Whether we are traveling to visit family members, purchasing gifts we can't afford, attending parties out of obligation or wishing we had loved ones to enjoy the holidays with; holidays represent an emotionally charged time of year for everyone. We know that the traditional view of family members enjoying one another isn't always the way it happens. In fact, the majority of family get togethers are emotional and stressful so realize, if yours is like that, you're not alone.

Since attacks may be verbal, mental, emotional or physical, we all need some Holiday Safety Secrets to make this time of year safer all around, don't you agree?

Holiday Safety Secret - Verbal

Realize that a comment made to you or about you is always about the person making it, not about you. It is either a positive comment coming from a place of admiration or a negative comment coming from a place of insecurity.

Knowing this helps you to take a deep breath and either say, "Thank you," to a nice comment or say nothing to a ban one, considering the source.

Holiday Safety Secret - Mental

People who know us also know "which buttons to push" if they want to mentally attack. For example: a coworker looking up and down you and then snickering will likely send any one of us into the ladies room to check our makeup, hair and outfit. Realize (you'll see a trend here) a mental attack is all about the attacker who is trying to control the "victim" by inspiring uncertainty because he or she feels out of control of their own life at the moment of attack.

Holiday Safety Secret - Emotional

Make a list of who you feel good around and who you feel drained by. Invest time only with those you feel good around; that is your gut feeling telling you who is safe and who isn't (emotionally, mentally and or physically). If you must work with people you would not ordinarily choose to spend time with, realize that you have a choice to either absorb their negative energy or "put up your mirrors." Putting up mirrors consists of visualizing yourself with mirrors around you facing out. When someone sends negative energy your way, the mirrors reflect it back to them 10 fold and you are safe emotionally. I learned this from an Indian Medicine Man 25 years ago and have used it successfully ever since.

Holiday Safety Secrets - Physical (much more info about each of these available)

1. Remember that thieves and other types of attackers love the holidays because we are all distracted and make for easy targets.
2. Stay OFF your phone when walking in a parking lot and have it in or on your clothing instead of in your purse.
3. If a thief wants your purse give it up quickly and count your blessing that all you had was a thief.
4. Use confident body language (head high, shoulders back, looking side to side) to repel attackers.
5. Carry a very small pouch inside your clothes with ID, cash or one credit card.
6. Cover the key pad when entering your PIN at checkout.
7. Check in and under your vehicle before entering and lock the door before it is even closed.
8. Remember that the cover of darkness allows many more attacks this time of year.

Wrap Up Holidays can be fun and happy when you protect your personal space and emotions. Remember that safety often has to do with swallowing your pride. Let the snide comment go without a fight and let your purse go to avoid escalating an attack. It will never be fair that other take from us but we can attract safety instead of attackers with these simple tips.