Transform One Family Relationship this Holiday Season

Friday, December 9, 2016

Deborah Dejong
Written by Deborah De Jong (BA '90)

When I left UWaterloo for grad school, I could not have known the road ahead. I was off to make a difference in the lives of individuals and families. Two decades ago, that meant meeting individuals one-on-one. Now, there is a whole online community where health promotion, education, and support is easily accessible for many people. How times change!

With this change in mind, I pondered how to serve the greater good for all of this holiday season and I was inspired by many alumni to reach out to our growing alumni community, and those who may be struggling with a family member this season. An online summit was born.

We all have that one relationship that causes us stress, pain, tension and even sleepless nights!
Perhaps it is a relationship with our child that finds us screaming more than hugging; a relationship with our partner that finds us avoiding each other more than connecting; a relationship with your sibling that is tense instead of supportive; or that in-law, ex-law, aunt, uncle, or step-parent that is cold and tense instead of peaceful and stress-free. When you’re determined to try new ways of dealing with this person or situation, transformation is possible! But it can be a challenge, because giving up is just so much easier.

Transform One Family Relationship in 12 Days: How to Break Through the Blocks to a Connected and Fulfilling Relationship is a FREE online event. I recently interviewed twenty international experts; relationship experts, parent experts, life coaches, and best selling authors! The results were amazing. This is a chance to hear some of the most influential experts speak about the power of transformation. Click here to register.

It is time for you to give yourself a gift this holiday season, starting December 12. Interviews are thirty minutes and are available to watch whenever from the comfort of your own home, or on your mobile device. The interviews will be available all season until December 31.

You’ll learn:

  • More than twenty strategies to support you in those difficult family situations when someone is upset with you (evident in their words, tone or actions),
  • Tips for what to do BEFORE you see that person causing your stress, what to do DURING the situation and what you can do AFTERWARDS to maintain a feeling of calm and control,
  • Three Keys to transform or change ANY relationship instantly!

Imagine being able to walk into a family gathering with the confidence and strength to deal with any situation. With twenty experts sharing various tips and strategies, there will be at least ONE interview that will give you the tools you need.

The path one takes after university is diverse and unassuming. There are always forks in the road; the anticipated trajectory (from family, friends, colleagues), and the road less travelled. I’d like to thank the University of Waterloo for the knowledge, skills and competencies learned, but it is the unmeasured gifts they’ve offered, the confidence, grit and determination that makes the road less travelled a true mission of continued service to others, even when the easier decision is to travel the main road.