If you are heading to a family gathering this weekend but do not see eye-to-eye with all of your loved ones about touchy topics such as politics, religion, child-rearing, sports, lifestyles, or even the weather or who should bring what – this post is for you.
I am sharing my Wishful Thinking Works version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,”which I wrote in 2010 after being inspired earlier in the year by author and life coach Marianne Ford. Marianne reminded me that being right isn’t a right and sometimes conversations and life go better when, instead of sharing our wisdom, opinions, advice, or rebuttals – we simply listen and respond with a friendly, “I hear you.” or a non-committal but respectful “Ah- huh,” Wow!” “Okay,” or “Really?”
In other words, when respect is present agreement is not a necessity. We can change our experience and the conversation by using Marianne’s tips to transform debates into discussions and boring exchanges into interesting encounters.
I can use a bit of help around this time of year, so I wove Marianne’s thoughts and some of my musings into . . .
“Wishful Thinking Works’ “12 Ways to Survive Holiday Happenings”
On the 1st day of Christmas my inner wisdom gave to me patience for the party,
On the 2nd day of Christmas my inner wisdom gave to me 2 sacks of courage.
On the 3rd day of Christmas my inner wisdom gave to me 3 “Ah-huh’s.”
On the 4th day of Christmas my inner wisdom gave to me 4 smiling nods.
On the 5th day of Christmas my inner wisdom gave to me 5 “Oh, that’s great’s!”
On the 6th day of Christmas my inner wisdom gave to me 6 “Tell me more’s.”
On the 7th day of Christmas my inner wisdom gave to me 7 “That sounds interesting’s.”
On the 8th day of Christmas my inner wisdom gave to me 8 “I-can-do-this’s!”
On the 9th day of Christmas my inner wisdom gave to me 9 “Okay.” “Wow!” “Really’s?”
On the 10th day of Christmas my inner wisdom gave to me 10 “That sounds so frustrating’s.”
On the 11th day of Christmas my inner wisdom gave to me 11 “Oh my gosh’s.”
On the 12th day of Christmas my inner wisdom gave to me 12 “I got through it! I am so happy!”
Feel free to share my new holiday classic with your friends and family. It may help everyone’s holiday shine a bit brighter and feel a tad merrier.
(In case it comes up at a holiday gathering, the twelve days of Christmas are the evening of December 24/January 6 or December 25/January 7 – depending on the calendar, Julian/Gregorian, you are following.)
And, if you are now trying to remember the original lyrics to “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” here they are . . .
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!
Happy Holidays!
Wishful Thinking Works 