Make families matter in 2022
... let us include giving, gratitude and goodness in our family lives
FAMILIES in Fiji are at the centre of events in 2022.
The challenges ushered in 2020 by COVID 19 requires a new path of national development as slow economic growth, and widespread changes in demography have forced significant social changes, which in turn are having an enormous impact on social health of families and family structures.
Community welfare, wellness and wellbeing in Fiji have traditionally been the responsibility of the family, however, these relationships have been disrupted, because of the COVID crisis, which not only affected the sources of income but the entire life systems.
Families have traditionally played a vital role in teaching values to the younger generation and caring for children, the elderly and those family members who are physically or mentally ill.
However, loss of family support has left families vulnerable, in caring for the older persons and the persons with different abilities.
There is a need for the families and older persons to make the national social health as the priority in 2022.
Let us include giving, gratitude and goodness in our family lives.
There is a concept of giving and sharing in every faith and community, so let us revisit this beautiful concept and make it a part of our lives.
Beyond giving money and physical support, giving can also include the time you volunteer talking to someone to ease their fear, pain and anxiety.
Listening and consoling and reminding the afflicted, particularly the seniors, of God's mercy, all these are acts that are part of our spiritual values.
Gratitude is also an important part of family life which we need to bring back in our lives as we grapple with the various stages of the crisis.
A grateful heart that verbalises gratefulness repeatedly, thanking God for all blessings, big or small, with soul deep appreciation and heartfelt gratitude will enjoy abundance of rewards.
Lastly, the practice of giving and gratitude will bring goodness in the family and community lives.
Let's do good deeds, only as much as we are able to, for the best deeds are those done regularly even it may be a little. Remember that the reward for doing good is nothing but GOOD.
The message of hope and relief, through giving, gratitude and goodness, are the most credible healing balm we can share with our fellow human beings.
This message of hope and promise, that this trial will end, is a message we all need to hear over and over again. It is said that after hardship there is ease.
Best wishes for 2022 to all families.