JANELLE THIESSEN [00:00:02]:
Today we're talking about how to enjoy the holiday season by staying present, by prioritizing the things that matter, and most importantly, by being more self aware and reflective. Dad and I will both share a little of our current inner work with being self aware and reflective and we'll talk about some cool ways to connect with family and friends throughout the holidays without falling prey to the chaos and drama that is sometimes a factor in friend or family gatherings.
RON THIESSEN [00:00:34]:
Hey, it's Ron Thiessen. Welcome to another episode of the Human Being Project by The Change Evolutionist, where my daughter Janelle and I explore the difference between being and doing.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:00:43]:
In a world of constant distractions, sky high expectations, and the relentless pursuit of more, we examine what would happen if we made space for more being and less doing.
RON THIESSEN [00:00:59]:
I remember when we lived in the US for about five years and between Thanksgiving and Christmas, it's a huge holiday celebration kind of season and people are doing all kinds of things. Seems like it's constant that there's events and there's fundraising things and there's family events and there's work get togethers and it's just so much celebration going on. So it's a very busy time of year for most people.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:01:26]:
Yeah, and although there's lots of awesome experiences and sharing with people, there can also be a lot of stress around the holidays. Even with relationships with the people that you feel that you're supposed to be close to, like say, family versus chosen family. So we want to talk a little bit about that, how you can stay a little bit more present and mindful throughout the holidays.
RON THIESSEN [00:01:46]:
There's another challenge that comes with all of the events that get planned within that 30 or 40 day framework and that is to work with the expectation. You know, it's very easy to be thinking, okay, I'm at this party tonight and in three days I have another party and so I'm actually living in the future at that other party while I'm at this one. And how difficult that is to stay in the moment, I think sometimes becomes even more difficult. If you have things that you're really looking forward to or things maybe even that you're dreading and you start focusing your attention on that and you live that whole experience before you get there and miss the experience you're having right now.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:02:26]:
And then there's the aspect of the relationships, the dynamics between the people that might be at these like family get togethers or even Christmas parties, those you do for work and those you do for family and extended family. There can be a lot of complex dynamics there. And I think it's important to remember that even though your family members are your family and you feel an obligation and in some cases you're very close with family, that's cool. But if you're not and you feel like, I got to do this, we got to show up, we got to be present for the meal. There's going to be drama. You're going to have family dynamics for sure. So dad, what do you suggest for navigating complex family dynamics? Especially if you have narcissists in the family or people who sabotage family events or bring drama, what do you do?
RON THIESSEN [00:03:16]:
Well, my suggestion would be to carefully think through that before you're in that situation and make some decisions about how you're going to respond. I think there are two really important things to do. First of all, to make an attempt at least to try to understand the perspective of that person who might be intimidating to you or who you feel you might have a problem with or that there's going to be drama or whatever. Try to understand their point of view, first of all. If you can put yourself in their shoes, that's going to help you to navigate whatever they throw out. Lots of people who create drama seem sort of self centered in settings like that, where it's all about me. Many times they're dealing with very low self esteem themselves and they're trying to navigate the environment so that everybody's paying attention to them, or even navigating the environment so that they sort of disappear. And now in their disappearing, everybody's attention is on them.
RON THIESSEN [00:04:16]:
They're sulking in the corner. Or people have ways of managing the attention directed to them that can be very interesting sometimes. So the first thing is take some time to really think about this person's perspective. It may stir up some compassion in you or it may stir up some level of understanding that maybe you didn't see or adhere to before. And then when you get in the situation to determine that you're not going to take things personally from those people who create drama. Because they're creating drama for their own purposes and they would do it no matter who's there, usually. And so if you end up being the brunt of that attack, to not take that personally, to say this is about them, this is not about me. Because people who have anxiety, first of all, they have one of two reactions. They either want to disappear so that nobody knows that they're there because in their anxiety they shrink away from the contact. Or they want to take control.
