As we anticipate meeting with friends and family this holiday season, we may feel joy and/or anxiety. For those more on the anxious side, I have a couple of suggestions. First of all, how about we assume positive intent and positive outcome? Let’s not judge people by their worst moments, which, when we are anxious, is easy to do. Let’s also try to not judge ourselves by our past and less-than-perfect moments. We are all human, and I have yet to meet perfection in our species. Grace is the watchword here. Secondly, if uncomfortable, just be useful. Be of service: bring food, help with the set-up, help with the clean-up. Fully participate. This is a party trick I learned a long ago: usefulness offsets social anxiety.
This week is a time to be thankful, to be grateful for the people around us, for the food we will be eating, for the incredible majesty of the body we live in. Life is complex, sometimes daunting, and so often beautiful. Let’s show up as the person we are today and not dwell on who we were (or thought we were) earlier in life.
When in doubt, listen, ask questions, and give compliments rather than advice. Smile often.
Thank you all for taking a moment out of your day to spend it with us.
Onward and upward,
David
