Holiday Expectations

This is the time of year we are bombarded with so many ads depicting the perfect Christmas or the perfect gift. I do enjoy the spirit of the ads because my favorite part of the holiday is gathering family and friends. Family gatherings can be stressful and a hotbed of dashed expectations. Let's face it, when you get a large group of people together who have a history together (good and bad) anything can happen! I find in any situation, family or otherwise, if I drop any expectation of "how it should be" or "how they should act" and focus on being positive, happy and helpful, that attitude contributes to the overall success of the event. Others usually "catch" the optimism and pass it on. It always amazes me how one person (either positive or negative) can set the tone for the whole group. Just a small change in attitude can change the entire trajectory of the gathering!

We have been fortunate enough to enjoy some early celebrations with family and look forward to several more as the season continues. I love the quote, "Be the Change you want to See." If you want to add to the celebration or even head off some negative encounters, Be the CHANGE! Try it. It is a great experiment with the potential for wonderful results.