Creating a Complaint Free Zone (CFZ) for the Holidays

Imagine a family holiday gathering and nobody is complaining? That would be some kind of a miracle right? Well, I don’t think so; I think it should be the normal. Here are a few tips that we use to create a complaint fee zone.

1. It all starts with you,
It all begins with your attitude, your attitude. WE must realize that our attitude is the driving force of our environment and will assist in the creation of a CFZ for the holidays. You are in control of your attitude or at least you should be and it is really the only one (attitude) that you are responsible for. So don’t let it get out of your control. Have a great attitude!!!  Work on it.

2. Have Fun, too many times we get to uptight and take things too seriously. Lighten up, for crying out loud. Have some fun, tell some jokes, do something stupid. That will be what your kids and grand kids will remember.

3. Clean Up the Stinky,
What do you do when someone comes by with a rotten stinky attitude? You know it ruins it for everyone. Some how that one person takes control of the house, man I hate that. So what can you do? Over take the stinky with what is sweet. Thanksgiving and praise has a way of being infectious and can take over a room when it is present. Try starting some conversations that everyone is thankful about. Go back to a wonderful memory and start taking about that. Sing quietly, whistle, that’s one thing I remember about my Dad, he was always whistling and my Mom always was singing or humming a sweet melody. It is hard for “el stinko” to survive when someone is thankful and really that is what the holidays are suppose to be about.

4. Say What?
Look out that conversation is going to drag you down, you better shut up it’s going to get ugly. Ever feel that way? There are some topics at a family gathering that should not be talked about; something’s you better leave alone or take control of. I had this happen just a few days ago. Some friends of mine were talking about another friend of ours and not talking about him in a very good light. I was in the other room and was overhearing their conversation. One of them asked me if I was “hearing the conversation” and my answer shut them down, I said “I am trying not to hear your conversation”. That was all it took, I wasn’t mean I didn’t say “Hay! Shut up!” although I have been known to do that. But really you can guide people with your words, inspire them to talk about good things, after all there is plenty of time in the right setting, to talk about the problems.

5. Not Everybody Gets a Back Stage Pass
A friend of mine has been on the road with a BIG TIME rock star and they were coming to KC and I called on my friend for some free tickets and back stage passes. He said, “pick up your tickets at the door but “The ROCK STAR” doesn’t let anyone back stage”. What? Little old me? Not allowed why? Because he was in control of his environment it was that simple. Don’t give everyone a back stage pass, don’t allow the trouble makers to take control, you have to control access. There are some folks that you shouldn’t invite and there are some folks that should come a little later in the day. Don’t be controlling but at the same time be in control.

Most of all be deliberate, take some time to pray and prepare and not just the meal. Great times, memorable times can happen spontaneously and but often they are planned and there is nothing wrong with that.  Choose some topics to discuss, find some old pictures or videos anything to help guide you to a great event.