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E-Quipped to... Create the True Spirit of Christmas

We are already into the second week of December and you know what that means – Christmas is just two weeks away!

Hollywood portrays Christmas as the harmonious coming together of friends and family, the giving and receiving of gifts and the sharing of fabulous meals around the table. But talking to people and listening to the conversations around me has made me think that the reality of Christmas for so many people is not like the movies at all.

What is the Reality of Christmas?

Christmas is a sad and lonely time for many and it is fraught with tension and stress for most. For the past few weeks I have heard complaints about how much still has to be done, in so little time! I have listened to concerns about how much there is to buy and provide, with very little money. There is work to be completed before the holidays, shopping to do and end of year parties to attend. So many of us are stressed out and frantic!

It has made me realise that Christmas is not a time, nor a season. It is a state of mind. How wonderful it would be if we could all get back to the true meaning of Christmas – to cherish peace and goodwill, to let go of grudges and forgive, to have mercy on those less fortunate than ourselves and to offer unconditional love to all. Now that is the true spirit of Christmas and we can all play our part in creating that spirit. (Even if you don't celebrate Christmas in the Christian sense of Christmas).

What can I do to Help Create the True ‘Spirit of Christmas’?

• Choose to be clear, open and honest with others while all the time being respectful. In other words, choose to be assertive rather than aggressive, passive-aggressive, manipulative or submissive.
  Read my articles The Five Communication Styles and Attention on Assertiveness to find out how to do this.
• Don’t avoid conflict (which is unhealthy), but instead choose to deal with disagreements in a positive and constructive way.
  Read my article Coping With Conflict for information on how to deal with disagreements constructively.
• When you think a complimentary thought about someone, take the trouble to tell them. Compliments go a long way in making people feel good and really don’t take much effort at all. Read my article Time to Accept a Compliment for tips on how to give compliments as well as how to receive them.
• When you find people around you irritating, control your anger.
  Read my article Anger Management: Taming the Tiger! for techniques on how to manage your own, or other people’s, anger.
• Be the one who makes the conversation flow and keeps it light and interesting for everyone.
  Read my article The Art of Conversation for ways to do this.

What do YOU Think?

Share your wisdom with others… How we can all create the true Spirit of Christmas?  Your idea could make all the difference this Christmas!

Leave your comments here

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You may have been forwarded this email by a friend. In that case, allow me to introduce myself. I am a psychologist, speaker, trainer, coach and hat lover based in Durban, South Africa.

My goal is to inspire you to make the changes necessary to live the life of your dreams! I believe that by developing your YOU-Q - the term I have created to describe your unique intelligence, creativity and wisdom - you can find your Inner winner and live a Be-YOU-tiful life right now.

On my website you'll find more ideas to get you thinking about life, love, work and other important STUFF.

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082 491 1136 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | www.clairenewton.co.za

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