WordFood

WordFood - how we feed or starve our realtionships

- Julia Hubbel

Julia’s ability to get this group of type-A executives to engage in true networking was incredible. She is truly skilled at motivating the group to engage and interact with each other, and her openness and honesty really come through.

— Shelley Stewart, Jr.,
Senior Vice President of Operational Excellence and Chief Procurement Officer, Tyco

November 24, 2012

Holiday WordFood

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , — Julia Hubbel @ 9:25 am

Thanksgiving is over and Christmas season is now in full swing. My Christmas decorations are piled in my laundry room ready to take upstairs today while the college football games play in the background. It’s always a fun day, changing out the last of the Turkey Day trimmings for the fancy Santas and lovely angels that will decorate my mantel and sit on the chairs and furniture all through the house.

One of the statistics that is disconcerting about the holiday season is that Americans tend to gain about ten to fifteen pounds over the holiday period, and many of us have a terrible time losing that weight, if we do at all. It’s certainly the time of year you and I look forward to with all the lovely food and Christmas cookies and certainly the best treats of the year. But all too often the best food of the year is mixed with the worst WordFood of the year when families get together and don’t treat each other with the kind of kindness and respect that they could.

I have a dear person in my life who now avoids his family at holiday time for that very reason and it pains him greatly. Arguments and disagreements cause so much strife at Christmas that he no longer visits. Family is important to him, and it hurts me to see this happen in his life. He is not alone. Many families experience this during this emotional time of year.

If this is a challenge for you and your family, I would offer this up. Consider putting aside the petty arguments and differences that tend to rise among you as family members. Remember instead what draws you together, what makes you family. Why you care about each other. Don’t rise to the bait when someone pushes a button that was installed years ago. This takes courage but you can do it. Respond instead with gentility and grace, and remember what these holidays are truly for. You will forever be glad you did. The next holiday that family member may not be present. We simply do not know what the year may bring.

The true food of the holidays is what we say to each other with courtesy, respect, regard and love. How we treat each other with kindness. These are the lasting memories. Not the gifts, not the food. It is the WordFood that leaves us warmed from the soul with love we bear each other.

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