Your Family IS Your Business!

       YOUR BUSINESS IS FAMILY! 
I often talk about principles of
success.  But success is so much more than money; it’s peace of mind,
it’s love… it’s family.  We are starting a new series of articles,
detailing the principles of Happiness.  We will be concentrating not
on what is in our wallets, but rather, what’s in our lives and our hearts.
It Starts With Family and
Relationships.
If you have all the money in the world,
but a dysfunctional, unhappy family, you are not successful.  Now,
don’t get me wrong, money is important.  Without a baseline income
for day to day expenses, life is tough.  Money issues strain
relationships; it hurts to our core when we can’t provide our children the same
things their peers get i.e. the newest LeBron James basketball shoes… If we can
just barely pay our bills, can’t go out as often as we’d like, that’s not an
ideal situation. 
There is no question that money is an
important component of the “happiness equation”.  But in this
society, money has come to be considered the pinnacle of success; the absolute
objective for many.  But how many lives, how many families have been
destroyed by the relentless pursuit of wealth? True happiness comes from the
relationships in our lives, not the money in our pockets.  The wealthy,
commit suicide all the time.  Happiness is all about balance, but
that balance has to start with your family and the relationships in our lives.
Remember, it’s never too late to cure a
sick bank account… But that can’t always be said of curing a dying
relationship. What is the best way to cure a sick relationship?  Nurture
it; Protect it; EVEN BETTER?  Don’t
let it get sick in the first place!
Is Your Relationship Currently
Unhealthy? Try The Following Prescription.
From this day forward make sure that
your main focus is not on you… but rather on your family and
friends.  Show them that they are a top priority.  Don’t
just feel it… Make Them Feel It!   Show them by your
actions how much they are appreciated.  As to your
family?  Your spouse?  Your children? Make them the
foundation of the rest of your life. 
No one cares how much you know… unless
they know how much you care!
I found a long time ago that one of the
surest ways to peace, happiness and even achievement is to
focus on the needs of others and to always show appreciation to those around
me… especially my family.  What you put out really does
come back to you; and in countless ways...  Nothing is better than
the feelings you get upon seeing the smiles on their faces and the love in
their heart.  If you really put family first… you’ll never be
without one.  Remember, Nurture and Protect!
Whether your wife, husband, friend or
acquaintance; when they deserve praise, give it.  When they need
comfort or compassion, give it.  When they deserve an apology, give
it.  When they’ve hurt you?  Don’t ignore it… but be
understanding and handle it appropriately and proportionally.  Don’t
let the OUTRAGE of the moment destroy your relationship.
The fact is no relationship is
perfect.  There are a thousand things that can happen or be perceived
as happening that create a passion and rage that propels us into a
heated destructive fight.  It happens to everyone… and it has
happened to me. 
How To Minimize The Damage?
What to do when they that
happens?  If possible, slow down; Think about it… Even
consider ignoring it.  Perception is not always
reality.  
Learn to slow down, choose your battles and their timing.
Before responding, remember; Perception
is not always reality.  
Ask yourself and in this order:
·         Did what
     I think happened, actually happen? 
·         Did what
     was said really mean what I thought that
     they meant?
·         If so, ask
     yourself; is the fight really worth it? 
·         What will
     this fight accomplish? Destroy my spouse and relationship? Worth it?
·         If
it must be dealt with, is this the
right time?
Get It Right Tomorrow… NOT Wrong Today!