RON THIESSEN [00:05:18]:
And the taking control can be very significant. Like you can have people in situations like that that people look at them and say they're a control freak, they need to control everything, right? But they're only doing that because their anxiety drives them to get their hands around the issue, right, whatever it is. And it goes from big issues to tiny issues. But by getting their hands around it, when they exercise their own angst and get control, it gives them this very temporary sense of relief. It's very temporary. It's like getting a drug fix. You got to get on to the next one because it doesn't hold you very long. But it does give internally, it gives them this sense of relief.
RON THIESSEN [00:06:00]:
The anxiety is rising. They grab control of the situation and, oh good, at least now I'm in control. Now I know what's happening. But the thing is that because it's like a fix that you get, it demands more and more and more and more control for less and less, actually, relief of anxiety. So it's a merry go round. But the thing is that if somebody is like that, they have anxiety and they take control and if they're angry, so if they're in a situation and this happens sometimes with family, there's grudges, there's long held things I don't forget and et cetera, and I'm going to hold this against you. So those people, their anxiety prompts them to take control and they're angry. Then they become like the puppet master.
RON THIESSEN [00:06:47]:
They want everybody on their strings and they will often sow discord in between members in that, so if it's a family we're talking about, they'll talk to one member of the family and say, do you know what this person is saying about you? Another member of the family? And they'll go to that other member of the family and they'll say something bad about this other person so they can watch them fight about something that is manufactured, but nobody knows it's manufactured. So then they become like the puppet master controlling the strings. And that is the ultimate sense of relief from the anxiety because now I really feel like I'm in control. Everybody's kind of following my script, right?
And we see this sometimes in family situations where they can have fights about what dinnerware are we going to use for the dinner, what tablecloth are we going to have? What's going to be the color scheme? It can be really silly things like that, or it can be really big things, like many years ago you did this to me and you broke the family. It could be major issues, right? So the first thing is to see if you can get a perspective of what that person is actually bringing into that environment, what they're bringing into the mix.
Because here's something that happens. If you stoop to the level then of getting into their stuff, like they're getting into your stuff, you're inviting that negative energy to just multiply and then it invariably will.
RON THIESSEN [00:08:15]:
And I know there are lots of people who, when they get together with a family, they know it's going to end in a fight. They know somebody's going to be storming out mad and just leaving and saying, I'm never going to see you guys again. They know it's going to escalate. And when you escalate a conflict, it indicates that you've lost the hope that it could be resolved. And that escalation can take you either into indifference or manifesting reactions and responses. And it can get very unmanageable then. So that's the first thing.
And the second thing is to not take personally what they're doing, realizing that as you've understood their perspective, and maybe you've even seen where, yeah, they really have to protect themselves in this family environment because if they don't, they're going to get chopped up. So then you can see why they would try to hold everybody at a distance so they could protect themselves.
RON THIESSEN [00:09:09]:
So then realize that in order to do that, they're going to be projecting all of their angst out on the family. And so, to not take that personally because in projecting their angst, then they want to get other people all riled up, right. For many people that's the only environment that they're really comfortable in is when there's chaos and everybody is just at each other's throat. And they're used to that. They're comfortable in that environment because it's what they're used to.
So then to not take those things personally and realize this is their issue. I know they're pointing at me, but it's their issue. This has nothing to do with me. So then if you can disconnect from the emotional reaction of that and just step away. What that does is it bounces back.
RON THIESSEN [00:09:59]:
Then their projection bounces back to them. And then they have to decide they're going to do one of two things. They're either going to project it somewhere else, they're going to deflect it now somewhere else, onto somebody else, or a different situation or whatever, or they're going to have to deal with it themselves.
But if people are good at projecting and they're good at creating chaos, they're almost never called to account for what they're doing. And so it's a strategy that works for them and that's why they do it. They used to have this show, maybe it's still around, called Intervention, where the family and friends and stuff would, they knew there was a person who had a drug problem or there was something very significant, and they would stage an intervention where they would bring this person into the setting without them knowing what they were going to be facing. And now everybody who cares about them is around them saying, we see, this thing is going off the rails, right.
