As we prepare for upcoming celebrations with family and friends, I offer you my common-sense P.L.A.N. for a peaceful event. These get-togethers often involve citizenship issues that spark disagreements. Prior planning prevents poor performance. Take a look:
(No) Politics-How to avoid holiday fights
P. (No) Politics. If someone begins discussing a highly controversial topic, find a clever way to shift the conversation’s focus. (i.e., “Before we get into that topic, could you tell us about that trip you took last June?”) Responding with a non-political statement can turn the entire day around for everyone. Think about this: A person who asks good questions never lacks friends. Above all, remember this: You do not have to attend every argument to which you are invited.
Listen- How listening can reduce political anger
L. Listen. If you are quick to listen, you’ll be slower to become angry with political views. I’m a firm believer in letting others hear themselves and define what they believe out loud. Sometimes they parrot what the professor said or what their favorite media outlet has preached. Let them own it. Just listen. It costs you nothing to listen. It does not imply tacit approval. They already know you have a different “take” on the issues. Some people have never heard themselves articulate their beliefs out loud. That’s a good reason to “get out of the way” and let them. It can be a real eye-opener.
Action +Atitude- Replace anger with gratitude
A.- Action + Attitude. Excuse yourself for a moment if you find yourself getting uptight during holiday family time. Use the restroom, offer to help with the baby, or make a trip out to the car to “check on something.” Anger never works. Neither does the silent treatment. Action, not anger, works. An attitude of gratitude for even the most minor things keeps your sanity. Think of things that you are grateful for so you don’t light up your emotions to a fever pitch, potentially embarrassing yourself.
Never Yield the Moral High Ground
N.- Never yield the moral high ground to win an argument or to gain approval (aka people-pleasing). We know right from wrong. Do not go along to get along with something you know is morally wrong. You most certainly will lose in the long run if you do.
That’s the Common Sense Civics and Citizenship P.L.A.N. for the holidays.
Have a peace-filled celebration!
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship.🇺🇸
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