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Magical thinking and rash assumptions
“If we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that sometimes our assumptions and preconceived notions are wrong, and therefore, our interpretation of events is incorrect. This causes us to overreact, to take things personally, or to judge people unfairly.” ~Elizabeth Thornton, Scottish author of historical fiction As every great magician knows, audiences interpret everything they see and hear through the filter of their own experience and beliefs. Sometimes they see and hear only what they wish to see and hear. It’s sobering, really, when you consider how easily any situation could be misjudged or misunderstood — or taken personally. For instance, you might wonder if friends are angry…
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Help for the holidays
“One of the most important ways to reduce stress is to ask for help. This works not only during the holidays, but also all year ’round.” – Dr. Daisy Sutherland Lately I’ve been noticing more articles on the topic of why some folks secretly dread the holiday season — even though it’s supposed to be a time of comfort, joy, and celebration. Ironically, rates of depression typically rise between Thanksgiving and December 31st, with many people reporting feelings of sadness. For others, the holidays simply add another layer of stress and busy-ness. Some of us have trouble saying “no” when it comes to stuffing every moment in December with nonstop activity.…
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What happens when you “pay it forward”
“You can get everything in life you want — if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” ~Zig Ziglar Yesterday I wrote about the economics of holiday spending and the real meaning of generosity. Throughout the day, which happened to be Giving Tuesday, I also thought about the phrase “paying it forward.” To pay it forward means you remember your own good fortune and help someone else (sometimes anonymously) without expecting something in return. It’s a different kind of reciprocation. I’ve learned over the years that whenever I share what I have with others, my life magically improves, too. Of course, it’s harder to be generous…
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The real measure of generosity
“A life is not measured by what we do or what we give, but by who we are … The impact we’ve had on the lives around us could be felt for decades. How present am I with the people in my life? Am I able to take responsibility for the actions that hurt others? Do I want to be right or can I choose to be thoughtful and kind?” ~Cheryl Richardson Most of us equate “generosity” with lavish gifting — especially this time of year. As I type this, economists are tracking and comparing annual statistics on holiday spending, including the types of purchases we make and how much money…
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Insensitive remarks
“I have never been hurt by what I have not said.” ~Calvin Coolidge All of us have been guilty of blurting insensitive remarks or sharing information we shouldn’t — usually without realizing it. We might say something off the top of our heads without thinking how someone else might interpret it. We might spread gossip that could hurt a relationship or make us appear untrustworthy. It’s easy to get tangled in our own verbiage — and it takes a heartfelt apology to smooth things out. To paraphrase a quote from Maya Angelou, people might forget exactly what we said, but they’ll always remember how we made them feel. In today’s…
