Have you ever wondered why you slip back into the sulky, sassy nine-year-old when you go home to visit with the family? You can’t prevent this younger self from emerging no matter how much thinking and planning you do.

As the holidays approach you vow that this year you will return home as your funny and sensitive adult self, and not get sucked into the family drama and tensions. And then...

An hour after walking through the front door, your clear intentions to be ‘yourself’ are overcome by powerful, eerily familiar emotions, and suddenly, you find yourself being sucked into a spinning vortex. No one is interested in your kettlebell work out, the rare art exhibit you attended, your ‘green’ politics, or any strides you made in your work — and you suddenly feel small.  You are not yourself — or are you? 

Click here for the entire article.