It made me feel like a part of their lives. And in doing this, I began to feel more connected to my family.
Slowly, I began to see the positive things they were doing at work or their effort into the delicious dishes they were cooking. I became more proactive in learning about them. I would praise my 5-year-old niece when she started to read, count, sort, or said certain “big” words!īut for the rest of my family members, as an extension to Step 2, I started to pay closer attention to the things they did well. I often pressed upon the children in my family. Be authentic in your praise and appreciation.Īs an educator, I know the importance of encouraging children.Actively listen to others and avoid judgments.A few things to remember when putting this step to action: It was then easier to praise and appreciate their accomplishments and milestones because I understood their struggles behind them. By carrying out the first step, I realized how my relationships were developing and transforming! By giving time and listening and talking to others, I now had insight into what was occurring in my family’s lives. This step was much easier to practice than I had initially thought. We now look for more and more opportunities to see one another - to celebrate each other! And while this pandemic year is unusual, we still meet - replacing the traditional in-person gatherings with virtual celebrations: zoom chat meets, online Pictionary nights, and digital dinner dates! Being present for one another became important for each of us.Ģ) Praise, Appreciate, and Encourage Each Other As we collectively reflected on the year past, we realized how much joy we reaped in merely coming together! Smiles, stories, and so many cherished memories! But why had it been so challenging to find the time to meet one another in the past? Why were we too buried and wrapped up in our own lives? My family understood the value of the time we spent together and instinctively prioritized the other aspects of our lives.
Arrows in a quiver full#
It’s a special time of the year for us- full of traditions, large meals, festive decorations, and loads of laughter. Very recently, my family virtually celebrated Diwali - the Hindu festival of lights. And while it sounds relatively simple, it’s often difficult to do. It provides a sturdy base to build out the remaining steps. To meet is to lay the foundation for family harmony. It was at this point when I came across the four principles for family unity from His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj: 1) Meet Each Other Naturally, I found myself wondering how my family can remain united. My grandmother lovingly explained how staying united, like the quiver of arrows, was critical for my family’s security and prosperity.ĭespite the growing physical distance, lack of time, bustling careers, and ever-piling personal responsibilities and priorities, this was a lesson to keep. The kingdom will remain secure and prosperous.” The king explained to his senior courtiers, “See, if you remain united like this quiver of arrows, then whoever the enemy is, they will not be able to defeat you. Then, pulling out the quiver of arrows, the king said, “Let the strongest among you break these arrows.” Then, the strongest man tried, but even he could not break the quiver of arrows. A simple man from his court came forward and, with some force, broke the arrow. He took one arrow and asked who could break the arrow. This tale taught me the value and strength of unity:Ī king once asked for a quiver of arrows. Her words brought so much warmth within my heart that I’d ask her to repeat the story! I could listen to it again and again. In sharing stories of her life in Nairobi, Kenya, and detailing her favorite memories, this tale was one never to forget. I realize that means I have missed holding my baby niece in the early stages of her life.Īs many of us begin to crave social interaction and connectedness, especially approaching the holidays, I am reminded of a story my grandmother used to tell me when I was young. All 9 pounds and 11 ounces of her brought us all so much joy! However, since then, my family has had to isolate to keep our young ones and over-65ers as safe as can be. Spending quality time with friends and family over Zoom meetings is great, but it’s just not the same. Being back at work as an educator, I feel the inner loss of connection with my loved ones. Isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown has hit me hard.
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