FAMILY AT HOME & AT WORK
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Helen Keller
We are again at the threshold of a decisive moment where the destiny of our nation is at a crossroads. This has become a familiar tune for us in the workplace. We, at work, need to fully realize our immense responsibility that is attached to it and that it goes beyond our personal comfort or workplace concern. We may have lost a sense of what it means to take part in this exercise but we in the business sector must all the more participate in helping build our nation where the family, the most basic and integral unit of our society, is the fertile soil that nurtures the necessary values that define the Filipino society today.
The word family is “in” and its popularity continues to increase. This resurgence of concern in our generation today pleases me, for I don’t know of any realm of our lives that offers more companionship in this chaotic world or greater feeling of security and purpose in troubled times, than the close ties of a strong family.
A strong family life does not just occur. It’s a result of deliberate intention, purpose, determination, and practice. We see several families that are crumbling in today’s society. From separation and rampant immorality, child abuse, and rebellion, it seems to me that the closely-knit family is becoming rare, extinct, almost lost. In spite of stress and anxiety at work, it is still possible to enjoy a warm and wonderful family life if we commit ourselves to it, appreciate and relate well with each other.
I was a very young housewife when I came across a book entitled: Husbands, Wives, Parents, and Children. I must have read it a good number of times. Ralph Martin, the author, offers timeless insights to help us build a deeper and richer family life. He encourages people to set priorities that enable them to enjoy the members of their families in good times and also stay together through bad times. He has inspired readers to fill their simple homes with love, laughter, mutual respect, encouragement, aspirations, and a treasure chest of memories. Life can be filled with personal trials, domestic concerns, and economic difficulties.
This book on the family evokes many emotions. His readers will be affirmed, encouraged, and reassured. Others, however, must have been all the more confused and continued to wonder how they can change gear in midstream. Still others must have been disappointed, feeling they have lost precious time in raising their families. Looking back, many parents still long for the impossible, namely a chance to raise their families all over again. But it’s never too late to rise above the ruins, relive lost lives, and rebuild a family nurtured by love and concern for one another. With our increasing demands at work, a time to reflect on these may provide positive results.
It would be wonderful if we live a cut above humanity – soaring through life on angelic graceful wings. It is a beautiful sight to see a family engaged in a caring conversation and arm-in-arm affirmation that renew hope for our society now downtrodden with many broken families. What matters is that families are staying at the unheralded, relentless, and often thankless task of building their homes by wisdom, establishing it by understanding, filling each room with precious hugs and kisses, and building memories that will last for a lifetime. Enough children reared in places like these will provide all that is needed to turn our much troubled world around. This will also bring joy and happiness to people in various workplaces.
The secret rests with the family – yours and mine.
(Teri, a wife to a dentist, and mother to 3 adolescent sons, trains professionals and writes textbooks in Speech).
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