Draw Others Back to You through Your Love

I wish to express the importance of showing love, being hopeful, expressing validation and being forgiving of those who stray from our families. I think many families have parents, children, friends, etc. who become wayward. There are members of my family who have made mistakes and suffered from abuse and addictions. What human being has not made a mistake? During difficult challenges it is helpful to have supportive family members.

Anger

            Anger is a secondary emotion. Anger destroys families within the walls of their own homes. Most people get angry when their expectations about what others should do are not being met. I know I have allowed myself to be angry towards others for their actions, but this is not an effective way to help those we love. Anger is actually a choice. We have a stimulus or something that makes us angry, and then we have our agency, and can choose our response. It is important to make our homes and relationships safe heavens.

 

Dealing with Differences

            Unrealistic expectations are a problem facing many individuals and families. There are many ways that we can communicate our expectations, show love, and express validation for those we love. One technique I use to do this within my own family is called the Speaker-Listener Technique. This is a technique involving two people. One person is the speaker and the other is the listener. The speaker uses “I” statements to communicate what they think and feel. The listener paraphrases what the speaker is communicating, with the hopes of better understanding the speaker so that a resolution can be reached. Google is actually a great resource to find more information about the Speaker Listener Technique.

 Temple Covenants

            As mentioned before I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I would like to share a quote from President Boyd K. Packer about the binding power of the sealing ordinance made in the temple. “Now sometimes there are those who are lost. We have the promise of the prophets that they are not permanently lost, that if they are sealed in the temple ordinances, and if the covenants are kept (by the parents), in due time, after all the corrections that’s necessary to be given, that they will not be lost.” I believe that natural consequences follow everyone’s actions and choices. I believe that it is important to not judge others for their mistakes or trials. “It is important to love family members, let them make their own decisions, and separate the sin from the sinner.”