Want change in the world? Do this!

by Jenifer Truitt,  Ziglar Family

If I asked you to name three things that are wrong with this world we live in today, I bet it would take you less than 5 seconds to rattle them off.

If pressed, you could probably also share an opinion or two about what could be done to ‘make things better.’

But what if I asked what YOU could do, personally, to make this world a better place?

That’s where it gets a little overwhelming and uncomfortable, doesn’t it?

I think many of us tend to feel like there is really nothing we can personally do to make the world a better, kinder, more peaceful place.

(And here’s a hint: ranting and opining about it on Facebook is NOT the answer.  I wish everyone understood that!)

I recently came across this quote, where Mother Teresa of Calcutta famously said,

 “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.”

Wow.

Those are some profound words, aren’t they?

And I can’t think of a better way to change the world right now, when it seems like bad news and political scandal is at the top of everyone’s mind, than to do exactly as she suggests.  Go home and love your family.

It doesn’t have to be complicated:  you don’t need to write love songs or poems, or send flowers, or make grand gestures.

In fact, you can choose to make it as simple as four letters.

What do I mean by that?

Of course I’m referring to one of Zig Ziglar’s most often-repeated quotes:

“Love, to a child, is spelled T-I-M-E.”

Spending some quality time with your family this week could be the absolute best way to show them that, no matter what is happening in the outside world, everyone is safe and loved at home. 

Need some ideas for ways to be present with your family members this week? 

  • Make it a goal to have dinner together more nights than not.  (And put those phones away so you can really talk —and listen— to each other!)
  • Better yet, MAKE dinner together!  Something easy, like tacos, is a lot of fun.
  • Let the kids choose a game or two and have a family game night.
  • Read aloud to your kids before bedtime from their choice of book. 
  • Use time in the car to connect with your teens.  Sometimes they are more comfortable opening up when they don’t have to look you right in the eye as they talk. 
  • Enlist your child’s help in a to-do project around the house.
  • Take a walk or ride bikes around your neighborhood and enjoy the start of fall colors.
  • Pray together.

Whatever else you choose to do, make sure that every single day you let both your words and your actions show your family members how important they are to you and that you love them.

Zig Ziglar also said, “The best way to make your spouse and children feel secure is not with big deposits in bank accounts, but with little deposits of thoughtfulness and affection in the ‘love account.’” 

Let’s all make some important deposits this week, and then watch and see how the world – at least the world within our home – will change in a beautiful way!

Question:  How will you spend intentional time with your family this week?

2018-09-27T15:18:44+00:00

10 Comments

  1. Ebere September 29, 2018 at 6:45 pm - Reply

    Thanks for this reminder. Life gets busier sometimes and you tend to slack in some vital aspects of family time.
    It’s my daughter’s 13th birthday tomorrow and intend to take her and her siblings out to lunch and then have some one to one chat with her afterwards.
    Family is society!

  2. Danica September 29, 2018 at 7:17 pm - Reply

    Go to a pumpkin patch or on a hey ride together!

  3. Danica September 29, 2018 at 7:19 pm - Reply

    Not hey ride…HAY ride! But I mean, a “hey ride” could be fun too: get in the car, drive around, and say Hey to everyone you see 🙂

    • Jen September 29, 2018 at 7:30 pm - Reply

      This just made me literally lol! ?

    • Tifny M Hoppel October 1, 2018 at 1:01 pm - Reply

      hahah i love this!

  4. Louise September 29, 2018 at 7:56 pm - Reply

    Spending my birthday with the family.

  5. Madlin Mangrum September 29, 2018 at 11:18 pm - Reply

    I love, love this post Jen. I will share it in the Unplugged Family Facebook page. I had just posted or said in a FB live the quote “love to a child is spelled T-I-M-E.” I had no idea it was Zig Ziglar, one of my heroes!

  6. Morar September 30, 2018 at 4:04 am - Reply

    Going to make an extra effort to include others into our family fun Sunday today. ?

  7. Naz September 30, 2018 at 7:34 pm - Reply

    Do even the littlest things together… take a child for your weekly shop and make a routine chore, special time spent one on one with a child. Do this for each of your children … regularly

    Agree with the time in the car. Pick up
    From the station , dark , remarkable the conversation that can be had….with the older kids.

    JUST BE PRESENT
    First advice to self??

  8. DeAnn Heinz October 1, 2018 at 11:02 am - Reply

    I have older ones, 21 and little ones, to 1 a year old. I always take time to give them a hug, whether it’s seeing them at work or only for a few minutes before I leave. Even the teenage boys (which sometimes turns into a wrestling match!). Then I always know that the last thing they heard from Mom was “I love you” and a hug.

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