11/11/2025
Here's some suggestions for what to say this coming Thanksgiving. (We're all spending time with people who don't think the same and have their own developmental journeys. Notice any activation you might have when you hear something different and use your breath to calm your body. INSTEAD of educating people on how they are wrong, bad, misled, misinformed, evil, and the root of everything wrong in the world, practice curiosity.)
Here are some phrases you can use with family members during the holidays to validate differences while still helping people feel connected:
Acknowledging Different Perspectives:
"I can see why you feel that way, and it's important to me that we both feel heard."
"I understand where you're coming from, even if we see things differently."
Expressing Respect for Opinions:
"I respect your viewpoint, and I appreciate you sharing it with me."
"It's okay that we don't agree on everything; what matters is that we can still enjoy each other's company."
Finding Common Ground:
"Even though we have different opinions, I think we both want what's best for our family."
"Let's focus on what we do agree on, like how much we value spending time together."
Encouraging Open Dialogue:
"I'd love to hear more about your thoughts on this; it helps me understand you better."
"I'm here to listen, and I hope you feel the same way about hearing my perspective."
Maintaining Connection Despite Differences:
"Our differences don't change how much I care about you and our relationship."
"I think it's great that we can have these conversations and still remain close."
Agreeing to Disagree:
"It sounds like we might just see this differently, and that's okay."
"Let's agree to disagree on this one, but I still value our time together."