RON THIESSEN [00:10:51]:
And sometimes that can happen if everybody in the setting is not taking it personally, if they don't accept the projection, it actually creates the environment then for that person to have to face their own stuff and potentially deal with it, maybe. Lots of times people won't they won't face it, they won't deal with it. And that's usually when they storm off and I'm leaving this, nobody cares about me, blah, blah all of that story, right. And trying to stimulate the guilt of people responding, saying, no, we care. Okay, what is it that you need? And then now you start going on their agenda, right.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:11:29]:
I think it's also important to ask yourself if it's possible that you are the source of conflict or drama. Are you the person that is trying to manipulate or feeling insecure and using tactics that if you reflected on them, you wouldn't be quite proud of. A good way to know this is to pay attention to the people around you. Are people sort of acquiescing to you? Are they tiptoeing around you?
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:11:55]:
Are you the center of the conflict? Because if you are, you have a golden opportunity this season to observe yourself in those situations and then reflect on your observations. Are you using passive aggressive behavior to get your way? Do you make others feel guilty if they don't meet your expectations? Are you striving for perfection, like getting the table setting just right or buying the perfect gift no matter the cost, rather than being present and enjoying the company of the people you love?
If, as I'm speaking, you're either feeling huge resistance, like, no, I'm not the problem, it's so and so, or oh my goodness, maybe it is me, then this is your sign to reflect on it a little more. Typically, resistance or defensiveness are pretty reliable indicators that something needs to be addressed.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:12:49]:
If you find yourself pretty open to exploring if you might be creating undue stress or conflict, it's probably not you. If you're not the source of the drama, however, how do you diffuse the discomfort or the conflict caused by others during the holidays?
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:13:04]:
Well, hang tight. We've got more creative ideas coming up that you can easily implement this holiday season.
RON THIESSEN [00:13:14]:
I would encourage you to do some experiments around Christmas. Okay, so we're having our usual family gathering. It's the 24th or whatever day. So tonight I am not going to take control or tonight I'm not going to take things personally, or I'm just going to try something different. We've talked about this before. The patterns that we have that we establish in relationships, and we do that for our own sanity, right? And we need to know, okay, this person, this is how I interact with them. But if you want something different, just break the pattern. So to decide, I'm just going to break the pattern this Christmas. Instead of coming in with my defenses up, which is what I usually do, I'm going to come up with my defenses down and let's see what happens.
You say, well, I might get really hurt, or somebody might take advantage of me. Okay, that's okay. That would be an outcome that you could look at and say, why did that trigger me? Whatever reactions it triggered in you, why was that? And is that the only reaction I can have? Maybe I can have a different kind of reaction and just experiment with some things, try different things. Or even if it's not even family gatherings, let's say it's the office party and you go like, I hate these things, but I have to show up. Well, go there with the attitude, I'm going to actually invest myself in someone else at this party, and I'm going to see if I can make their Christmas season a bit happier or a bit more joyful or whatever. So take the weight of yourself out of the equation and say, I'm just going to be there to benefit somebody else.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:14:47]:
And that was a powerful turning point for me in family and social situations, was when I made that shift, when I directed the focus away from how is everyone making me feel? Do I feel safe? Do I feel accepted? Do I feel like I'm okay being me? And instead of doing that, I assumed, I decided to approach it from a perspective of, I assume that I'm good. I assume that all is well, everybody is okay with me, I'm fine. What can I give? How can I change the experience for somebody else? How can I step in and make it better for them or show them love or be kind?
