There can be an uneasiness for some about going home for the holidays. I’m sure you’ve heard stories.  If you’ve gotten in arguments, felt like you had to walk on egg shells, or had difficulty interacting with family members or guests, it can be challenging to relax and enjoy yourself.  Each year at Thanksgiving people gather around the TV to watch football teams battle it out, but our featured guest thinks the battle has moved to the table about politics, lifestyles, or navigating differences in opinion.  Can’t we all just get along?  Today we’d like to introduce you to a solution.  If you’d like to have a peaceful dialogue with anyone about anything, our featured guest Dennis Cohen, Founder of Resolutionaries, has a savvy formula for you!

If, like us, you yearn to have CALM and productive conversations with your family around the table and throughout the holidays, we’ve got you covered.  Today you can be “CALM” no matter what is happening to you or around you, by communicating with empathy, and withholding judgment or condemnation.  I feel more relaxed already. Don’t you?

The C.A.L.M. Method:

CONNECT–  Say why the relationship is important. Acknowledge past discussions and any difficulties. Ask if you’re willing to try again, with new methods. Agree to be respectful, to listen, to create a safe zone. The goal is to connect and understand, not convince. On repeat rounds, acknowledge progress and challenges. Be honest with “what’s so.”

ASK–  Open-ended questions. Be curious, don’t interrogate. Ask about the factual basis for beliefs. Ask about source materials. Ask about underlying values. Agree to a mutual fact-finding mission.

LISTEN–  Pay close attention. Listen to understand, not to respond. Listen for values and emotions. Listen for commonalities. Remember to breathe!

MIRROR–  Paraphrase what you heard. Acknowledge emotions and values. When the other person feels heard and understood, you can repeat or switch roles.

For more information, to attend a live event or get involved, visit: www.Resolutionaries.org

Watch the new CALM video below: