I grew up in a spiritually strong family and I’ve realized that a large part of that had to do with my dad being very spiritual. And looking back at all those years growing up and the impact our family bond has had on my life, and that of my six other siblings, I realize how lucky I was to have a father like that. So, if you’re here reading this because you want to create a healthy relationship in your family, you must understand the importance of your role as a father or mother.
In present-day society, the performative work culture has driven so many families apart. Busy workdays for the parents usually end up developing shaky family ties between them and the children. It must then be through delicate handling, building loving relationships, and a level of spirituality that you, too, can strengthen your family relationship.
I watched my dad consciously apply the following tips to make our home a happy and contented one, and they may help you if you follow them religiously.
We spent quality time together.
Despite how busy both of my parents were, they always found the time to spend time with my siblings and me. There was always one activity lined up and it made my childhood so much fun. My mom is an avid adventurer and she loves going into nature to recharge her soul and connect to the universe. In many ways, she imbibed this culture in all of us and taught us how to appreciate nature too.
Family activities and vacations do not have to be so elaborate and expensive. You can spend well within your means and still have a great bonding time with your family. It’s all about the commitment you all have for each other.
Not to mention that spending quality time together as a family is an ultimate way of being present in the moment, understanding each other’s dreams and fears, and working together to achieve those dreams.
We ate together. And prayed together.
Whilst growing up, the one thing I always looked forward to was sharing meals with the rest of my family. It was such a pure and happy moment that I will always fondly remember. Till this day, whenever everyone of us comes together after a long time, we all still engage in the tradition of sharing of meal together.
Right before we begin any meal, my dad nominates a volunteer to say a quick word of prayer and gratitude for the sustenance. This little act taught me gratitude in all areas of my life. I recognize the power of the divine and how fortunate I am to live this life that I have been given.
It is also a rule of the universe that when you show gratitude, you are attracting positive energy to grant you even more. This is because you recognize the power of spirituality and you’re channeling it to work for you effectively.
We were involved with each other.
One of the things that drive many families apart is the singularity and individualistic premise of their thoughts. Family is blood ties and should be involved with each other. It is the smallest and most coherent unit of society and every charity should start from there.
My dad made us realize this early enough. He was always proactive in engaging us to share tasks, thereby strengthening the bond and tolerance we had for each other. During the holiday seasons, we gave one another gifts and shared memories. My mom used to take me and my siblings to the rooftop to watch and name the constellations. And during the occasional moments when we saw the shooting stars, we silently made a wish about family.
When you spend meaningful time together with family, when you are healthily involved with each other, it is a support system of unconditional love and respect, unlike anything else you might have in relationships with other people.
We practiced affirmations and expressions of love.
My family used to engage in round table discussions where we talked about literally every topic. It is in these moments that we share personal information about the things going on in our lives. And my mom and dad were always there to listen and offer us words of encouragement when we needed them.
They also knew when we needed to be told something quite firmly, to understand the importance of being accountable to our actions.
Compliments were a crucial thing in our household and everyone made it a point to always compliment the next person. It went a long way in boosting my self-esteem and confidence as I matured to face the rigors of life.
Daily compliments, little gestures of love, and things like that are very important in strengthening family bonds and relationships.
Conclusion.
Spending time together with your family is one of the greatest gifts the universe can give you. It is what society needs to heal. To deliver new generations of healthy children who are mentally resilient and understand the real values of life. If you can make family one of your top priorities, above anything else, then you can live a very content and happy life.