If you’ve been feeling weary or disheartened and stuck in sticky emotional dynamics, I have a story for you this week. Last weekend, I found myself growing increasingly judgmental toward a particular family member, who I happen to love very much. She was irritating...
I was recently listening to a woman sharing about what’s worked for her when it comes to bridging differences in her politically divided family, and I wanted to pass on a few nuggets of learning. She leans liberal politically, but lives in a part of the country that...
When something goes wrong, most of us respond by looking for something or someone to blame. We default into asking, “What’s wrong?” and commonly answer that question with either “You!” or “Me!” Judgments, criticisms, analyses, diagnoses, and power struggles usually follow, and we all know how those conversations go. It’s not really our fault, though. Let me explain.
Learning how to work with life, instead of against it, has been a lifelong practice for me. Over the years, I’ve explored a new way forward when things seem to be going wrong, including some useful mindset shifts, and three words I use to get unstuck from ideas of wrongness.
“And” helps us bridge differences, make connections, and see our shared humanity and shared needs. Once we decide to let go of our defensiveness, our fears, our resistance, and instead start working with life on its terms, we free ourselves up for more play and creativity in all aspects of our lives.