Let’s face it. If you’ve got family, you’ve got conflict. Even in the most peaceful and mellow households, personality differences are inevitable. During the holidays, emotions can boil over. But, with some simple Heart Chakra opening exercises you can learn how to handle the 4 Major Emotional Types in every family gathering.
Knowing your own heart, and situations that may signal weak Heart Chakra energy, can be helpful in resolving conflicts, sometimes even recognizing them before they erupt. When the heart is clear and radiant, conflict melts away into understanding, peace and love.
At family gatherings, it’s helpful to gauge people’s moods and energy levels. Understanding their ‘emotional type,’ however, can be invaluable. Emotional type is a communication style. Learning what your own style is and how it can positively or negatively interact with your other family members’ styles can be an great tool for raising your emotional I.Q. and strengthening your conflict resolution skills.
The 4 Emotional Types at Every Holiday Party
1. The Perfect Host
You are gracious and energetic. You welcome your guests with a bright smile and you expect the same in return. You go above and beyond with your preparations and, if you see someone who isn’t smiling, you tend to take it personally.
Your mood sets the tone for the gathering. If small things get blown out of proportion it can affect the whole group.
Take a moment to breathe into your Heart Chakra and remember that, to truly give from the heart, you must first give to yourself. When you re-energize your Heart Chakra you may see the other person’s body language in a whole new light and feel much more lighthearted.
2. The Peacemaker
You just want everyone to get along. You love connecting with everyone and bringing everyone together. You are good at making people feel welcome and comfortable. But you also think it’s your job to keep everyone happy.
If you think you have to hold the conversation or be in charge of keeping everyone entertained you might feel overwhelmed. But you don’t have to. Here’s a good technique for avoiding the role of
After all the guests have arrived, take a moment to close your eyes and imagine the bright, glowing golden sun spinning over your heart. Breathe into it long enough to make it big enough to spread its warmth over the entire room and into each and every family member’s heart. You can let people take care of themselves and choose to catch up with or interact with just one person or small group.
3. The Bold Director
You are the extrovert in the group. You see the big picture, and like to say things directly and take charge. You like to support people and speak about their strengths, hoping to bring out the best in them. Sometimes, though, you may come off as controlling or talking out of turn.
If you find people shrinking away from you or getting angry, try this Heart Chakra exercise to let go of your need to run the show. Take a moment to sit in a quiet space away from the group and place your hands over your heart. Close your eyes to visualize everyone in the room with your mind’s eye and imagine that everyone is content and fulfilled. Take a deep inhale and exhale, then say, “Thank you all, I’m loving you all, I’m feeling you loving me, for being here. I am with you and for you. I am.”
4. The Seer
You are the reflective one with the gift of gab. Communicating with words, rather than deeds, is your biggest strength and you take pride in your clarity and forthrightness.
But some types, such as the Peacemaker, may perceive you as intimidating because they operate much more from their hearts rather than their intellect.
In fragile and potentially volatile family gatherings, take time to do a short Heart Chakra exercise before interacting with the quieter types.
Before you speak, simply take a deep breath, look into your heart and ask it, “Is what I am about to say really true and from the heart?” It’s okay to just hang out and be quiet with another person for a few seconds, letting the silence do the talking.
For every positive personality trait there is a shadow side. Shadow parts of our personalities are not necessarily a bad thing. Our greatest weaknesses can also be our greatest strengths. The person who can never let go of the past also possesses the tenacity to see impossible tasks through to completion. If you can see the shadow side of your family members as your Heart Chakra mirroring your soul’s work, you can begin to see all conflict as opportunities for growth.
What you think you are not receiving from your family is really showing you what needs to be loved and healed within yourself. When there’s conflict, look at yourself to discover what needs to come to light.