea...especially
about something you feel strongly about, take a
breath and look for what is unique about their idea,
how something should be done, what's important to
them and see if you can understand their perspective,
even while disagreeing.
It is my experience that people get
frazzled thinking about how much there is to do;
from a shorter work week to grocery shopping to
preparing a meal... and understanding others is
the first thing to go.
So this week take some time to appreciate
the differences exhibited by others in your life.
A very Happy Thanksgiving to each
of you and your family.
