With all the good will that gets passed around during the holiday season, it’s the perfect time to repair any strained relationships you might have in your life. People are generally in a great mood, which makes them far more open to forgiving and accepting forgiveness. So, if you have any strained relationships, now is the perfect opportunity to make that phone call and say, “I’ve missed you. Can we get together for lunch sometime soon?” Or, to walk over to a fellow employee’s work area and say, “I’m sorry about the way I acted during the meeting last month.” If you do this, you’ll not only crank up the intensity of the holiday spirit that’s already inside you, but you’ll start the New Year with a clean slate as well.
Related posts
The Best Way to Avoid Disappointment
Don’t Be Fooled by the Illusion of Wealth
In October of 1973, I was held at gunpoint by a deranged young spouse who was completely undone by his own demons, steroids prescribed for a chronic and incurable serious illness, and the stresses of the military during the Vietnam era. By sheer good luck, he was interrupted and I wasn’t killed. However, the moments (probably 15) I stared down the barrel of his gun changed my life — but not until decades later. It has only been lately — some 37-plus years later — that I even think back on that evening. And when I do, it is with amazement that my epiphany was slow in coming.
What I have come to realize is that a perform storm of circumstances can occur in even the most ordered of existences to even the most civilized people. We are fragile bunch, and our lives are in no way predictable. However, we can head off some of the random nastiness that occurs simply by being kind, polite, concerned, and responsible.
I am alive because a then-brother-in-law had become worried about the erratic behavior of my spouse, and had summoned help. He had not waited for tragedy to strike, and because he became involved, tragedy did not strike.
My life has rolled forward for the better part of 40 years. And I owe each moment — good, bad, and indifferent — to a single phone call.
Dear Jody,
What an amazing story. I can’t even begin to imagine going through what you went through. Thank you for sharing it. Also, may I use your story without mentioning your name in a future reminder? All the best and have a great day. Ross
Ross I am looking forward to read your Weekly Reminder Emails… Very inspiring ….
Dear Alenoush,
Thank you very much for your encouraging comments. I very much appreciate them. Ross
What a great prescription for every day of the new year! Thanks for passing this one along.
Dear Marcia,
Thank you for your comments and for your willingness to pass my Reminder along. All the best, Ross
wow…..that’s pretty powerful stuff…very thought provoking..jc
Dear Judy,
Thank you so much for your comments. Ross
Great story Ross. As always, thanks for sharing.
Thanks Renee. I hope all is well. Ross