And when that shift happened in my mind, from focusing on myself to focusing on others, it was so powerful in creating a totally different experience for me. So even if you can experiment, like you said, in small ways with that approach, how can I make this moment not about me and about somebody else? Whether you think it's fair or not, whether you think I deserve for it to be about me. You could be right, you could be wrong. But it doesn't really matter because your sense of well being and happiness will actually come from creating safe spaces and loving spaces and kindness for other people. I speak from experience. I have come so far. I've come so far and I'm really proud of myself because I used to be the classic manipulator with passive aggressive and overt tactics to try and get certain responses.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:16:15]:
And I feel so much freer and so much more comfortable in my own skin without holding on to all those, without needing to control how people perceive and respond to me.
But the other day, I fell off the wagon because, as you know, I was speaking at your class and I've told my husband many times when I'm speaking at your class and he's always checked out like he's got his own life to live. He doesn't remember when I was going to do it or whatever. So I sent him a text afterwards because he had sent me a text about his own life. And so I was like, of course he forgot. So I sent him a text that said, oh, the talk went great, and then in all caps, thanks for asking. Which of course prompted a phone call from him, right? Like, oh, yeah, how did that go? And I was like, well, it's a bit late now. And he's trying to appease, right? And I said, you know what, it's okay. All I really wanted was for you to feel guilty for a minute. And normally I would never, ever have owned what my motives were. I would have just played that to the nth degree.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:17:15]:
Right. Days, weeks, whatever. Brought it up months later. Oh, well, you always forget that I have blah blah. Right. But in that moment, I decided I used a different tactic, which I've begun to use more frequently, and that is calling myself on my own BS in the moment. It's like an instant diffuser of conflict and stress.
RON THIESSEN [00:17:34]:
Yes.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:17:35]:
And the other person feels safe suddenly. They're like, oh, this was going so dark so fast, and now, boom, we're laughing. Right. So if I can encourage you with that story, just do things like that. Call yourself on your own BS in the moment when it's happening. And although I would say you could do that with other people, you could maybe call them on their own BS, I would suggest no.
RON THIESSEN [00:17:57]:
Right. Well, anytime. I mean, you can indicate to them, I understand what you're doing, and I'm not going to let that slide. I have a boundary. I'm not going to let you cross that boundary. But it doesn't matter how much you call them on their own stuff until they're ready to deal with it, they won't.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:18:14]:
That's right.
RON THIESSEN [00:18:15]:
And you can't force that agenda. You can bring to their attention, and sometimes people need to have it brought to their attention several times before they realize, yeah, actually, I am like that.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:18:28]:
Yeah.
RON THIESSEN [00:18:28]:
So I'd like to switch gears for a second, if you don't mind, and I want to talk about making memories at Christmas time and realizing it is a season of giving. Typically, that's what's kind of been the focus of the Christmas season, but it can be so easy to lose the view of what this season means in terms of human interactions and relationships and make it about stuff.
And I'm always reminded of that saying, people will forget what you say and they will forget what you do, but they will never forget how you made them feel. My encouragement is that if you're determined that you're going to do whatever you can to make this Christmas season, this holiday season, a wonderful one for as many people as possible, then if gift exchanging is part of what you do during this season, I'm going to really encourage you that as you're unwrapping your gift, to make that moment something that you're going to remember how you felt in that moment. Because three years, four years from now, you may not remember what you got, but you will remember what was the setting. Oh, we had such a great Christmas back there in 2023.
RON THIESSEN [00:19:47]:
Remember Christmas of 2023? It was really something else. Right? That's what you will remember if you can build those kinds of memories instead of making it about stuff. And just realize even as you're unwrapping your gift or as you're watching someone else unwrap a gift from you to them, to really be in that moment and say, it's not about what I'm giving, it's about the fact that I thought about you, I didn't do this thoughtlessly I did it thoughtfully.
And even if you wrap your gifts, even the way I wrapped it, I thought you would appreciate this color. You would appreciate that and realize these are things that are meaningful to the individual if you take the time to focus in the moment.
