One of the best gifts I ever received was learning from neuroscience about the brain. It just amazes me that if I don’t know or understand something about a situation or a person, my brain just naturally will default to negative thinking. It’s so crazy. Well, guess what? Our year has been packed with uncertainty and negativity – about a deadly virus, about the state of our financial security, and even about the leaders of our country! W O W – we have had challenges to the extreme. What if our next wish is that we deeply apply, going into this new, hopeful, highly anticipated year – our skill of positive intent? You see, it’s like, HOPE. We can see all the possibilities of new beginnings and new starts. We can presume our new year will bring so many things we need. New vaccines, new openings, new safety options that open our world and place of work and play. Let’s presume the best in our doctors, our leaders, our family members, our friends, ourselves. We can believe in our collective country and that we all want the same thing – to be safe, to be productive and valued, and to have joy and happiness – each and every one.

So maybe it is a month of wishes, or maybe it is a new year of resolutions. You have options. 😊 But here is the deal…you have the skills and tools to impact, change, reform, or even transform every relationship and conversation. It’s there. It’s inside you. So, let’s wrap these beautiful sparkly holidays around us and just connect with each other. After all, that’s what Christmas, Hanukkah, Mawlid al-Nabi, Kwanzaa, Advent, and every holiday is about – our loved ones, our family, and the home and country we love.

Resources: “You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why it Matters.” Kate Murphy

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