Navigating Holiday Drama with a Dash of Wisdom 🌟

We all know that as the holiday season rolls in it often brings family drama with it. 

I’m pretty sure my family inspired a few episodes of Portlandia between everyone’s dietary requests and the fact that I’m a Life Coach. I mean, that’s script right there. 

Then, I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I’ll have thoughts about family member’s choices and ideas on what they should do differently in their lives. My ego can be so self-righteous. 🙄 As if I have the answers for their life! It creates drama in my own head, which a wiser part of me knows is absurd AND oh-so-human at the same time. 

But, recently, I was listening to a podcast with comedian Pete Holmes that made me pause hard. He was talking about his own awareness of self-righteous thoughts and judgments of others and a practice he does to come back to himself. 

He simply says, "If I were them, I'd be them." 

Take someone who cuts you off on the road, for example. Their car is covered with political stickers opposite of your views. Maybe you’re repulsed and think, “Ugh! Those people. I could never be them.” 

Really, though? 

Because, if you were born into their body, raised in their community, by the people who raised them, during their time and experienced their pain and losses - you’d be them. 

It got me thinking about my family. 

So, if I had been born into my dad’s body, raised by his parents, during his time, experienced his tragedies - I’d be him, making the same decisions as him. Same with my mom. 

If I were them, I'd be them.

I’ve sat with this one a lot and mentally played with it over and over again and it keeps bringing me to a place that feels kind, more peaceful, and definitely more grounded in myself. 

Who am I to ask anyone to be different? 

If I were them, I'd be them.

We’re all navigating interactions with people all of the time. It’s an oh-so-human thing to think that we have the answers or know better than someone else or to be a little self-righteous at times. 

And, listen, in case you’re wondering about how this might condemn bad behavior, that’s not what I’m talking about. This is about what happens within YOU and how you feel in your life. We’re aiming for a little better, a little more confident, a little more peaceful. 

This practice is one that’s working for me. Try it out, see how it works for you. 

Before I go, I just want to say how grateful I am to have you in my community. If you celebrate Thanksgiving this week, Happy Thanksgiving! I’m sending you my very best. 

Take care, 

Sarah

PS: I’m planning 2024 and have a few spots open for my virtual EPIC VIP day next year. Think you might be interested in dreaming, planning, and growing in EPIC ways? Apply here and we can talk more.