WellnessWithHolli

We are having a discussion about Healthy Families. If you are new to this series, please return to  Part One Healthy Families: Is Mine Free of Entanglements? , and  Part Two Healthy Families: Is Mine Flexible? Then join us here. We are examining families as a “system.” In other words,   families are like complex moving machines   where each individual is an integral   and interdependent part to its overall level of functioning and wellbeing. Today, we move to Part Three Healthy Families: Is Mine For-Giving? Any system functions well when there is a shared mindset of For-Giving. We are not talking about the   traditional definitions of forgiveness when one party pardons, excuses, or absolves another.   We are talking about an intentional interplay between family members in which each person is responsible for the wellbeing of the system by implementing three behaviors. Families are healthy when they share a mindset of For-Giving: To Se...

We are having a discussion about Healthy Families . If you are new to this series, please return to Part One: Healthy Families - Is Mine Free of Entanglements? , and then join us here. We are examining families as a “system.” In other words,   families are like complex moving machines where each individual is an integral   and interdependent part to its overall level of functioning. Today, we move to Part Two Healthy Families: Is Mine Flexible? Flexible means to be able to change or adapt with ease. Flexible families tend to move through turbulence embracing an adaptive posture and stabilizing it in the process.  Let’s explore two areas of flexibility: Elastic Energize Elastic In defining a family system, elastic means the following: One which has the ability to stretch,    bend, or flex beyond its previously defined stasis. Read again, aloud. One which has the ability to stretch,   bend, or flex beyond its previ...

After posting a   three-part series on  Healthy Friendships and receiving positive feedback, I’m returning to the same format but this time exploring Healthy Families. There is much to be said on this topic; in fact, there are hundreds of books with tons of valuable information.   However, for our purposes we will focus on three aspects of Healthy Families: Part One: Is Mine Free of Entanglements? Part Two: Is Mine Flexible? Part Three: Is Mine For-Giving? As we get started, I’d like to share an important concept. As a Marriage & Family Therapist, when working with families I view them as a sort of working machine, based on the theory of Family Systems. In other words, a family is   made up of many moving parts (individuals). How well each part functions determines the level of functionality of the machine as a whole, much like that of a vehicle. Therefore, in addressing Healthy Families, I’d like you to think about your family as an intricate and ...