Dear Friends,
My grandmother always told me that you can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar. Have you ever stopped to think about how you try to accomplish things in your homes?
1. Do you play the martyr?
2. Do you say please and thank you?
3. Do you treat others the way you would want to be treated?
4. Do you stomp your foot and demand respect?
5. Do you ignore everyone’s feelings and say it has to be your way?
6. Does your family walk on eggshells around you trying not to “poke the bear” So you won’t explode into a fit of rage.
7. Do you pout when you don’t get your way?
8. Do you show your love by setting a good example?
9. Do you practice what you preach?
10. Do you preach and don’t practice.
11. Do you ever apologize?
12. Do you pitch a fit (just because you can) to get your way?
13. Do you feel alone in your own home?
We are taught to love our neighbor as ourselves and to do unto others the way we would want to be treated. This week I want you to look hard at how you treat others: children, spouses, co-workers, employees and friends.
If someone treated you the way you are treating them; how would you feel? We have all had to deal with a demanding condescending boss in the past. Walking on those eggshells does not make for a pleasant work environment. Many of us were raised by people who were as demanding and condescending as those bosses. Living in fear either at work or at home is no way to live.
We are the queens and kings of our homes. We can either earn respect or we can stomp our feet and demand it! We earn respect and love by setting the example for our family in the way that we would like to be treated.
Just because our parents treated us badly does not mean we have to do this to others. We can stop this behavior. It is up to us to set the example and show the world that we are not the tyrant. We have lived in fear most of our lives; Fear of not being loved. Fear of disapproving eyes. Fear of letting someone down. Fear of “poking the bear”! Fear is worse than hate. It is the opposite of love. I pity anyone who feels that it is better to be feared than to be loved.
If you have been ruling your household with fear as the underlying tool to get your way; I want you to think hard about this form of management. Who did this to you? Do you want to change? Are you willing to take the babysteps you need to change this learned behavior? You don’t have to rule with an iron fist to get your way!
Are you ready to set the example in love and lead your family with a loving hand?
Live Your Life Fearlessly!
FlyLady
