Want to ruin a good vacation? Grumble and complain.

Want to destroy a lovely dinner? Grumble and complain.

Would you like to destroy an intimate moment or ruin a gift? You got it…grumble and complain.

It’s true. Grumbling is powerful, a mighty force of destruction in families; yet it is so common and even accepted. But you don’t have to allow grumbling and complaining to cause destruction in your family. You can overcome grumbling with this simple action: GIVE THANKS. That’s right. Intentionally look for opportunities to give thanks.

• When a family member prepares a meal, washes clothes, or cleans a room give them thanks.
• When your spouse comes home from work, give thanks.
• Rather than grumble about traffic and red lights, give thanks for your car, the freedom and resources to travel, and the safe order traffic lights provide.
• When you are tempted to grumble about the food you have to eat, take a moment to express gratitude for the food you have, the finances to purchase the food, and the ability and resources to prepare the food.
• The list goes on…and on…and on….

Instead of grumbling, accept the opportunity to give thanks. As you do, the lens with which you see the world begins to change. The atmosphere around you lightens. Your family will experience greater joy, which flows out of the freedom from the oppression of grumbling. You begin to recognize more positive aspects of each family member and grumbling gets replaced by gratitude. Shackles of negativity slip off as you begin an upward cycle of joy and intimacy that climbs on the currents of gratitude. And that is something to be grateful for!!