Deck your halls

The Holidays are times that are especially inclined toward emotional violence as we are forced by tradition to spend time with and act courteous toward those we may not particularly care to.
You know, our Loved Ones...

Why do we still attend dinners and such with our families if we do not truly wish to be around them? Why is there this obligation to be offended by the people that offend us the most?

It seems to me that we attend out of a desire to play in the great drama that is Life. We like to say things like,"I have to go or my Mom, that bitch, will have a fit and I'll never hear the end of it". Poor me, I blame my childhood.
Or,"well if I don't show up my poor sister will be there all alone with my asshole brother."
Super Sibling to the rescue!!!
What a load of shit. We go because we know that we are not good enough NOT to go. We know deep down inside that we must be with our own or risk losing that part of ourselves which we so identify with. The part we don't like but can't seem to give up.
If we were not swimming in the same emotional muck as those we complain about, we simply would not deal with it. We would either go and not be offended or we would know that the environment is not conducive to our emotional health and not subject ourselves to it.

I submit that we discontinue our yearly ritual of sniveling about having to attend "The Holidays".
I submit that we decide instead to address the issue within ourselves, at least, and with the others, ideally. Why is it up to "them" to take action towards resolution? Do it yourself, if for nothing more than to be able to feel empowered by yourself. RISE ABOVE.
If you are settled in the mind of "they won't change, listen, understand, etc." then you have not risen above. You have simply changed roles. Do more. Change again. It cannot be anymore painful than the current existence.

Thanksgiving is past for this year. Spend December being thankful that you are endowed with freedom and intelligence. Be grateful that you have the ability to take any situation and make the necessary changes, within yourself, toward improvement. The result may not be immediate but the feeling of "positive forward momentum" is instantaneous. It is empowering. It begets the purity of Love. It fills your heart with true gratitude for everything and everyone. Even your asshole brother.