My heart has been heavy as I've watched the news of all the horrific acts of violence in our country. I'm not sure how we are going to come to a compromise about how to keep our children safe, keep our right to bear arms, help the mentally ill to have the care and rights they deserve, and so many more issues. But I have to do something. There are still things we can be doing while we try to sort it all out. I hope you will join us. This is what we did in our family yesterday:
First of all, we held a family council. We discussed some of the current events and shootings that are taking place at schools and various places. We answered the children's questions and talked about how the people doing these horrible acts have had their minds thinking about violence and looking only inward. We decided we needed to take action as a family, not only to make sure none of us would ever have a desire to hurt others, but to spread love and help those around us to also make good decisions and feel joy and happiness. We made a plan.
Second, it was time to put the plan into action. We decided to go through our video games and throw away any that were violent. I was surprised at how willing my kids were to do this- and also how many we had! Yikes! They ran upstairs and knew exactly which games they should get rid of. After our talk, they all decided they didn't ever want to have thoughts that could lead to hurting people. We threw the games away.
Third, we wanted to do what we could to replace all the hate and violence with love and light. Where there is light, darkness cannot remain. We decided that we are going to be more purposeful about the service we give in our family and in our community. It can be as simple as giving someone a hug that is sad, or standing up for someone that is being teased or gossiped about. To keep this in the forefront of our minds, we agreed that we would report back at dinnertime about what little daily acts of service we do during the day. To take it just a bit farther, at our weekly family council, we're going to pick a service to do as a family that will build our family, friends or neighbors.
You may think to yourself- but what kind of difference is my little family going to make? All the difference! Especially if we all start doing this. It can start with one person thinking of others. Hate crimes are self centered. When you serve others, you begin to love them. You create a bond with that person. Every body wants to feel loved and appreciated. And I guarantee you that the perpetrators of these violent crimes aren't feeling loved or appreciated.
We may not be able to change the world, or others choices, but we can make a difference in our family. From there we can make a difference in our community. And maybe those communities can start influencing on an even bigger scale. But we have to teach, love and act.
Let's spread love and kindness to all we meet. None of us is perfect. When we mess up and do end up hurting others feelings, let's be quick to ask forgiveness, and have a forgiving heart of our own.
This week our family service project was to create a virtual piano recital for our grandmother who lives far away and is too old to travel much any more. The kids were using their creative talents and sharing them to brighten someone else's day. Creativity, as well as service, brings joy.
Next week they plan to write letters to some people in our extended family who could use a lift.
Who is with us? We would love to hear the ways your family has decided to serve!! I'm sure you're doing so much already. Let's step it up together!
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