Thursday 21 November 2013

Neither offender nor offended be

Many of us are in the midst of preparing Christmas logistics. May I throw something into the mix, please?

Resolve not to be offended if your plans do not meet the expectations of your nearest and dearest (and others to whom you feel you owe festive duties). If they don't want to come to your house, that doesn't mean they don't trust your cooking or that they hate your children or your dog. It simply means they have other plans.

If folk insist on seeing you when, deep down, you'd rather they didn't, be glad that you can make them happy. It's just possible you'll miss them when they're gone.

Capra's It's A Wonderful Life
If people take offence at what you have planned, let them. It's not your problem. You can control your own response to circumstances, but not that of others.

Follow Utilitarianism's Greatest Happiness Principle: take the course of action that brings happiness to the greatest number of people.

I thank you.

6 comments:

  1. Julia, this is good - and timely advice. I'm just starting to get embroiled in all that 'what's happening at Christmas' stuff - kids not talking to each other, father who doesn't really want to come to ours, etc etc and I had already resolved, yesterday, NOT to get stressed by it all but just to chill... it's only a few days and then it will all be over for another year. It's not worth the aggro. So thanks for confirming what I was just beginning to think myself!! (now, where's that meditation CD..?!)

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  2. "The needs of the many out-weigh the needs of the few Jim"

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  3. Wonderful advice!

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