It’s been a tumultuous season: COVID, the election, the annual Christmas-music-too-soon debate.

Everyone is weighing in. The world runs rife with contention. The temptation is to say “We need to speak up.”

No we don’t.

These “debates” lure us in. In the moment, we’re compelled to set people straight. It’s for their own good, right? But they never end well. We can’t change anybody. Nobody ever says “You know what? You’re right. I’m changing my point of view.” The only result is heightened rhetoric, hard feelings, and resentment.

The holidays are upon us. Our families will gather. Someone could easily open a can of worms. Don’t let them light your fuse. Change the subject. Focus on the kids. Fake like you’re choking. Whatever you have to do to avoid a pointless argument that could hang over your celebration like a bad pandemic.

Relationships over issues.