Make Your Next Family Reunion the Best One Yet

Summer is here, school is out, vacations are planned and families are gathering for that big get-together...the Family Reunion.

If your family is included in this scenario, here are some tips to ensure your next Family Reunion is the best one yet.

REMEMBER YOUR MANNERS AND BE POLITE. Yes, it counts with family, too. Being among kinfolk doesn't give you the right to be rude. Besides, some of the elders who taught you manners in the first place may be there watching you.

SOME ARE KIN...SOME ARE NOT. Guests are usually welcome, so friends, neighbors, and other non-related people are often invited to family reunions. With that being said, you need to remember that reunions also flush out members of your family that you haven't seen in years. So don't just read a name tag...find out exactly who everyone is. The last thing you want to do is hit on First-Cousin Cathy or Half-Brother Hal.

DO NOT AIR NOR SHARE FAMILY DIRTY LAUNDRY; even if it's your own family's laundry. When you see people together in a whispering huddle, you know it's not about Me-Maw's mouth-watering deviled eggs. So jump in and suggest playing a game or drag out the homemade ice cream maker...anything to distract the gossipers. And don't fret about spoiling anyone's gossipy good fun, either. There's always comfort in knowing they'll catch up on everything later, during the familiar post-reunion phone sessions.

PREPARE FOR ANIMATED ACCOUNTS OF PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS. There's no escaping this. They're as natural to reunions as ants are to cookouts; you know, a colossal pain in the butt, but expected none the less. So dispense with retorts of one-upmanship. Look at it this way; you're ALL family, so if someone happens to be doing well; you're ALL doing well.

And last but not least:

NO CRITICISMS ARE ALLOWED about the planning or organizing of the reunion. If you were on the committee...great! Then you know first-hand how much work was put into it. If you were not on the committee, then you should have been...so keep your criticisms to yourself. And before you leave, be sure to sign up to work on the next reunion committee since apparently, you think you can do better.

Reunions are about gatherings and happy times. Make it a point to keep them that way by remembering the special bond that brought you all together in the first place.

 

Creating Bliss ~ Better Living In Seven Steps

by Tammy Thomas Hopson

                            Buy CREATING BLISS Now!

            Foreword 

                by Howard "H" White

Author of  "Believe to Achieve, See the Invisible, Do the Impossible"

    "Reading Tammy Hopson's manuscript has both humbled me and given me great revelation in knowing that there are angels that walk amongst us that can guide our paths with their words of wisdom, encouragement and light that they shed on our lives. It reminds me that as children, we almost naturally have so many things that God has given us that we just take for granted. They tend to lead very blissful lives that are so happy, energetic and carefree; they are so simple and beautiful. It's always said that with a child's heart, there's no need to worry about the troubles of the day. 

    As we grow older, we come into our own problems and the realities of the world seem to set in. Our mind doesn't free us up to live happier, stronger, more carefree lives, but seems to imprison and keep us captive. In reading Tammy's work of art, it gives us a liberating freedom and steps to regain this happiness and peace that we had as children. 

    In her book, "Creating B.L.I.S.S.", Tammy, in truly a simple and yet very provocative fashion, gives us Seven Steps to gain our compass. For me, it's a North Star that can direct our path and guide us to the path that we so often seek. It's one of Happiness and Light and Truth. 

    Better Living In Seven Steps is such a powerful tool that can give us so much B.L.I.S.S. if we use it. Like any tool in our tool chest, we must take it out and use it. We need to take it to heart and like a breath of fresh air, take it deeply into our inner spirit and digest it. Take it in deeply and let it bathe your inner being and wash over your entire soul. Her words have the power to regenerate your spirits and  your faith in life again. Her words are like a battery charger for life. They have the power to recharge your life; to bring the down-hearted and down-trodden back to being full and whole and bright with light.

    In each chapter, Tammy gives you the words to bring about huge change. She not only gives you the steps to B.L.I.S.S., but she tells you, through examples in her own life that are personal and revealing, what part they've played in her own life. When someone shares their own life challenges and you can see the road that they've walked, you get a firsthand look into what true power is. When someone can say, "it's not what I believe, but it's what I've lived, and this is what it's done for my life"; When someone puts their own life on display for the world to see, and to see what personal power can do in our lives. Then she gives you your own personal workbook to keep track of your own thoughts.

    Use Tammy and her book to enhance and change and enlighten your life, your soul, your heart, and your spirit. Whether you're someone trying to get back to that state of self-awareness, happiness and an energetic live, or just trying to keep a positive outlook and well being and positive attitude, I think you're on the right track with B.L.I.S.S. Let it wash over your soul and inner being. Let this work of art give you the peace that you've searched for; just simply read it to know that you're on the right path and let it give you a mental tune up. But whatever you do, read it and take to heart its message. Take it in and let it recharge your batteries and give you a new perspective or just recharge the old ones that you have. I think that Tammy's work will give you newfound B.L.I.S.S. in seven profound, easy and doable steps. I think most things are easy; it's the doing them that's the hard part. I wish you much B.L.I.S.S. Enjoy!     

   

Howard "H" White

Author of 

"Believe to Achieve, See the Invisible, Do the Impossible"