Families are the basic unity of society. It should be the place for refuge and enlightenment, for love and safety. Our homes should be created in love and unity and the happiness of family relationships should transcend all other earthly joys.
I respect the love and caring of all individuals for each other, but it is my solemn testimony that families are built on marriages between a man and a woman and is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan. This doctrine is supported in scriptures through the ages. This timeless wisdom is the basis for my family and the premise for its joyful success.
I hope to assist all others who desire it, in strengthening their families and finding true happiness. My definition of happiness is not the fairy tale variety of happy ever after. My experience has been that all marriages take WORK! There are ups and downs, give and takes and especially a great deal of prayer, meditation, seeking, learning and certainly discovering who we as individuals are, and developing our gifts, expanding our talents, and recognizing the good in others around us. If we focus on the good, with gratitude, we can see more clearly and act more purposely and joyfully.
I remember the oft spoken remark, "If you are pointing your finger at others, there are three fingers pointing back at you!" Think about that. It relates to the way we look at the world around us in our family relationships, in all our relationships. If we focus on others negative, irritating habits or characteristics, we block happiness and personal growth. It does us more harm than it does others.
Charity begins in the home. Love and respect are required for families to function and grow in love and harmony. That doesn't mean there are not trying times or differences of opinions. I remember how I spent a great deal of time singing or humming. I did it when I was angry, or when the children's noise or other irritating circumstances surrounded me. It was my way of dealing with these little things. I couldn't leave and go for a walk, or shut myself up somewhere. I had six little ones to care for and this was a way for me to stay focused and it became a source of joy. Many times in stress or otherwise, I would find myself humming a tune without realizing it and when I did recognized it, they were hymns or songs with words that assisted me, giving me comfort or instruction at the very time I needed it.
Another basis of my focus on the family is my belief that by divine design, fathers are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these responsibilities fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.
This concept takes balance and when the father is frazzled in his obligation to provide and neglects his obligation to help his wife in nurturing the children, disharmony occurs. Recognize that it takes time to nurture children. I heard once that children spell love "TIME". Scheduling 10 minutes a day with each child, reading a book together, helping them brush their teeth, asking them about their day will return great dividends. Mothers, too, need to assist the father in his role as provider. Becoming a sounding board perhaps to help her husband talk through his work problems and come to solutions. Perhaps getting up and walking together in the early morning would be a solution. Think what that would do for both of you! A time together to share ideas without the interruptions of the children is priceless.
At first, when the children come along and take so much time and caring, the partners, if they do not budget time together, will become separated in mind and activity. Remember always that the husband and wife are central to the family unit. Remember that love is spelled "Time" here as well. Respect for each other and building the basic communication lines are critical throughout marriage and need to be developed and expanded upon, ever increasingly, all during life.
Another key focus on family is the commitment level of the partners. This is a time-honored idea that marriages are not just romantic interludes. They are formed by partners with crucial elements in common, qualities that when cultivated, make possible the long-term togetherness and support necessary to the continuing marital romance and commitment. To me, it is a given that religious commitment has beneficial effects on marriage. Religious affiliation in common, is particularly important for a successful union.
Shared religious commitment alone does not the better marriage make. It does however, become a prime motivator to strengthen the marriage and encourage development of the qualities necessary for success: qualities as selflessness and commitment. Religion certainly enhances promoting the personal skills required for happiness in life as well as in marriage. Some of those being patience, long suffering, gentleness, meekness, forgiveness, mutual respect, gratitude and certainly conflict resolution.
Finally, it takes organization. Looking at the same organization and structure that successful businesses require helps us in implementing similar focus to make a family unit more successful. Leadership of the parents; delegating responsibilities with accountability and reporting back; regular family council meetings to discuss goals and set up mutually agreeable rules to govern themselves; personal interviews with each member at least weekly; a solid budget system and mutual accounting open and shared are certainly possible elements to create the communication and training for each in the family.
Families are the place to develop the skills and attributes for successful living and I recommend establishing a family motto, mission statement and organized work and fun along with the religious foundation developed by worshiping together. These are to me basic fundamentals to focus on the family.
Businesswoman, Friend, Collaborator, and Team player, Carol Ann Stott fulfills her Entrepreneurial Calling by offering a great service that enriches the lives of others. Together with other fellow BraveHeart Community members, her goal is to empower Women to be multi-dimensional success stories and inspiration to others. Be Sure to Visit: <a target="_new" href="http://netweb-ads.com/familiescount">Families</a>