I've been in situations where, it wasn't really that way in our house growing up, but I've been in situations where the kids are getting their gifts, and they're just tearing into them, and they're flinging stuff all over the place, and they don't even know who gave them what.
RON THIESSEN [00:20:48]:
They just have to get to the package. And then it's like this huge adrenaline rush. And then you're just left exhausted at the end. You'd feel like, okay, now it's over. Now what? So to be mindful of what's happening. And with kids, I mean, kids are probably not going to be very mindful. They're going to be very focused on it's gift time, and I'm going to be getting my gifts, and that's okay. But then to enjoy that excitement, observe that, that these kids have about this kind of time of year, and just let those memories soak in, because those are the things you will remember later on. It's not what you got, it's how all of that unfolded, right?
RON THIESSEN [00:21:28]:
And the feeling that you have in that situation.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:21:31]:
Yeah. And a lot of it as well, are the traditions, the things that you do every year that are sacred to your family or that are precious memories you create. The traditions are so amazing, right? And you look forward to them every year. Just enjoy those traditions, immerse yourself in them fully, even prioritizing that over the gift giving can be magic.
But about gift giving, I wanted to say in our household, growing up, mom made it a tradition that we just went slowly, like, each person opened a present, and everybody was present while that person was opening a present. And then we went on to the next person, and we really, really, really took our time, like a Christmas Eve long winded affair, which I loved. Fire crackling.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:22:18]:
And all the attention is on you when you're opening your present. All the attention is on the person when they're opening your present. So you really get to share those moments with each other. And I think it was an amazing way to approach gift giving.
RON THIESSEN [00:22:33]:
I loved that too, and I actually haven't seen it since then. I see the handout of the presents, okay? And then now everybody has their stack of presents.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:22:42]:
I don't like that.I don't like that.
RON THIESSEN [00:22:42]:
No, because two things happen, right? You open your own gifts, and you're just in your own little reaction that you're having. And so the person who gave you the gift doesn't even see your reaction. And also, then you're comparing, how many do I have and how many does everybody else have? Right? How popular am I here?
But I love that too. When we would do that, we would take the time and we would do also around Christmas and especially around Thanksgiving, do you remember? We would sit around the table at those events and we would spend the time to say to each person at the table what I'm thankful for about you or what I'm grateful for about you or what you bring to my life. And those were really meaningful times too. Because you had to dig deep and you had to say things in the course of life going by. You think them, but you don't necessarily say them. Right?
And so to sit and have that reflection time and say this is what I really appreciate about you. And more than that, even looking in the other person's eyes to say those things. I often talk about when we're giving recognition to somebody and let's say it's in a group and we're giving recognition to that person, we talk about them as if they're not there.
RON THIESSEN [00:24:02]:
So we're in a group and say, one thing I really appreciate about Janelle is that she's always there and there you're sitting right there. If you turn to that person and you look them in the eye and you say, this is what I really appreciate about you, it's a completely different dynamic. And the feeling of those words going straight to the heart, if I'm the recipient of that message, the feeling of that going straight to my heart, it cannot be duplicated by speaking to the group and saying something, you know what I really appreciate about Ron is this and this. When you look me in the eye and say, thank you for doing that, or this is how you've impacted my life, that's major.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:24:43]:
Yeah, the looking in the eye would throw me a little bit. I had an interaction yesterday, actually, with somebody who was like eye contact from the very first moment I met them. And I was a little like that's a lot. But also, I think that tradition of sitting around a table and sharing the things that you're thankful for should not be exclusive to Thanksgiving. I mean, it's a great Christmas tradition if you want to incorporate it, and it's a great daily tradition if you want to incorporate it. It's up to you how much of that you want to do. But I think sharing that with each other can be very impactful.
So let's switch gears one more time and give some people some ideas about some holiday traditions that encourage connection.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:25:23]:
Things like volunteering, for example. A lot of people have a tradition that serves the homeless or serves their community somehow, or they connect with people who have less than they have. And it doesn't matter how big of a show you make of that. In fact, it's really not about the show you're making. It's just about how do you get yourself into a mode of giving without expectation.
