I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday weekend in whatever way you managed to celebrate this year. We spent Thanksgiving alone because it was the safest thing we could do. There are 6 of us, so “alone” isn’t as sad as it sounds—6 is a lot! Friday, we hosted a virtual tree-lighting with about 15 family members, but everything was outside. The adults stayed warm by wrapping up in blankets and huddling around the fire pit, and the kids—who don’t seem effected by the cold—stayed up on the porch. Overall, it was a great weekend.

I heard so many stories of how others celebrated this weekend. Many who made decisions based on elderly grandparents, compromised relatives, or just fear. Everyone I spoke to made an educated decision that was right for them, and the decisions weren’t necessarily easy ones. We have had three family members with COVID, so I get the fear. I believe this entire holiday season will be about meeting people “where they are” not where we want them to be with this virus.

And that’s a great lesson, regardless of a pandemic: meeting people where they are, not where we want them to be. Think of someone you’re struggling with right now. The struggle is because there is a chasm between you two. Will you agree to (mentally and emotionally) go to where they are? Can you see it from their perspective? We don’t have to necessarily like or agree with their perspective, but it would be really helpful if we could at least say, “I understand where they are coming from.” It’s a game-changer. It’s also a sign of incredible emotional intelligence. And, instantly, the chasm will grow smaller. Will you give it a try?

With Gratitude,

Beth

P.S. Digging our heals in to prove or justify our point of view never helps.