The Atmosphere of Your Home
Every home has a distinct atmosphere.
It may be described as energetic, bright and happy, full of music & laughter! . Some homes can feel dark, unhappy or just impersonal.
How would your friends describe what they feel when they walk into YOUR home?
Even more importantly, how would YOUR FAMILY describe what they feel in their own home!
A WISE PARENT TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ATMOSPHERE THEIR FAMILY LIVES IN. For all of us, it is a work in progress, but we must begin by asking ourselves, “ How can we elevate the various aspects of the atmosphere of our homes?”
To simply get us started, Here is a quick checklist in 3 key areas for making your home feel more inviting, warm and friendly.
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Guard Your Heart By DeAnza Duron
It’s interesting that psychologists now refer to the heart as the “second brain”! It appears our decisions and life choices are directly affected by our hearts, and not just our brains, as believed until recently!
Wow!! I guess the scripture “guard your heart “ is incredibly accurate! Actually, the whole verse is even more thought provoking!
“ABOVE ALL ELSE, GUARD YOUR HEART, FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FLOWS FROM IT” Proverbs 4:23.
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JOY IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR By DeAnza Duron
IF THERE IS ONE CHECKPOINT THAT HAS DEFINED MY LIFE IT WOULD BE: “So how is my joy level at this moment”? It’s like a “step back, look at yourself and be really honest!” SELF DARE!!
It’s just way to easy to get on our soapboxes and blame the world and everyone in it… for OUR lack of faith, love or patience, OUR feelings of being overwhelmed, insecurity, confusion, self pity, need of a strategy, and even a lifestyle of overthinking and over complicating life!!
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Dinnertime Guidelines
Dinnertime Guidelines
Dinner time varies for most of us… sometimes it’s at the ballgame, going through a drive-in, eating at the grandparents or with friends. Sometimes we are not all together, or even eating that night at the same time… but when we are together and, especially when we are home, dinner time should be a happy time for everyone.
At least, that should be our goal.
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CHANGE THE CONVERSATION
CHANGE THE CONVERSATION
ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO CREATE A HAPPY, HEALTHY HOME ENVIRONMENT IS DIRECTING CONVERSATIONS IN A HAPPY, HEALTHY DIRECTION.
Conversations take us places! They make us feel things, see images in our minds, and seemingly force us to draw conclusions. Conversations can cause misunderstandings and conflict, worry, anger or regret! Or, they can bring peace, unity, understanding, compassion & purpose.
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FAMILY CELEBRATIONS
FAMILY CELEBRATIONS
Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and holidays are GREAT OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE GREAT MEMORIES! Actually, ANY DAY is a great opportunity to celebrate someone!!!
What will our families remember years from now? Yes, the small daily, consistent ways we express our love for one another is huge, but so are the big- effort, once-in-a-lifetime celebrations!
THE EFFORT IT TAKES TO CREATE A MEANINGFUL MOMENT FOR OUR FAMILY IS ALWAYS WORTH IT!
Good news! Sometimes, it really isn’t that difficult to make the Wow Moments, if we think ahead or be spontaneous & creative!!
Let me encourage you to have fun with your kids, teach them to celebrate others, and be intentional about doing something special for the people who are a blessing to your family!!
The options are imitless: Hiding handwritten notes, leaving balloons on someone’s front door, baking cookies and decorating with words of love, drawing hearts and fun words on the sidewalk with chalk, even walking in with a post-it on your forehead with “I’m crazy about…”!
HAVE FUN & MAKE A MEMORY! Do it your style, your “flavor”, your way… but DO IT!! Life gets so routine and mundane so quickly! YOUR KIDS LIKE SURPRISES, so “wage war” on being an ever-predictable parent” Get out-of-the-box and have a meaningful day of expressing love and honoring others!
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Don't Go Silent
DON’T GO SILENT
Some years ago, at a family dinner, I had felt misunderstood, like my input was discounted.
So I just quit talking. I stopped making any comments about anything. Later, DawnChere said “Mom, you can’t just shut down like that!” Thank God for strong daughters! I’m thankful for her loving & wise honesty and concern.
I have had to learn not to “Go silent”, but rather, stay engaged! It’s a temptation at times for all of us.
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The Happy Reset Button
This going to be short and sweet!!
SOME THINGS WE CANNOT CHANGE. SOME THINGS WE CAN CHANGE!
So, the “shortcut” to peace, joy, and inner strength is refusing to spend our days and years pouting & hurting over things we have no power to change!!
BUT, instead, WE CAN FOCUS ON WHAT WE DO HAVE POWER OVER! I have the power to choose my thoughts, my motives, my actions and my reactions! PERIOD! I am not a victim, I choose to be strong,, and I will not be manipulated. My heart will heal as I forgive, trust God, and move on!
We cannot get “stuck” on any “disconnect” of being sad, mad, hopeless, hurt or shut down for any reason. I have to fight for my peace of mind, and you do too!! But, it is worth the fight!!
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Inner Dialogue
Your Inner Dialogue
Sometimes I’m surprised at my thoughts! Lol… it’s like: okay, I’m a patient person, but my thoughts can turn soooo impatient. Or I’m convinced I forgive easily, and then I battle with thoughts of unforgiveness and even thoughts that seem… “how do you say “.. bitter?? Surprise!! Surprise!!”
What we are SAYING TO OURSELVES directly affects our conclusions, emotions, decisions, identity and inner strength! It affects EVERYTHING!!!
We are always involved in “inner dialogue”! Always! But, we can learn to “step back” from our inner flow and actually LISTEN TO WHAT WE HAVE BEEN THINKING!! Be brave… it can be alarming.
Possibly the most thought-altering perspective is simply widening the inner circle in your mind. In other words, BEING AWARE OF SOMEONE ELSE LISTENING TO YOUR THOUGHTS.
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THE POWER OF GENTLENESS
I remember loving my mom’s gentle touch!
There were so many times as a little girl watching TV or being in church, I would lay my head in her lap and she would gently stroke my arms. Or when I was sick, I can still feel her cool, soft hand on my forehead, as she prayed for me and reassured me I was going to be fine!
I want my children to remember my touch as gentle.
I have friends whose hug or embrace is so tender that it inspires me to cultivate my own gentle touch!
It’s so natural to hold a baby with a very real, intentional and careful tenderness. In fact, the younger the baby, the greater level of gentleness he or she inspires!
Yet, as our children grow older (and bigger!), we can underestimate the power of a gentle touch.
The fact is, whether a gentle hug or pat on the arm, .. or a kind, soft whisper of encouragement… there is tremendous power in gentleness.
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