How did you do over Thanksgiving and the weekend? Were you able to balance time with family, friends, and self care?
Thanksgiving is the pre-game for the December holidays, so take note of what went well and what you want to do differently for Round 2. Balancing what you do for others with what you do for yourself is especially important at this time of year.
Much of what we humans struggle with interpersonally comes down to our own self-awareness, impact on others, and how others handle those when dealing with us.
There are times when we get annoyed by someone’s bad behavior, thinking it’s directed at us. Sometimes it is–but I think more often they’re just not self-regulating properly at that moment, and we are the unfortunate recipients of what feels like their anger and/or disrespect.
Let me suggest a little experiment. I’ve been trying this out for the last few weeks with positive results. The next time someone irritates you, pretend you know they are having a really bad day. Knowing this, try to either ignore their bad behavior or, if situationally appropriate, offer a gesture or vocalization of understanding.
Mastering this can definitely increase your joy this holiday season, so give it a try and let me know how it goes.
In the meantime, here are shares for you to keep your best self energized:
Curated Shares
Curated Shares- Spoon Theory: Gold star to this video from The Vibe with Ki on what it’s like to live with chronic pain and other energy-stealing conditions. You gotta’ hear this, it’s brilliant.
- Here’s a neurologist’s take on crying as a processing mechanism that’s actually a strength.
- Is it really an “us vs. them” situation between single people and parents in the workplace? Is having children still seen as a barrier to advancement for women while being a boon for fathers? Fast Company’s got data on where we are right now.
- What does it mean to be masculine? That’s a big question these days, and we’re working to sort out what’s outdated and what’s vital for our go-forward mode. Here are some stats about how guys are feeling. (Scroll down under the “Fast Premium” banner.)
- Did you know anger and hate are not degrees of the same feeling. “Anger’s job is to push for fairness, to demand better treatment, resolution, or repair. Hatred’s job is to eliminate what feels dangerous or beyond saving.” I always thought of them as a continuum, but this new research makes sense to me now.
Kindness is Contagious, Pass It Along!
Kindness is Contagious, Pass It Along!Saw this on Instagram, posted by @TheDeepestMessages:
“The most underrated act of kindness is letting people be. Let them mispronounce a word, talk too much about a show they love, or get excited about something you don’t understand. Everyone got something that lights them up. Let them shine, even if it’s not your thing.”
Do Good Spotlight: No Kid Hungry
Every child deserves nutritional food to support healthy growth. That’s why I love supporting No Kid Hungry. With programs to fill the gaps where support breaks down, they ensure children have meals at school during the year, over the summer when school is out, and at home when their families can’t provide for them on their own. Not everyone has bootstraps, especially our little ones. Healthy children, healthy future—for us all.
⏳Until Next Time…
We all have challenges; it wouldn’t be life without them. Most of the time, we manage well. Sometimes, we struggle. Occasionally, we get stuck. All of it’s normal. What’s not okay is struggling alone when there are plenty of resources that can help. So be brave, ask for help when you need it, and if you’ve got a particular challenge weighing you down, reach out. I’m here to help you reframe things so you can drive forward again.
Niki