You're not giving because your son expects you to buy him a PlayStation or an Xbox. You're giving because it's coming from the heart. How are you impacting the people that live in your community or the people in your family with thoughtful and conscientious gift giving or experiences. Like making handmade gifts, for example? I mean, a lot of people joke about that.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:26:11]:
I don't want somebody's handmade gift. And one year I did try that in our family, I was like, why don't this year none of us spend money and we all just make something for each other. Guess how well that went over. Do you want a drawing of a stick figure because that's what you're getting.
RON THIESSEN [00:26:29]:
So did you get an earful at that grateful time around the table? I can't believe you gave me a handmade gift this year.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:26:36]:
It's tricky because for some people, for Kevin, my husband, one of his love languages is receiving gifts. Of course I don't understand that love language because it's not mine at all. And it can be confusing for someone who doesn't care about receiving gifts. It almost seems like the other person is greedy or they're materialistic or whatever. But for some reason it's just their love language and you got to respect it and honor it. And so when I said I'll make you handmade gifts, he was like he's a 50 year old guy with a Christmas list like the kind you're going to give Santa, right? I want this and I want this and I want this. So that wasn't his cup of tea. So I would suggest know the audience, read the room.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:27:20]:
And see if that's actually going to be good.
RON THIESSEN [00:27:24]:
That could open up a whole new because some people who have a Christmas list like that, if you don't get everything on the list, like kids are like that if you don't get everything on the list, all of a sudden there's disappointment. Rather than gratitude for what they did get, they're disappointed for what they didn't get, which is a very human thing. People so often they think about, talk about, and focus on what they don't have or what they don't want, rather than what they have or what they want. Right? And it makes life disappointing over and over and over again.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:28:00]:
I would like to plead a case for those who have a Christmas wish list that is all like super expensive items. Have a little mercy. Like not everybody wants to buy you a $500 gift. Throw in a couple of ones that are like a book for $35. Be kind.
RON THIESSEN [00:28:16]:
Book! I like that idea.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:28:17]:
Yeah, you like that idea Dad. Of course you do.
RON THIESSEN [00:28:25]:
But when we're talking about Christmas traditions and things that you can do, I know there are a number of families who they will deliver Christmas boxes when they deliver food to families that don't have enough or Christmas toys or something like that, they know there's a household where the kids don't have enough. And interesting that I have, full disclosure here, because I came home the other day and Maryz said to me, would you like to volunteer going door to door to get things that people want to donate to families that are underprivileged? And I said, no, I'm not interested in that. And she said, well, how about volunteering at the center where they put stuff together for boxes that they're going to deliver to families. I said, I'm not interested in that either. I started thinking about it.
RON THIESSEN [00:29:19]:
You're actually making me think about it because it's a really wonderful tradition. Some families go where they feed homeless people and they're giving them Christmas dinner and they volunteer there and try to connect, not necessarily connect with the people, but give them this sense of we care about you, you're not alone. Right. And so my reaction was right off the top and as I thought about it, it sort of surprised me.
But for me, what it is is that, if I go door to door, I need to be speaking French with these people and I'm just not comfortable enough to start up a conversation. I can get into a conversation and I can carry it. But to start up a conversation, yeah, we're here, we're collecting toys. And same thing, working with a bunch of volunteers, everybody's going to be speaking French. And I feel that.
RON THIESSEN [00:30:19]:
Well, I wish I didn't, but I do. So that's an interesting thing for me to look at for this season. I think I might go back to Maryz and tell her, listen, let's volunteer. I'm going to do it. Let's do it. I think it would be a good experience.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:30:35]:
I think it's very observant of you to say that because it's out of your comfort zone, but I also think it's out of your comfort zone because you're an introvert, and so social interactions are draining a little bit sometimes for you, especially if there's a large group of people, and then if you add the language dynamic in there, boy!
