Airports are usually pretty hectic during the holiday season and this past week was no exception. As we waited in line to check in for our flight, we couldn't help but notice a disturbance that was happening at the ticket counter next to us.

We didn't know this until last week but the airline we were flying on now has a baggage weight limit and travelers are charged an extra fee for anything above that weight. It so happened that the man at the counter had several bags and one of them was several pounds overweight.

The airline representative, in a very business-like voice, explained the policy and suggested that he could transfer the extra pounds from one suitcase to another to avoid the extra fee.

As we watched this interaction, we noticed that the traveler was obviously flustered as he rummaged through his luggage and the airline representative, although courteous, seemed distant and aloof.

This could have been the way their interaction continued but it wasn't. Instead, we were able to watch a wonderful example of understanding and connection being created right before our very eyes.

The traveler was frustrated with the policy and was upset about having to take a few extra minutes to rearrange his belongings to meet their luggage weight requirement.

In his frustration, he happened to say in a voice anyone could hear--"That's what I get for playing Santa." With those words, we watched the airline representative almost immediately soften her reaction to him.

As she laughed and made some comment, the energy in our area of the airport seemed to get lighter. We and everyone in line seemed to feel the shift of energy that came about from the simple understanding of why the man's luggage was so heavy.

After that, it was no time until the extra weight was shifted to his other luggage and he was on his way.

What this reminds us and we want to pass on to you is this...

When you feel yourself stiffening or resisting someone or something, begin opening your heart to understanding the other person or event that seems to be causing your distress.

Sometimes it's just a tight feeling in your abdomen or it might be some feeling in your chest or head. Whatever it is for you, begin to learn how you close yourself off to other people when there's confrontation or when something uncomfortable happens.

Discover how you can open yourself to listening to understand the situation instead reacting from old patterns and habitual ways of being that have been destructive to your relationships.

We're not saying that the airline representative was doing anything wrong in her business-like approach to the problem that the traveler was facing. We are saying that we couldn't help but notice that a real connection between the two people was possible only when she understood the situation.

The traveler still had to switch the weight or pay the weight overage fee. That fact didn't change. What did change was the energy between the two people and even the energy among the people where we were standing in line.

So, especially at this holiday season, stop yourself from reacting in the ways you always seem to react with your family, your partner or spouse, your kids, or your co-workers. Remind yourself to find out more about the situation or what was said that might have hurt your feelings and have it as your intention to understand.

Think about how you can soften, be kinder and more loving with the people you come in contact with.

It may not change the outcome of the situation but it will change the way you connect with that other person.

If you do this, we are sure that you will see a change for the better in your relationships!

For more relationship advice, visit http://www.RelationshipGold.com