Food for Thought - Family Unity

A family of four sit together over the dinner table, enjoying the harmonious feast. An infatuating smell fills the air. Mouths water over the extraordinary meal that sits in front of them. Everywhere around, you see faces smiling, hear sounds of giggling, and pure joy fills the atmosphere. This is the beauty of Friday dinner time. 

However, it didn't always look like this. One day there would be a lonely space in one corner, parents wondering where their daughter was spending this precious time. An other day, they would all sit together, but instead of smiles, you would see faces of pure boredom. Of anxiousness to see what the friends had replied to a message sent two minutes ago. A mind anywhere else but here. Oh, how grateful are we that things have changed...

How has this time in my family changed so drastically?... I ask myself. How did we go, from our isolated lives, to one full of loving moments together? Our dinner times are now ones we look forward to, to spend valuable time together, to rejoice in the importance of family. I believe dinner time is one of the most important elements to keep a family united, if done properly of course. Here are some tips from things we have implemented and learnt throughout the years to make dinner time not just delicious, but what we look forward to every day:

Why is it so important in the first place? Why is it an absolutely essential habit to try commit to almost every day? It creates the habit prioritising QUALITY FAMILY TIME. One of the absolutely most important things as a parent, and as sons/daughters we can learn to implement into our busy lives. Prioritising one and other with TIME. This comes from both the parent's side, and the children's side. It's a habit that should be implemented from a young age. I remember a friend who always had to go home for dinner as a family rule. At the time, I didn't understand, but now I see the value. This time together on a daily basis, or at least most days, isn't just eating dinner together. It's time you have together to catch up, to find our want went well and not so during the day, to laugh and strengthen your bonds.

One habit that has created a complete 180 degree change in our family is the DAILY GRATITUDE. Everyday at the dinner table, we go around saying what we are grateful for that day. It is not missed. It gives us time to reflect on the day positively, and start the conversation going on different subjects that last for hours. Usually being late to our  night events because we got so caught up in conversation. Compared to before, when we would sit together in silence then all leave our seperate ways as soon as the last spoon left our plate, this has created a huge connection between one another.

Another big one, NO PHONES AT THE TABLE. Now I know this is difficult at first, when you hear your phone chiming in the room next door, and your mind starts going over every single emergency you might be missing, this is absolutely essential. How can you be present with the people around you, when you are in a conversation with a person on the other side of the world? They can wait, their life won't explode without your instant reply, you will survive. It's pretty crazy when we think about the olden days, when people used to wait for weeks or even months for a reply! Now we wait for five minutes and it feels like eternity. Maybe it's time to go to the old days and actually live the life in front of our eyes!

Let me ask you... what do you do in your family that's special? What's a routine, a habit, or special bonding activity you do together? I'd love to hear and learn! It's a never ending journey that continues throughout our life time. It's a weekly, if not daily practice we need to continue prioritising into our lives, in order to progress further as a family of unity.

 Favourite quote on the importance of family unity:

"All the virtues must be taught by the family.  The integrity of the family bond must be constantly considered, and the rights of the individual members must not be transgressed.  The rights of the son, the father, the mother – none of them must be transgressed, none of them must be arbitrary.  Just as the son has certain obligations to his father, the father, likewise, has certain obligations to his son.  The mother, the sister and other members of the household have their certain prerogatives.  All these rights and prerogatives must be conserved, yet the unity of the family must be sustained. The injury of one shall be considered the injury of all; the comfort of each, the comfort of all; the honor of one, the honor of all." – 'Abdu'l-Baha 

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