It’s the “most wonderful time of the year”….RIGHT?? For SO many reasons it truly is….most importantly, because of the Incarnation of Christ through Our Lady’s “YES” to God – when the Word became flesh, dwelt among us, and brought redemption to world.
But sometimes, there just might be a little bit of trepidation over the possibility of conflict around the dinner table, or in our conversation with family or friends who …. WELL …. might just rub us the wrong way. Preparing ourselves ahead of time is something good to consider doing to help foster the making of more joyful memories with loved ones, and for easing some of the stress during this very busy season.
But, how can we prepare? Where do we start?
Today’s light-hearted episode was JAM-PACKED with tips and suggestions from Erin Franco and I (and a LOT of wisdom from St. Jose Maria Escriva!) to help us all find ways to be merciful and virtuous during this wonderful, but sometimes exhausting and stressful time of the year.
From how to have a “right heart” while interacting with the “helpful” person who wants to instruct you on how to load a dishwasher after dinner, to ways of managing expectations of families during a season when there are so many extra demands on our time…..there is something in this episode for nearly everyone!
LISTEN TO THE RADIO SHOW:
RESOURCES MENTIONED DURING THE SHOW:
- Quotes from St. Jose Maria Escriva
- It is inevitable that you should feel the rub of other people’s characters against your own. After all, you are not a gold coin that everyone likes. Besides, without that friction produced by contact with others, how would you ever lose those corners, those edges and projections — the imperfections and defects — of your character, and acquire the smooth and regular finish, the firm flexibility of charity, of perfection? If your character and the characters of those who live with you were soft and sweet like sponge-cake you would never become a saint. (The Way, #20)
- You say that he is full of defects! Very well… but, apart from the fact that people who are perfect are found only in Heaven, you too have defects, yet others put up with you and, what is more, appreciate you. That is because they love you with the love Jesus Christ had for his own, and they had a fair number of shortcomings. (The Furrow, #758)
- “Anyone who says he cannot put up with this or that, or finds it impossible to hold his peace, is exaggerating in order to justify himself. We should ask God for the strength to overcome our whims and to practise self-control.” (Conversations, #108)
- The defects you see in others are perhaps your own. Si oculus tuus fuerit simplex… — If your eye is clear, the whole of the body will be lit up; whereas if the eye is diseased, the whole of the body will be in darkness–Moreover: “How is it that you can see the speck of dust in your brother’s eye, and are not aware of the beam that is in your own?” Examine your conscience.” (The Furrow, #328)
- “How I wish that your bearing and conversation were such that, on seeing or hearing you, people would say: This man reads the life of Jesus Christ.” (The Way, #2)
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So, what are YOUR best tips for managing stressful situations during the holiday season? Let us know right here!