Last week my son, Tom, had a sports physical at the doctor. I dropped him off and went to run errands. He called me on the cell phone to say they wouldn’t take insurance for a sports physical, they wouldn’t bill us, and we would have to pay cash. I didn’t have the cash with me. I talked with the receptionist and was feeling frustrated and embarrassed. My daughter (home visiting from college), when she heard the problem, said she had the money and would pay for the physical, which she did. The whole thing embarrassed me and bothered me until I started to look for the positive nuggets. My son was grateful to his sister and saw that she loved him and cared for him. It strengthened their bond. I saw my children learning to help one another, which reassures me for the future. I saw how self-sufficient my daughter has become. What a blessing the whole incident turned out to be! This next week, look for the good in your home and turn a blind eye to the negative. You can focus on the dirt in the corners, or you can see the wilting dandelions in the paper cup and embrace the heart that put them there.

Change #3—Hold steady

This is the week that your two new habits will be tested. This is when you really show whether your desire to make a peaceful home is strong enough to make it happen. Your job this week is to hold steady. Be a rock, an anchor to your family. Even in rough waters the anchor does not move from it’s place. Be that for your family. If you are an anchor when the waters are rough, the storm will eventually pass and everyone will be that much safer and at peace than they were before. Change is a process, not one big event. Even though we are not perfect we can steadily keep on keeping on. Keep up your new habits and add this trait to it—the ability to keep doing the good thing when the going gets tough.

Change #4—Listen

The goal for this week is short, but very important. There’s not a lot that needs to be explained so I’ll just say it straight out.

Listen more than you speak! Did you hear me? Listen more than you speak!

Change #5—Look at your surroundings

What we see everyday has an effect on our thinking. This week look around your house and see what is on display. What are you and your family looking at everyday? Is it pleasant? Uplifting? Happy? Identify things that add to the positive feeling in your home and those that detract. Remove those things that promote fear, lust, violence, or greed. Surround your family with positive, peaceful images.