My friend Lily (I’ve written about her here) reminded me that during stressful holiday times, it’s important to find the line.
Set your boundary. Where does your lawn end? Where does someone else’s territory begin? Don’t trespass into someone else’s backyard, either by word or action. As I’ve written before, don’t do unto others what they can do unto themselves. Don’t say unto others what they can say unto themselves. That means, don’t remind the adult people you love to get up, wash up, eat up, work up. Don’t cover up for someone else’s mistakes.
Lily said that her mother is always trying to get her adult sister to eat a healthy dinner. Lily reminds her, “Find the line! What you eat is your business, what she eats is hers. Take care of your own plate, leave her plate to hers.” And, as Lily says with her usual wit and finesse: “Presto, one less area of fighting!”
So how do you find the line? Very simple. Stand up. Raise your arms to shoulder level. Circle around slowly. That is your space. There’s the line. Anything else beyond the circumference of your arms is someone else’s territory. Stay out!
This suggestion is vital during December holidays when, ironically, so many people are under stress. (For an interesting look at how to de-stress your holidays, there’s an article by Arianna Huffington here.)
To make this day a page in your best chapter, find the line.
DIANA BLETTER 
Another great post, Diana! I can see it now–in prisons, schools, houses of worship, everywhere– everyone with arms raised shoulder-high, turning in circles: “This is my circle of space, that is yours. No crossing the line.” It could become a musical!
But seriously, Diana, this is practical, visual…and very helpful. Especially during all the family gatherings. Oh, yeah, especially during all the crowded, intense gatherings.
Thank you.
Thank you, Marylin, for your comment. A Broadway musical sounds promising! Da-da-da-da!