Thanksgiving get togethers can be tricky. Clashes can happen amidst some really wonderful warm happy moments. Those collisions and outbursts indicate unresolved anger, pain, shame, guilt and resentment on someone’s part. Then the memories and uncomfortable feelings that the last couple days may have brought up. We might want to lose ourself in distractions to put as much distance between us and those things that make us squirm. But, if we are willing to face those old ghosts and shadows, we may be able to clear some much needed headspace and free our hearts from chains… and so, we bravely step into it and move through it, like it’s a mirror, emerging out the other side cleansed.

To look at what still gives us twinges in our gut or an ache in our heads. To see things differently and see how strong we are now from what we went through, and be glad for the strength we gained from the experience. To make peace with the realization that we acted with the best intentions and awareness at the time, even if we didn’t get perfect results, unlocks the chains holding bits of us back then and there. To be able to say the things we always wanted to say to clear things up but were too afraid to say them. This enables us to rise above and participate in the higher vibrational aspects of life… or participate in life at a higher vibration.

What about the person who is still carrying a grudge, how can we best help them? We can let them know that they are loved and that we still love them, regardless. Sometimes that’s all it takes. We can also not force them to see or deal with anything for which they are not yet ready. Oh yes, we can plant seeds of little messages that could bring them a lightbulb moment down the line. We can pray for them and call in Angelic assistance. We could even take the tough love route and tell them truth straight up in as non-threatening a way as we can possibly muster. So many choices. One thing I know is that our hearts will be our guide. The energies are so high that anything is possible.

At the dinner table, someone’s fear and hopelessness were probably expressed. How do we assist? We suggest they tap into a strength that comes from a place they carved out from some intense situation they survived a long time ago. We tell them to revisit and reclaim that strength. That strength feeds our faith and hope now. If we let it, hopelessness also motivates us to stand up and be the change we want to see in the world. Sometimes taking action and getting involved is just the thing that those emotions were pointing us toward.

We can use these uncomfortable situations to cleanse ourselves of old resentments that still take up space. We can also help someone else take their first steps toward clearing their own stuff and encourage them to take steps forward. Cleansing the yuck out of our lives feels great, leaving us more alive and ready to take on new challenges. Instead of falling into the same old pitfalls, we can sidestep and leap over them to brighter days.