I was just sitting here reflecting back on our vacation as we are on the road back home. And I was just thinking about how this vacation was the best summer vacation we have taken in a long long time. Everyone got along so well, everyone was always HAPPY, and the kids had so much fun and were so well behaved!
One of the things that we have been working on as a family is THINKING before we make any kind of comment. Before we say something we are now asking ourselves, “Is what I am about to say going to reinforce anyone to chime in with negative comments, which could then lead to a conversation filled with complaining” or “Is what I am about to say something that people will automatically respond positively about?”
If it’s something that could lead to people being negative or start complaining about, we aren’t going to say it at all. We will keep that thought to ourselves. So for example, if there was a load of laundry sitting in the dryer…. Instead of saying, “That load of laundry is STILL in the dryer?!” Which would then lead to the other family member getting upset and being defensive……just don’t comment at all about it and take it out and fold it. Little things like that, but it’s making a BIG difference.
We aren’t perfect by any means, but it’s a step in the right direction and things are improving and I noticed this vacation there was literally no complaining at all. It’s these small insignificant daily decisions to try to improve something in our lives that will make a difference! Just because things have been a certain way for a long time, doesn’t mean they have to always stay like that. That’s something I’ve learned myself over the past year.
So give it a try for yourself and see how it goes! You do feel so much better after and everyone is so much HAPPIER! It takes a conscious effort to do this but if anyone tries it out, comment below. I’d LOVE to hear how it goes!
