November 2000 |
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National
Family Week |
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| Amid the current
focus of the news media on the outcome of the electoral votes
for Florida, which will sooner or later determine the new
president of the United States, we should take some time
during the week of the 19th to the 25th of November to focus
on a very important theme, National Family Week.
I don't know about you, but my family is the most important possession I have. Sure, families can become intense at times with bickering and contention, but my family has become my only sure societal foundation in a world that is full of crumbling supports. A family is like a well-labored garden--it takes time, nurturing, love and then more time. I have a neighbor who spends long hours and late summer nights working in his garden. His garden always produces a wonderful harvest each year. On the other hand, as I look at the feeble attempts I have made to produce a productive garden, my harvest, or the lack thereof, is exactly what I deserve. From observation of my neighbor's garden, I've learned that a garden is more than just throwing a few seeds on a plot of ground with a little water and expecting the vegetables to jump into your pan on the stove and serve up a tasty meal. It requires preparation of the soil, proper seed selection, planting with a plan, weeding, watering, and cultivating. Well, guess what? A family needs the same attention, if not more, to produce a delicious outcome. I'm not an expert on families, but I believe, based on the good harvest I've seen with my family, that I have a few good ideas on what makes a family good. If I may, I would like to share a few with you: Love - Love is one of the strongest powers on this earth. It knows no defense. With time, love can dissolve all barriers, all road-blocks, and all obstacles. Unconditionally love your spouse and your children. Unconditionally means with no strings attached, expecting nothing in return. This isn't easy considering our human nature. Lose the Anger - The opposite of love is anger. Anger never solves anything. Anger creates defenses. It builds walls, road-blocks and obstacles. Never raise your voice in argument or conversation with anyone, especially those people whom you call family. When anger is present, you feel crummy, your spouse feels crummy, and your children feel crummy. It destroys relationships. Do away with it completely. Service - Serve those within the walls of your home. Find ways to do little things for them. One day after passing my daughter's opened bedroom door, revealing a sea of un-hung clothes on the floor, and determining that I had a few extra minutes, I proceeded to hang up her clothes, make her bed, and vacuum the floor (Once I found the floor). After I was done, I went about other things. I never mentioned anything to anyone about what I did. Later that evening, my daughter thanked me for my random act of kindness. The few minutes I spent in service of her helped to build a greater level of love between us. Worship - Whatever your religious affiliation is, it is important to consistently rely upon a higher power to lead you and your family. Inviting the Spirit of the Lord into your home creates a heaven on earth within the walls of your home. If you follow these four principles, everything else seems to fall into place. You'll find greater happiness and joy with those that you love the most. Let's devote the week of November 19th through the 25th as a new beginning for us and our families. "No other success can compensate for failure in the home." (David O. McKay) Warmest Regards, Brad Stone |
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Families Worldwide |
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