Turn Your Family Into an Ongoing Peace Project

A better life — a better world — begins with family peace

As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live. Pope John Paul II

Everyone wants it. Everyone hopes for it. But almost no one achieves it. Why?

Blending two or more personalities into one harmonious unit is like trying to fit irregularly shaped pieces together and expecting to end up with a standard form with smooth edges.

False and unrealistic expectations lead to disappointment and conflict within families. And if those issues are not addressed immediately and consistently, a complete family breakdown will occur.

There are no perfect family members who can say and do the right thing all the time. However, it is possible to minimize the attitudes and actions that destroy family peace.

The first thing required is to identify the root cause of family problems. Secondly, build a mindset or strategy that will heal the rifts and remedy those problems.

Causes and Possible Remedies

You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending. C.S. Lewis

Eliminate negatives — accentuate the positives

Negative emotions and attitudes are PEACE KILLERS. These will cloud and distort your perspective and war for first place in your heart and mind, causing you to lose sight of the more important objectives.

“Do nothing out of contentiousness or out of egotism, but with humility consider others superior to you, as you look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.” — Philippians 2:3, 4

If the door is closed — open the windows

Many a relationship has been destroyed by the simple act of closing the door to our mind and heart, being unwilling to hear or feel the thoughts and emotions of others in the family. Changing this aspect is very difficult in the beginning. So if you can’t bring yourself to open those doors then find some windows of opportunity and let new and refreshing air mix with the old. In time, those closed doors may just crack open by themselves, moved by the flow of fresh, wholesome, and loving air.

Are you guilty of storing up patience — try using some instead

Allowing for the imperfection of others will lay a foundation for peace.

Home is where you are loved the most and act the worst. Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Don’t raise your voice — unless it’s in song

Physical violence is out — hugs are in

Emotions are contagious. Anger engenders anger in others. Let the cycle stop with you.

Holding a grudge hurts everyone — forgiving helps everyone

False and unrealistic expectations lead to disappointment and conflict within families.

Takeaway

Creating a family motto is a useful way to keep sight of your goals. Here’s one I like.

A family in harmony is made up of peacemakers.