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“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”
~ Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
We have a family and are surrounded by many “happy families” and “not-so-happy” aka “unhappy families”, which endorse the veracity of above quote. But, in fact, every family aspires to be a happy family, isn’t it? Though every family wants so and many strive hard to be the one, yet fail…sad but true. What do all these happy families do that fit them in this happy portrait?
Undoubtedly all the families are happy in their own way but if observed scrupulously, we can see a few things that all of them share in common. It can be anything, as general as spending quality time together to being there for each other all the time. There indeed are some extra efforts invested by each family member to keep the boat sailing even through the toughest of tides.
That said, below are some of the important things that all the happy families share that prevent them from hitting the hard rocks. Incorporate them into your day-to-day life to become the ideal happy family.
(1) Have Nick Names
“Nicknames are fond names. We do not give them to people we dislike.”
Giving sweet nicknames to family members is a true sign of love and care. These nicknames are solely reserved for the family members, and they become so fond of these names that sometimes you call them sweet names even during the worst of fights. The perfect icebreaker they can be!
(2) Share The Family History
“If you don’t recount your family history, it will be lost. Honor your own stories and tell them too.”
The family history that we share is what helps build our personality. It binds us together in the most
beautiful cords and helps us overcome obstacles through the tough experiences we have been told beforehand. The time spent in talking about family history is the most treasured time for any family to come together as one!
(3) Keep Promises
“Promises are empty words if you are not keeping them.”
Promises made to a family member are indeed the ones that need to be cherished through all the ups and downs of life. Members of a happy family walk the extra mile to fulfill the promises that they make. This is one rule that every happy family would stick to. No promises made to your loved ones should be intentionally broken!
(4) They Talk, Share, Appreciate
“Sitting down to eat in our house is about sharing, you know, talking about the day you’ve had, be it in school or work or whatever, so that’s very important to us.”
Communication is the best way to bridge any gap and come closer to each other. Other than that sharing all the good and bad of daily life is the silver lining to any dark cloud. Sharing a positive aspect for each other is another important thing for each family. You should notice their good qualities and appreciate them to share happiness.
(5) Keep Faith, Be Thankful And Kind
“Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark.”
Keeping faith brings any relation closer to each other. It’s not about forcing your thoughts on your family members; it’s about letting them believe in a higher power. And overall, it’s more about being thankful to Him together for whatever you are bestowed with. Once you learn to be thankful and kind to a higher power, it unknowingly becomes your character trait. These qualities when incorporated into your daily life can make any relation strong and happy.
(6) Fight Right And Forgive
“But they’re family, and you forgive them, even if they are the human equivalent of hyenas. Because that’s what you do… Forgive.”
Any relation is incomplete without fights; they indeed strengthen our familial bond. But it’s the way we fight and resolve all the problems that weave us into a happy family. Whether you have the problem of generation gap or difference in perspective, fights need to be resolved to keep the happiness intact in a family. Above all, it is important that you forgive your family members. Forgiveness is the ultimate key to happiness; not only the happiness of the family but also yours as an individual.
Although there is no set manual to get a “Happy Family” still if you keep these above-mentioned pointers in mind you would never have to knock the doors of counselors for marriage or parenting. Little more to add on leaving, a warm hug a day, a supporting hand to lay, a patient ear to listen, a random note of “love” & ‘Thank you”, a surprise trip or hot coffee session during rain drip, all are inexpensive and simple but hold your “Happy Family” tag tight.
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Photo credit: Getty Images
The importance of family in a person’s life is huge. Those little details in everyday life can truly make a difference when it comes to making strong bonds and relationships. The nick names, the fights that end with hugs and the trust among family members can indeed create bonds that last a lifetime. I can see it in my own family…even though my children are fighting a lot, they always end up forgiving each other, calling each other with weird nick names, playing and going everywhere together!