Every holiday season has so many callers asking what to do about their family obligations. We seem to believe that we are responsible for the feelings of others. Are we? If we were, then as parents, wanting the best for our children, our world would be full of happy children. We would all live in bliss, with big grins ear to ear. Did we every think that everything would be perfect all the time? Ever believe that there would be no challenges? We all wish the best for our families and friends. How come it is we get so lost in assumptions? We get so confused in what others are expecting of us.

We need to give ourselves and others a break. Very few of us can even control our own feelings. How can we expect to be perfect for everyone else? We can question authority, when our own authority becomes the question. Who gives us permission? What kind of a vague unknown are we waiting for?

We can give up. We can relax! I says so! We can maybe learn from our successes instead of waiting for mistakes. We can be grateful that we can learn from everything, from everyone. By saying Thank You, we become free. Free to be in the next moment, free to be ourselves. When Gratitude is our only reaction, we don’t waste time. We get on with the moment.