| Most
people I know would like to see life at home
improve somehow. The most tempting approach to
home improvement is to ask what others should do
to make life better. More difficult: What can I
do?
Well, what can I do?
Praise someone. Everyone needs praise, even
someone whose good judgment right now appears
outweighed by bad decisions. Praise a smile, an
insight, a small step taken. If you sometimes
can't praise specific behaviour, praise the
person's goodness and value in your eyes - and
God's eyes.
Say 'no' when necessary to set bounds for
yourself or your home. But say no with
confidence; don't shout it.
Don't expect family members to be carbon
copies of each other. Welcome a healthy diversity
of perspective and interests.
Take steps to involve your family in service
to someone. Taking the focus off yourselves for
awhile and placing it on others is healthy.
Everyone grows inside by reaching out to someone.
Keep things in perspective. Don't imagine that
other families are perfect or that only yours
experiences real problems.
Express your commitment to family members on
words and actions. In family life we entrust
ourselves to each other. We entrust ourselves to
each other. We need to be worthy of the trust
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