MeditationMeditation for PeaceCreating Harmony in the FamilyEngaging in activities as a family can build a strong bond.Children of broken families often display certain characte33ristics such as disobedience and negative attitudes. Obviously, that is not something that is desirable. Why did these children’s families fall apart and their members go their separate ways? If we do not learn about the real causes, this may happen to our families as well. Children turn out this way when they are not properly taught. Some come from good families, but runaway due to conflicts with their siblings. Some even try to steal their sibling’s possessions at the age of only 12 or 13 years old.A lack of family unity is really at the core of these problems. If all begins when each member has a different schedule resulting in no interactions with each other. As they become more distant, the family eventually falls apart. However, the primary cause of a family’s rapid deterioration is the failure to have dinner together.In a large family, members who do not eat dinner together have even more disagreements. Take for an example, if one day a mother cooks a very delicious meal that everyone enjoys, everyone will eat more than their usual portion. If they sit down and have dinner together, the only problem they may encounter is a shortage of food by a few bites per person.However, if everyone eats at different times, a problem will likely occur. Those eating last may not have enough food to eat. The child is left feeling hurt and neglected. If that child helped out around the house, he/she will feel jealous as well.The lazy children can usually be found hanging around the kitchen close to dinner time, complimenting their mother on cooking a delicious meal. Even before setting the table, they will take and sample the best parts first, too. These chubby children are adored by the mother because they know what sweet things to say.Those diligent children whose work usually takes them past dinner time end up being the last ones to eat. They are the most tired, yet they get to eat only the leftovers. Sometimes they end up washing the dishes, too. All this hurts their feelings. The more these situations occur, the more hurt they will feel. Minor disputes with situations are followed by major arguments. If a sibling happens to break a favorite cup, anger will arise, possibly resulting in a physical altercation.Eating together allows family members to voice their concerns and to give adviceto others because people are often in a better mood when they are full.Parents who do not understand the true causes will just pacify the situation, but this does not address the actual problem. The anger may still linger. If similar incidents occur regularly, parents could misinterpret such situations and blame the misunderstood child. The child may become jealous of his siblings and might run away from home if an opportunity arises.A minor thing such as not having dinner together as a family could be all it takes to break a family. Parent may be oblivious to rising resentment and conflict. This problem usually occurs in new family where everyone is busy with their own activities and do not have time for each other. NO one knows what could be bothering the other person. Therefore, a family that does not eat together is a red flag that this family is on the verge of falling apart.Eating together allows family members to voice their concerns and to give advice to others because people are often in a better mood when they are full. Parents can use thin time to demonstrate good habits and etiquette to their children.Our ancestors expressed the importance of having at least one daily meal together. Breakfast is difficult since everyone rushes to prepare for work or school. Lunch is impractical because everyone is away from home.Dinner is an important meal that should be reserved for the family. Missing it would be unfortunate since everyone must tend to their own personal things after dinner. Some will do homework while others watch television. If time is not set aside for dinner to talk or clarify things, unresolved issues may linger and result in arguments.Some households solve this problem by giving everyone their own television set. In the evenings, everyone eats separately and watches his/her own television set. No one needs to talk to each other because everyone is busy, but there is no warmth in the family.Another situation that leads to disunity in the family is food preparation. Today’s married couple usually argues over it. If they only make an effort to order out, eating while their eyes are glued to the television set, thinking about how the characters on television are much more attractive than our own spouses, their marriage will certainly fall apart.Married couples should also consider visits to in-laws. Do we accompany our spouse or let them go alone? If they go alone, be prepared for problems in the marriage.Engaging in activities as a family can build a strong bond. Do not take it lightly because many broken families have taken it that way.In conclusion, creating harmony in a family is easy. If starts with an activity where all members can be involved. Dinner is the easiest and best activity. Or at the very least, family members should come together to talk about various issues, using Dhamma as their guide. Talk to each other with reason, even if everyone does not share the same views. Doing things together has benefits that will bring warmth and unity to the whole family." /> " /> " /> " /> " /> " /> " /> " /> " /> " /> " />
Creating Harmony in the Family
[ 12 มี.ค. 2555 ] - [ 18258 ]
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