FAMILY: You’ve only got one. Our time on this earth is precious and we should spend as much of it as we can enjoying and investing in the people we care about most.
Often times we get so busy doing things for people and running around with and for others that we don’t really connect with each other. You’ve heard the saying, “Love is spelled T-I-M-E.” While that’s grammatically incorrect, emotionally it couldn’t me more accurate. Doing or buying things for each other is nice, but nothing expresses true love like a heartfelt compliment, hearty laughs shared or a good old fun time doing whatever it is you like to do.
Have you ever seen couples or families at a restaurant and everyone at the table is staring into their phone? Have you ever been those people? These days we’re so addicted to our phones, social media and streamed content that we can hardly put them down to have a real conversation with the people in front of us.
It gets easier and easier with each advance in technology to be more connected to our devices than to our family members. And while technology is incredibly valuable, we have to make a conscious decision to drop our devices and cultivate real, meaningful relationships in moments that matter.
In our eBook, 7 Day Jumpstart to a Purposefull Life, we shared 3 new and improved house rules for purposefully engaging your household in conversation and connecting on a daily basis. We’re challenging you to implement these in your family, too!
RULE #1: SHUT DOWN AND SHOW UP
We all have only 24 hours in a day, and most of those hours are allocated to sleep and work. Those remaining hours must be stewarded with great care if we want to get the most out of life! Be diligent in finishing your work tasks on time, and call it a day when it’s time to call it a day. Commit to clocking out or logging off at a specific time each day and spend the rest of the evening enjoying your family and friends. Make it a priority to get home in time for dinner, or make it out with your friends like you said you would!
RULE #2: POWER OFF AND PAY ATTENTION
Multitasking reduces efficiency and effectiveness, which is simply unacceptable when it comes to engaging our loved ones and nurturing those priceless relationships. When someone is talking to you, turn away from your laptop, put down the phone or iPad, and listen. Be present. Be mindful. Look at them, hear what they’re saying, and engage! Nothing meaningful is derived from the absent-minded “mmmhmmm” muttered from behind a screen in response to whatever it was whoever just said.
Make the mantra “there’s nowhere I’d rather be than exactly where I am” a truth for you when you’re with people you love… and act like it!
RULE #3: SAY IT AND SHOW IT
Everyone expresses and interprets love differently. For some people, a compliment will brighten their whole day, while for others a thoughtful act of kindness, a surprise gift, a few hours of quality time, or even a simple hug lets them know how much you care. Take the time to figure out—whether by observation or by asking directly— what “language” your family members speak when it comes to feeling loved, valued and appreciated. This week, make sure everyone in your household knows how much you love them by making it a point to communicate your love in the way will resonate with them most. Be purposeful in giving compliments and kisses goodnight, or going out of your way to do a favor, take something off their plate, or pickup something special like flowers or a card on your way home.