[Flash] Navigating Holiday Well-Wishes with Grace and Good Intent

I recently rediscovered one of my favorite infographics (created by Dave Lieberman)?recommending a refreshing response to various holiday greetings:

When someone wishes you...

• Merry Christmas... and you are Christian or not Christian
• Happy Hanukkah... and you are Jewish or not Jewish
• Happy Kwanza... and you are African-American or not African-American
• Season's Greetings... and you are agoraphobic or not agoraphobic
• Happy Holidays... and you are religious or not religious
• Happy New Year... and you are good with dates or bad with dates

You say: “Thank you! Same to you!”

The simplicity of this recommendation is actually profound: Meet people where they are, not where you are.

Understandably, we expect others to offer an appropriate holiday wish. But that’s not always practical or possible. And sometimes, even those who know us well are distracted, forgetful, or inadvertent - that's just where they are at that moment.

Instead of assuming that others are being rude or dogmatic with their beliefs, seek to understand their intentions - politeness, friendliness, amiability, holiday spirit.?

If we express outrage or insult, we become rude and self-oriented - making it all about us. Being offended when the offense was not intended is a waste of time and energy.

Rather than interpreting someone’s use of specific greetings, let’s just assume good intent behind the holiday well-wishing and move on. ?

Kindness is extending to people the benefit of the doubt. And that includes letting go of our expectations around holiday greetings.

Wishing you Happy Everything!

? 2023. Ann Tardy and MentorLead. www.mentorlead.com. All Rights Reserved.

ps. Have you registered yet for our Q1?complimentary webinar?? "Unlock the Power of Mentoring Programs to Retain Nurses, Improve Leadership, and Strengthen Your Hospital" Date: Thurs Feb 29 @ 11am PT | 2pm ET Register:?https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Q692btvAQ72Ybi9JRvjlKA