Are you or a loved one experiencing anxiety as we approach family gatherings (or lack thereof) this year?

We understand.

Family events can be a curious blend of gratitude and chaos when bickering can spark over anything—from politics to who forgot the cranberries. Yet, beneath it all, there’s hope for deepened connection, even if it’s wrapped in mismatched napkins and differing opinions.

Getting together with those we may disagree with, or who may vehemently disagree with us reveals the art of coexistence, where love and difference share the same table. To navigate these moments, we must embody serenity—a quiet strength that reminds us that true peace is not the absence of tension but the mastery of response. In these moments, gratitude becomes our greatest ally. It asks us to listen, to breathe, to see past conflict and into shared humanity.

Preparation for these moments isn’t in fixing others but in steadying ourselves, for as Seneca teaches, “luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” Approach each interaction as an opportunity to grow. In choosing serenity, we become the stillness amid the storm, transforming what divides into a deeper understanding of what unites.

And for those spending this season alone or apart, remember that peace is not confined to crowded tables or lively conversations. It resides in the stillness of your own presence, in the rituals you create for yourself, and in the quiet gratitude for the moment as it is. Serenity is yours to hold, no matter where you are or who surrounds you.