I remember being banned from other houses as a younger child

Host: The room feels quiet, the evening light casting soft shadows across the space. Outside, the world continues its usual rhythm, but inside, the atmosphere feels almost reflective, as though the conversation is about to explore a personal story. Jeeny sits at the table, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her cup, her expression thoughtful. Jack stands near the window, arms crossed, looking out at the street below.

Jeeny: (her voice gentle, yet filled with curiosity) “You ever think about how beliefs—whether it’s about the holidays, or something bigger—can really affect our relationships with others? How sometimes, just one difference in belief can change the way people see you?”

Jack: (glancing over at her, his voice dry, but intrigued) “Beliefs and relationships? Yeah, it’s funny how a single thing, like believing or not believing in something, can create a disconnect. What got you thinking about that?”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly, a small smile forming as she shares her thought) “I was thinking about something Jami Attenberg said: ‘I remember being banned from other houses as a younger child during the winter holiday season; I was the only one who didn’t believe in Santa Claus, and I was ruining everyone’s Christmas.’ It made me reflect on how certain beliefs, even something as small as whether or not you believe in Santa, can cause rifts or make us feel isolated during times of celebration.”

Jack: (pauses, considering her words carefully) “So, she’s saying that not believing in Santa made her the odd one out, and in some way, that difference caused a barrier with others—something that made her feel disconnected or even excluded, especially during the holiday season?”

Jeeny: (smiling more deeply now, her eyes steady as she explains further) “Exactly. Attenberg’s point isn’t just about believing in Santa—it’s about how a difference in beliefs can make someone feel like an outsider, especially when everyone else around you is part of the same tradition or mindset. It’s a reminder of how our differences, even small ones, can sometimes feel like they create separation, especially in moments when people are coming together to celebrate something.”

Host: Jeeny’s words seem to linger in the room, a quiet reflection on the power of shared beliefs and how they can connect or divide us. Jack stands still, his expression softening as he processes the deeper message behind Attenberg’s statement. The world outside continues its rhythm, but inside, the conversation feels grounded in a more personal understanding of how beliefs shape our relationships.

Jack: (his voice quieter now, almost reflective) “I see what she means. It’s not just about the difference in beliefs—it’s about the way those differences make you feel in relation to others. When everyone around you believes in something, it’s hard not to feel like the odd one out, like you’re somehow disrupting the shared experience.”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly, her voice calm, yet filled with quiet strength) “Exactly. And it’s not just about Santa or holiday traditions—it’s about any belief or difference that sets us apart. It can make us feel isolated or misunderstood, especially when we’re in a space where everyone else is on the same page. But that difference doesn’t make us any less valuable—it just means we’re seeing the world in a unique way.”

Jack: (pauses, a small smile forming as the idea settles in) “It’s interesting, isn’t it? How a simple difference in belief can create so much emotional distance, even during something as joyful as Christmas. But at the same time, those differences are what make us individuals and bring diversity into our lives.”

Jeeny: (smiling warmly, her voice gentle, yet filled with wisdom) “Exactly. The important thing is recognizing that our differences don’t diminish our value or our ability to connect with others. They’re just part of what makes us unique. And when we accept those differences in ourselves and others, we open the door to deeper understanding and connection.”

Host: The room feels lighter now, as though the conversation has shifted into a deeper understanding of beliefs, differences, and connections. Jack turns from the window, his posture more relaxed, his thoughts clearly reflecting on the value of embracing differences rather than letting them create separation. Jeeny watches him, content in the knowledge that the key to understanding and connection lies in embracing our individuality, even when it feels like we’re the odd one out. The world outside continues its rhythm, but inside, there’s a shared recognition that our differences are what make us unique, and it’s through acceptance that we truly connect.