Don't forget to be thankful
In most families, you can almost predict what is going to happen at Thanksgiving dinner. It’s like watching the same play year after year:
- Dad is going to overeat and fall asleep on the living room sofa.
- Cousin Ralph will amuse the children by pulling quarters out of his ear.
- The twins will spend the entire day texting and complain when grandpa won’t allow cell phones at the table.
- Your sister’s kids will complain that you don’t have any good video games.
- Uncle Charlie will drink too much and get into an argument with Aunt Agnes.
No matter how miserable our families may be, we enjoy gathering on the holidays. We are attracted to the comfort of predictability. We know our roles and act them out year after year.
What role do you play?
But this year will be different for you. You are playing a different part. You have a new, ID and a new attitude toward life. You have a new script of universal laws this year.
Although the other actors will dislike the script changes, stick to the new you. Keep your new ID.
Why?
- But why wouldn’t they accept your more positive attitude?
- Aren’t you more pleasant to be around?
- Why would anyone want the old, grumpy you back?
- Why aren’t they happy that you are now a winner with a winning attitude?
Comfort Zone
You have moved out of THEIR comfort zone without their permission. You rewrote the play without asking. You violated their rules and they are not going to stand for it.
You are no longer the bear they know.
- They could describe the old you – but not the new you.
- They knew how the old you would react in every situation – but not the new you.
- They knew which buttons to push.
The new you is a stranger.
Cohorts
Gloomy Gus
The old you was attracted to and attractive to the Negative Nancy’s and Gloomy Gus’ in the play.
You were partners in crime, feeding off of one another’s negativity and reproducing it.
The new you is starving them of mental junk food.
Subconscious
They are not trying to hold you back deliberately, this is all subconscious.
Your family loves you.
Love them back, but keep your new, positive ID.
Keep your new Thanksgiving script and bring the house down with your performance.
Have a great holiday. Check this blog tomorrow for a delicious turkey, stuffing and gravy recipe.
This is such a great post! Useful tip to keep in mind during the holidays.