By Diane Stelter
How he dislikes holiday family gatherings. To be specific, it’s his wife’s family gatherings.
Her 78 year old mother is always depressed. According to her, she leads a lonely life, unattended to by her children. If only life was like it used be, in the good old days, she moans. She can recount every wrong ever done to her, real or imagined. How he dreads listening to that!
Of course, his sister-in-law Martha isn't any better. Although she's never depressed, you’d think that the world is supposed to revolve around her! She never stops talking, especially about herself. All she thinks about is her life, her world, her opinion and how she can top everyone else’s story. Never has he known a woman to be as flighty and self-centered as she is. How he dreads listening to that!
Let’s not forget cousin Earl. The man is insistent that he is right about everything. Sadly, he often is, but does he need to rub it in our faces? Seriously, even a simple family game turns into a competition that could lead to bloodshed! Lest the family forget, he will remind anyone who will listen about his mega-company and how well he’s doing financially. His voice can be heard booming above the chatter, giving directions to everyone, always in charge. How he dreads listening to that!
As for the man himself, he planned to do exactly what he always did at these gatherings. Make a quick round for obligatory greetings, load his plate with all of the traditional foods the family enjoyed, then stake out the most comfortable seat in the house, find the remote, sit back, relax, and watch the football game. Oh how he enjoys listening to that!
While we chuckle at these folks, we may be one of them. Are you sometimes like his 78 year old mother-in-law, always whining and complaining? Or maybe you, too, believe that you are the center of the universe, like his sister-in-law. Quite possibly you have cousin Earl’s tendencies to be loud and bossy. Or, like the man himself, you find a comfortable spot and tune it all out.
Too often, our personality strengths can become our weaknesses. Learning and growing in knowledge of who we are in Christ and who God designed us to be is essential to our growth, both spiritually and in our relationships with others. An understanding of personality strengths and weaknesses is an invaluable tool and great first step toward growth.
Having gone through Personality Training and now sharing this information with others as a Certified Personality Trainer, I have gained so much clarity into my own life regarding who I am. True freedom can be found through the information and teaching offered. I encourage you to explore this avenue of opportunity and embrace who you are truly designed to be.
How he dislikes holiday family gatherings. To be specific, it’s his wife’s family gatherings.
Her 78 year old mother is always depressed. According to her, she leads a lonely life, unattended to by her children. If only life was like it used be, in the good old days, she moans. She can recount every wrong ever done to her, real or imagined. How he dreads listening to that!
Of course, his sister-in-law Martha isn't any better. Although she's never depressed, you’d think that the world is supposed to revolve around her! She never stops talking, especially about herself. All she thinks about is her life, her world, her opinion and how she can top everyone else’s story. Never has he known a woman to be as flighty and self-centered as she is. How he dreads listening to that!
Let’s not forget cousin Earl. The man is insistent that he is right about everything. Sadly, he often is, but does he need to rub it in our faces? Seriously, even a simple family game turns into a competition that could lead to bloodshed! Lest the family forget, he will remind anyone who will listen about his mega-company and how well he’s doing financially. His voice can be heard booming above the chatter, giving directions to everyone, always in charge. How he dreads listening to that!
As for the man himself, he planned to do exactly what he always did at these gatherings. Make a quick round for obligatory greetings, load his plate with all of the traditional foods the family enjoyed, then stake out the most comfortable seat in the house, find the remote, sit back, relax, and watch the football game. Oh how he enjoys listening to that!
While we chuckle at these folks, we may be one of them. Are you sometimes like his 78 year old mother-in-law, always whining and complaining? Or maybe you, too, believe that you are the center of the universe, like his sister-in-law. Quite possibly you have cousin Earl’s tendencies to be loud and bossy. Or, like the man himself, you find a comfortable spot and tune it all out.
Too often, our personality strengths can become our weaknesses. Learning and growing in knowledge of who we are in Christ and who God designed us to be is essential to our growth, both spiritually and in our relationships with others. An understanding of personality strengths and weaknesses is an invaluable tool and great first step toward growth.
Having gone through Personality Training and now sharing this information with others as a Certified Personality Trainer, I have gained so much clarity into my own life regarding who I am. True freedom can be found through the information and teaching offered. I encourage you to explore this avenue of opportunity and embrace who you are truly designed to be.

As a hairdresser and salon owner for 40 years, Diane has a passion to help women see their beauty, inside and out. Behind the chair, she has served as coach, counselor, confidante and cheerleader. As Diane approaches the age of 60, her focus has expanded. Soon leaving the chair behind, she is looking forward to ministering through her speaking, writing and coaching/mentoring services. Diane is a Life Coach, Advanced Personality Trainer, speaker and writer.
Find her at www.dianestelter.com or connect with her on Facebook on her page, Only One You.
Find her at www.dianestelter.com or connect with her on Facebook on her page, Only One You.