Here are a couple of tips and hints that just may help you through some of those less-than Hallmark moments.

As you sit in the living room, listening to Uncle Arthur complain about the economy and Aunt Ethel gripe about….everything try the following…

Stop, breathe, breathe, breathe and consciously relax.

Intentionally soften your gaze, look at each of them (yes, even Aunt Ethel) with “soft eyes” and allow your energy to turn into a soft rose colored mist, a mantle of compassion and love, and wrap it around each of them (and yourself). I usually kinda check out of the conversation, I allow the loving energy to flow around me, and slip into a bit of a “happy place” as I sit there. Then I can pulse out the good vibes, the happy, loving energy. If they say or do something that is (fill in any emotion-annoying, frustrating, maddening…you get my drift) just intensify the rose love mantle and remember they are doing the best they can with the tools they have in their toolkit. Then repeat.

This can take you through a lot of potentially frustrating get-togethers. But if there is not enough loving rose colored misty vibe to get you through the afternoon here are a few more tips…

Go for a walk. Invite anyone to join you (you know who will or won’t) and get out for some fresh air. No one will argue with that!

Run some errands and get out for a bit. Tell everyone you forgot something and then bring back…something! Hahahah! Does not have to be huge, a bag of special coffee or a CD of holiday music or extra water. The idea is just to get out of the house for a bit and BE.

Escape to another room alone and check email. Everyone understands email. Stretch it out for as long as is comfortable for you.

If you can get away with it, take a lot of naps. You do not even have to sleep, just escape into a spare room, possibly pop on your iPod and relax.

Last but not least, take a long bath. Sea salts, bubble bath…get in there and luxuriate for a bit! Lock the door, pop on your iPod and wallow in being ALONE.