Real Life Real Faith Christmas Magazine (2) | Page 29

example, is instead of going to a three-hour dinner at Aunt Jane's while trying to manage your 2-year- old or getting drawn into a political debate, maybe we could stop in before dinner for a drink or go by for dessert. Good boundaries are essential for keeping relationships positive. Plan for challenging situations! If we must visit people who we know will be challenging, consider using these strategies: Plan to get plenty of rest before you go. When we are depleted it is harder to deal with difficult people. Even taking 5 minutes to rest in your car can be helpful. Have an exit strategy when you have had enough and use it when you need to. Even if it is to go in another room and wash dishes it is better than remaining in a situation where you feel triggered. Take a breathing break. Head into a quiet place and take 10 breaths. Allowing for this pause will help us respond instead of reacting in a habitual way. Assume positive intention in others. Many misunderstandings start when we assume the other party has a negative intention. If they do, stay calm and respond in a kind but firm way that you are uncomfortable with their comment. Examine your list and begin to plan. Model positive behavior. Steer clear of gossip, judgements and strong "my way or the highway" By examining the lists, we can begin to challenge opinions to keep the interaction positive. our assumptions. This will give us information And finally reward yourself for your effort. Plan about just how important things are and if we are something fun to celebrate the steps you have doing them because we feel we "should" or because taken to do something different this year! we want to do them. It can also help us to see what we value and how we can use our values to help us For more information please email Liz Brown at navigate tricky situations. If we feel physically ill [email protected] when we visit certain people or filled with dread before going, is it necessary that we go. What would happen if we did not? If we feel we must go, is there a way we could do it differently? For  Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9824163 25