Set Aside Your Differences This Holiday Season

We are all connected to the same consciousness but we’re all different.
Could you imagine if we were all the same? What a boring or scary existence that would be.
Even though identical twins may look exactly the same, their personalities vary.
These differences are what make us all unique. Our experiences may be similar but the way we interpret, respond, and/or react to them is not.
We don’t always see eye to eye on things with people, and especially ones that we are close to, as there may be grievances and/or past dynamics that often become triggered when we’re together.
Since the holiday season is filled with socializing at office parties, getting together with friends, family dinners and visits, all these amazing differences in us can sometimes elicit emotions we would rather not experience and leave at the door.
Easier said than done? Not really. It’s only as difficult as YOU choose it to be.
You already have a head start knowing that certain people often bring on feelings of anger, resentment, sadness, frustration, boredom, or anxiety in you.
Maybe Aunt Thelma, a co-worker, or someone talks incessantly, boasts, gossips, criticizes, or doesn’t help out etc. Perhaps there are unresolved issues from the past that generate a feeling of being uncomfortable, or reactions like cringing, arguing, ignoring, or giving or receiving the cold shoulder.
These differences are opportunities; they offer you ways to view and do things another way.
Become aware of how you are judging someone. For example, maybe you are attending an office party and you remember last year when so and so really irritated you. Focusing on this is setting the stage for this years event, as well as how you view that person, and how you interact with them or ignore them.
Recognize when you are finding "fault" in another and discover something favourable about them. Maybe they have a great smile, or a wonderful laugh, or give terrific hugs, or are funny, or caring, etc.
Instead of seeing what’s "wrong" with them, see what’s "right" in them. Find atleast one quality you admire and focus on that. If you are brave enough let them know what you appreciate or love about them.
Check out if the way you feel about them is something you might feel about yourself as well. Hmmm…maybe there is some truth here?
We are all a little unusual in our own way; that’s what makes us all the same, yet different.

No one is perfect and we all make mistakes, some bigger than others. We can become stuck or get triggered by our limiting beliefs as do others. We may not always understand why others do and say the things they do. Sometimes we don’t why we do and say the things we do. What’ important is to remember we are magnificent spiritual beings learning what it’s like to be human.
Whether it’s the holidays, a regular day at the office or at home, or perhaps being with friends, or maybe meeting someone you don’t know, become aware of how often you are finding fault in others.
Make a decision today to see something favourable rather than flawed in someone, and if that doesn’t work, remember they are no different than you are in that they too are reacting and responding to life from their experiences and beliefs.
Choose peace this holiday season and as often as possible, it truly can make a WORLD of difference.
The Insight Technique ™ assists you in transforming judgments and beliefs.