'Tis the Season

Like it or not, 'tis the season. You survived Thanksgiving -- the turkey, the trimmings, the desserts, and the family gathered round the table. You're thankful that your right-wing uncle and left-wing aunt kept their political differences civil, that your zany cousin kept her antics to a minimum, and that your outspoken brother focused his attention and comments on the football game and didn't offend anyone. Now the year-end holiday season is in full swing, along with high levels of expectations and work. And you thought we were going to say good tidings and cheer!

During this time of the year, there are so many added demands on our time and resources. The added expectations and work -- travel plans and travel, holiday greetings to send, decorations and lights to string, songs to sing, parties with extra cooking and baking, shopping and finding the best gifts at the lowest prices -- all result in extra stress which can lead to conflict. 

Christmas, which is a religious holiday, has become more and more secular and over-commercialized -- which is also resulting in more stress and conflict in our society. There's the expectation that we greet everyone with "Merry Christmas" rather than "Happy Holidays" without realizing that not everyone celebrates this holiday or observes it as a holy day. Diversity and differences. Raised expectations. All potentially ingredients for conflict.

You avoided Black Friday and the malls, opting instead for less hectic, more meaningful shopping experiences. You need stocking stuffers for your brother and that left-wing aunt -- but Christmas is still weeks away. Oh, wait -- your office is doing a Secret Santa; your yoga group is doing a holiday gift exchange where you have to bring a mindful gift; your neighbors are hosting a "Festivus" celebration (remember that Seinfeld episode) and you have to bring a gift under $15. You need to get those gifts sooner. And you still have to buy wrapping paper, decorate the tree, and something else you can't remember at the moment. 

We've got a suggestion, and we'd be honored and humbled if you'd consider it. This fall our latest book, The Conflict Resolution Phrase Book, was published, and it's available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and independent book sellers. It contains over 2,000 mindful and thoughtful phrases that address, among other topics, diversity and expectations. It could be the perfect answer for those last-minute gift exchanges that are making your shopping experience more hectic than planned. It's the perfect gift for your colleagues or clients for the holidays or at any time during the year!

This season of the year should be a reflective one, filled with wonder and light and excitement before the gloomy days of winter, not stress and conflict. The Conflict Resolution Phrase Book is a good reminder that conflict can be addressed with grace and civility.

All the best wishes for this season. Take time to enjoy it and reflect. 

Barbara & Cornelia

Happy Holidays

No, I’m not declaring a “War on Christmas!” This season does encompass many holidays starting with Thanksgiving and ending with New Year’s Day. Different religions and cultures have other celebrations and observances. I love this season with all the lights, decorations, and songs.  I have so many fond family memories of decorating the Christmas tree with my siblings and father -- laughing and squabbling.  

Even cultures that celebrate Christmas, have different traditions, rituals and customs associated with it. Here are a few examples and samples of Christmas around the world:

• The German holiday season begins December 5, the celebration of St. Nicholas’s Day. 

• German children look forward to Christmas Eve, when St. Nicholas brings gifts and rewards to all good children.

• In Latin America Viejo Pascero or Old Man Christmas is the central figure in the Christmas Celebration.

• The children of the Netherlands put carrots and hay out for St. Nicholas’s horse in return for gifts, candies, cookies, fruits & nuts.

• Pere Noel was the bearer of luxuries for French peasants in the Middle Ages. He left gifts in children’s wooden shoes.

• In Norway, Juelesvenn or gift bringer comes during the mid-winter festivities of Jul to hide lucky barley stalks.

• In England, Father Christmas travels from home to home often leaving a Yule Log for each fireplace.

• In Poland, Star Man visits all homes after Christmas Eve supper bringing small gifts and cookies to the children.

• St. Stephen is honored in Ireland on Dec. 26 for his good deeds. Kids go door to door singing for pennies.

• In Russia, Grandfather Frost travels from house to house bringing gifts on New Year’s Day.

• In Italy La Befana arrives on Epiphany Eve or January 5 coming down the chimney with gifts, 

• La Befana waves a cane to warn bad children—who will receive only a lump of coal.

“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” Theodor Seuss Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss)