Words of Wellness features Family Wellness in the month of May

Set family goals, and share your dreams. Unless you're on a reality TV show, it's unlikely that anybody is going to show up and make your families dreams come true. But the good news is this is reality, and you can make your own dreams come true by creating a specific game plan with tasks everyone can do. Set a date, keep a chart and viola! You will be living your dream.

Call up estranged family and reunite.

If you're still alive, it's not too late to reconnect with family you haven't seen for a while. And they would probably like to hear from you.

Don't worry about what they might think.

And don't worry if they still hate you or are carrying a grudge.

Simply give them a call and say something like this: "Hey, this is ______ (fill in your name), and it's been a while since we've seen each other. Since then, I've grown up and matured a bit, and realize my actions in the past may have caused you some pain. I'm sorry and would like to apologize in person. Would you be open to meeting me Tuesday at 4:00pm at the Big Oak Restaurant on Downey St." (Or something to that nature.)

If they are open to meeting you, they will set a time with you.

And if they are not interested, they'll let you know that too. At least you tried to reconnect - and you've passed the ball back in their court - either way, you are free to move on with your life.

Don't spend your life harboring ill will and regret of a relationship that could have been. Take responsibility today to correct it.

Visit with your grandparents or grandkids.

Remember that your family members are just human not superhuman, reduce expectations.

Tell family members you love them. Believe it or not, many family members don't tell each other they love them. The words are never uttered. Why? What's the harm in saying those words and meaning them? Some have the excuse that their behavior shows they love their family, why should they say it.

You should say it because amazing things happen when you utter the words "I Love You". And if it's been a while since amazing things have happened in your family...it's time to say those words.

Be genuine. I'm thinking of somebody who is so cool. She wears all the right clothes, drives the right car, lives in the right neighborhood, has the perfect live and all the charisma in the world to boot. Who am I thinking of?

Answer: It really doesn't matter. We all know somebody who seemingly has a life nicer than our own. They seem to exude something we don't have and they know things we don't know. Wherever they are, the grass is greener over there.

Guess what? Somebody right now is looking over at where you are standing and thinking the grass is greener where you are. So how about just reveling in who you are. Be authentic, be genuine and celebrate all that you have and are. It's really all about the attitude.

Family Wellness Musings

“Nothing you do for children is ever wasted. They seem not to notice us, hovering, averting our eyes, and they seldom offer thanks, but what we do for them is never wasted.” - Garrison Keillor

“Good family life is never an accident but always an achievement by those who share it.” - James H.S. Bossard

“The family is one of nature's masterpieces.” - George Santayana

“No matter what you've done for yourself or for humanity, if you can't look back on having given love and attention to your own family, what have you really accomplished?” - Lee Iacocca

“Science has established two facts meaningful for human welfare: first, the foundation of the structure of human personality is laid down in early childhood; and second, the chief engineer in charge of this construction is the family.” - Meyer Francis Nimkoff

“The delight we inspire in others, has this enchanting peculiarity. That, unlike any other reflection, returns to us more radiant than ever.” - Victor Hugo (Les Miserables)

Words of Wellness Logo because when you're well...everyone wins!