Family Counsels

Communication. Most people think they are great at communicating when maybe...they really aren't.

Now, don't get me wrong. Some people are good communicators. But for the most part, we all have areas that we could improve in. I did a little research and here are some things i found could be helpful for all of us to do. 

1. Be clear with your concerns or desires.

2. Listen to the other persons side sincerely 

3. Be open-minded

4. Respect other people

5. Be confident

Obviously these things take practice, and they aren't always easy. But they are possible. There is a process whenever we are having a conversation with another person. First the sender things and feels what he wants to get across. Then he encodes it into a message and then sends it through a source of media (verbal, texting, writing, and even body language). Then the receiver Decodes the message and the sends back a response and so on and so forth. 

This process happens in families on a daily basis. Many times messages are decoded and encoded in unclear ways and messages are misinterpreted. There is something families can do to help each other understand one another and help lead them to all be on the same page. That something is Family Counsels.  Family counsels give each family individual chances to speak their mind and for the family to come to a consensus, or a unified decision.  When a family counsel is done well, communication in a family can be improved greatly.

Now you might be wondering how to hold an effective Family counsel, and don't worry, I won't leave you hanging.  There are a few necessary things that go into effective family counsels.

1. Express love to one another

2. Start with a Prayer - invite the spirit

3. Discuss matters - Consensus

4. End with a prayer - confirm that its the Lords will

As we follow these guidelines for family counsels, and as we implement the communication skills mentioned earlier, we will be able to feel greater unity in our families.