????For the 4th tip of Christmas the Couples Coach gave to me, the wonderful gift of em-path-y ????. (At this rate people will be tuning in for the lyrics alone! ????). Right, empathy. A truly marvellous skill that can help to lighten every situation.
If you are spending Christmas with someone who drives you crazy, instead of viewing them as the enemy or to be endured, try imagining being that person. Step into their shoes for a day in their life. Imagine having lived through their struggles and upsets. What’s going on for them right now? What do they wish were different? You may step into being judgemental e.g. ‘I would never have allowed that to happen’. If so, catch yourself and remind yourself that they dealt with their situations to the best of their abilities.
Sometimes this exercise helps us to feel a little warmer towards a person, to open our hearts a little more and hence to find some extra patience and understanding. Also works well with parents, partners and our kids! Pls like/share. Sue X