As we get closer to Christmas and the shops are starting to jingle with those old tunes we know so well, it’s a fun time to think about all of those old chestnuts, and no, we aren’t talking about the ones roasting on an open fire, but those well-worn patterns we all seem to run at this time of the year.
It’s almost a tradition in most families to play out the same roles year after year. Perhaps Uncle Joe eats too much ham and falls asleep on the couch before dessert is even served, or maybe Aunty Gladys gets a bit tipsy and starts on about the thing that Betty said to her in 1974. Again. We almost have a wry smile as we think about these well-worn paths, as they are expected, and therefore almost comforting.
But of course these paths aren’t only trodden over Christmas, and they aren’t always comforting or harmless. Sometimes they can be so ingrained that we can’t even see a way to get out of the rut we have created, despite knowing how much they keep us from clicking into the vibrant life we have dreamed for ourselves.
Jim Rohn famously said that our finances are an average of the five people we hang out with the most, and we think that this applies to all of the life areas. We also know that the people we hang out with want us to be like them “I like you because you’re like me” and so they will perform a thing called a Herd Correction when we stray to far from the comfort of the group. This can be financially, emotionally or even physically.
This week we would love to you use your innate inquistive-ness to have a look at your herd. Through loving eyes, notice which relationships and patterns are serving you, and which ones could be more resourceful.
We aren’t asking you to ditch your family and friends, but we would love you to use your natural intelligence to examine your close relationships and start to see them for what they are. (We will debrief this on the podcast).
So tally-ho Cliquers, it’s time to roast some of those old chestnuts.
-Alison and Sam