And so that's good that you brought it up because there's introverts out there that are thinking Christmas get togethers and big groups of people is not my idea of a good time. And that's okay. That's okay! I know you have a strategy, if it's okay for me to say it, you'll leave a room of very noisy, busy people and it's not because they're too noisy and busy and you're annoyed with them, but you need time to decompress. You need time to reboot. You need like a little break away from all of the activity and noise. And that is okay.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:31:24]:
And as an introvert, you have every right to do that. And if you need to do it, you should do it because it means you're going to be more present and available in the moments that you are there in the middle of a group. So I'm glad you brought that up because you're not the only introvert that's experiencing Christmas.
RON THIESSEN [00:31:39]:
Yeah, for sure. Yeah. And you're right, I do use that as a strategy. And it's interesting because it depends on how much presence you have in that group, how long it takes them to realize that you're not there. So you have to be strategic about it. But even sometimes, if it really is a really strong need, if that group, you just let them know every once in a while I just have to step away. It's just a little bit too much. Not even that it's too much.
RON THIESSEN [00:32:11]:
I just need some breathing room. I need to step outside, I need to go for a little walk. I just need a bit of a break. And that's legit. If you stay in spite of what you're feeling, you're going to get frustrated and maybe even angry that you're stuck here, right? So don't let yourself be stuck.
And if you need to explain to somebody, your partner or somebody that knows you well, say, I just got to slip out for a little bit so that they can make excuses, their excuses for you or your excuses for you, if people notice that you're gone, that might be a good thing to do too.
RON THIESSEN [00:32:50]:
So we're coming to the end of our first year podcasting. So I know we haven't been doing it for a year, but we're ending our first calendar year of podcasting. And I have so enjoyed this. We've talked to so many interesting people and had wonderful discussions. Lots of good things have happened as a result of this podcast. And I feel happy every time we're getting ready to record and we're going to do another episode. I'm so happy that it's there, that it's coming out and let whoever wants to benefit from it, benefit from it. But I think you and I are getting the most benefit of anybody.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:33:21]:
Yeah, we are. Yeah, we are.
RON THIESSEN [00:33:22]:
Because it's really done some amazing things in the months that we've been doing it. So I'm so glad we're doing this together.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:33:31]:
Me too.
RON THIESSEN [00:33:31]:
And I think that makes it unique. Who would have ever thought that you and I would be doing this? If we look back 20 years ago, it would have been like...
So all the very best of the holiday season, to everyone who's listening and from our heart to yours, hope that this holiday season is one of the best you've ever experienced.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:33:52]:
We're taking a break through the holidays to focus on family and festivities, but we'll be back January 11th to address all those New Year's resolutions you just know you're going to make. You know the ones when you feel inspired or obligated even, after weeks of indulgence and play. In the meantime, enjoy the holidays. Say no to unnecessary stress and pressure and just sink right into those beautiful moments you get to spend with the people you love.
If you're alone this holiday season or you're feeling lonely or isolated, please know that you're never truly alone. Sometimes you do have to reach out to new people and create your own tribe to find that sense of belonging you crave. No matter what, though, we're here for you, and we're excited to share the season energetically with you, spiritually with you. Have the Merriest Merriest Christmas.
JANELLE THIESSEN [00:34:52]:
What did you think of this episode? Head over to the private Change Evolutionist Community Chat to join the conversation. Find the link in the show notes.
We're excited to announce that you can find the Human Being Project on Wisdom, a social media app that promotes authentic connections and meaningful conversations with real people. This is great news for you because it gives you an opportunity to ask a question anonymously and get a voice reply from one of us. Just go to wisdom.app/humanbeingproject/ask, type your question, and click send!
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Ron Thiessen is a practicing psychologist and educator. To apply as a guest on the podcast please visit thechangeevolutionist.com/podcastguest.
