By Megen Hibbins
Places of Family Happiness (PFH) – what do I mean by this? Well, quite simply I believe that every family has a place or places of family happiness. Meaning that it is a place where the whole family is happy and feels at ease to be themselves, loved and free.
So, how do we find or even recognize a PFH?
A PFH is that place you go to and feel totally at ease, relaxed, free and happy. This isn’t just about you though, this is how every member of the family feels in this place.
It can sometimes be tricky to find these places. For example, you LOVE taking your children to visit your friend. The kids, although loving each other’s company, argue all the time. This isn’t a PFH.
The reason this isn’t a PFH is that you can’t be relaxed, you are being the constant moderator. I am not saying don’t visit this friend, just realize that you are still “on the job”. This is not the place to go for complete mental and physical relaxation.
Most people believe that they need to head out on a holiday to get complete rest and relaxation (I am one of those ATM). Yet, how often do you head out on the awesome holiday, you stressed yourself silly getting ready for it, come home and are more exhausted than when you left?
How is this a PFH? It simply can’t be. Your mind is so full of things to do, get ready and attend to, that you haven’t really had a holiday at all.
A PFH should be as simple as gardening with the family (if they like that sort of thing), going to the river or beach, walking in the bush, etc.
PFH are the places that every member of the family is at ease and relaxed. The whole family is at peace and able to be themselves while enjoying the atmosphere and company of those around them.
My family has a few PFH. One of our favourite places is our mountain house. This place is totally off the grid and it also has no television, computer, telephones, etc.
This means that our minds are free from all the stuff that usually crowds into our life.
Half the problems of most people come down to not getting enough mental free time. Simply put, not being able to turn off the switch in the head. Without the downtime for our brains, we become unsettled, irritable and snappy. This leads to families not being able to enjoy time together, especially if one or more are unable to relax.
