Thanksgiving just passed and the holidays and New Year’s Day are upon us.  These are times traditionally spent with family and loved ones.  However, those of us in the family law realm know that it can also be a time of stress, conflict, and emotionally charged situations.  I want to take an opportunity just to add a bit of perspective.

Oftentimes people feel trapped and helpless in their family situations.  Whether or not this is reality is immaterial, since experiencing the feelings are bad enough.  Please take a deep breath and a step back the next time you decide that you want to escalate conflict.  Let’s work together as a community and society to remove conflict from family situations.

Let’s face it, if you’re standing in a court room, both sides have already lost (whether it’s time, money, dignity, or all of the above).  Sometimes relationships don’t go as we planned, or change into something else altogether.  And sometimes things just run their course and it’s time for people to go their own way.  But there is no requirement for conflict.

“Fear is the path to the dark side.  Fear leads to anger.  Anger leads to hate.  Hate leads to suffering.” –Yoda

Be brave, and don’t hate.  Happy Holidays.