The holidays bring on many joys and many challenges. For years I have wrestled with both and there are times when as much as I am looking forward to it, I am also grateful when they are over. This is when my EQ skills serve me well. As I get ready for them, I remember for all that I am grateful. This places me in feelings of grace. I stop and see that I need to remember to take my anxious and more challenging thoughts and replace them with happy ones. “Can I have a happy thought, please, Karen?” This builds up my confidence that all manage my emotions well. What can I do to help if I am not preparing the meal? I do not like not taking part and giving my share. For the feelings of being needed always trump my anxiety of not being enough. My affirmations …they soothe my soul and keep me calm for times with my family can be exasperating. Considering I have always been out of their box! Giving myself Gifts of Love…saying kind things to myself…helps me feel empathy for that girl whose family just never got her.  And why is this holiday creating anxiety for me…well…I finished my book, “Is Your Child’s World Emotionally Safe?”. My family has had no idea I was writing it. “Oh boy,” as my son used to say. This ought to be interesting. My EQ parenting and teaching program is about to hit the market. They hoped I had given it up long ago since they felt that I was spending money that belonged to my children. Yes, this is going to be a very interesting holiday and I am counting on my EQ skills to serve me well. Families…may love conquer it all!
May these holidays bring you joy and if you need some grace I am here to help!