We all know someone who can shift the mood downward of an entire room the moment they walk in. And it’s a bummer.
There’s tension, negativity, and an emotional ripple effect.
But not everyone’s like that.
Yes, there are “energy depleters” like Oscar the Grouch, but we want to be “energy boosters,” according to speaker and life coach Leigh-Leigh Kossman.
Leigh-Leigh addressed a recent meeting of professionals in the senior care industry in Yorkville. She addressed the real-world impact of attitude—and how to change it without creating resistance.
You want to help someone, but if you push them too far, there’s tension, negativity, and the emotional ripple effect. It’s something that you might deal with in working with a family member, such as an aging parent.
“You Will Not Slam the Door”
Leigh-Leigh shared a personal story from her childhood, recalling how her mother once warned her brother after his misbehavior: “You will not stomp up the stairs, and you will not slam the door,” she said.
Another admonition of her mother was, “Don’t take your anger out into the world.”
These are simple messages, but they speak to a deep issue many families face—how to guide emotional behavior, especially in children, without escalating conflict or shutting down communication.
Her core message focused on creating a change of heart rather than correcting behavior in a confrontational way. Her message could easily apply to those dealing with a family member, such as an aging parent, or adult child.
I for one found her message helpful. How many times have each of us carried an angry lightning rod within us after a disagreement with a loved one?
Leigh-Leigh’s tips to confronting someone, whether your child or a other family member:
Do it privately (not in front of others), face to face (not while driving, or via text), in a timely manner (not two weeks later) and respectfully.
The event was hosted at Cedarhurst Senior Living in Yorkville.