The FIRM Principle Part 2
“A family is a place where principles are hammered and honed on the anvil of everyday living.” – Chuck Swindoll
The first part of the FIRM Principle is the word Familiarity. The things that are familiar to us are those we experience every day. They are the experiences and values that are a regular part of our life. These are not the unusual or odd event but those that are common. The familiar is there in everyone’s life. Good or bad, helpful or hurtful it is our every day experiences that shape who we are.
A CONSISTENT LIFE
The life lessons that influence the lives of our children and those around us are not those that come once in a while or at times of testing and difficulties. It is how we live every day before those we love and connect with. When faced with a problem, it is not how you deal with that one event but how you face all problems that will influence a child. Nothing is more unsettling than a person whose mood changes all the time. You don’t know if they will blow up at any minute or fall apart at the next challenge. Those who we are trying to teach need to see that we are stable and consistent.
EVERYDAY MIRACLES
Success-Minded People develop a positive attitude toward life. They are hopeful at all times and know that there is always an answer to the challenges they face. As author Elizabeth David said “Everyday holds the possibility of a miracle.” When the people whom you influence see this quality in you on regular bases they begin to understand that this is how they should be. The same is true on the negative side.
WHAT WE BECOME
Have you ever noticed how people who grew up with unstable or harsh parents become unstable and harsh themselves? Here is a hard truth: We become like those who influence us the most. Even those we deeply dislike and swear we will never be like. To us, that behavior, good or bad, is what we know to be true, it is familiar to us. By being an example of excellence and success every day you can influence a life for the good. You hold more power than you think. You may be the only example of success and godliness that some may have. You can give hope that there is a better way to live. I like what author Sarah Ban Breathach said, “An authentic life is the most personal form of worship. Everyday life has become my prayer.”
BE THE EXAMPLE
The important thing to remember here is that Success-Minded People do not live lives of excellence once in a while they live it every day. Yes we all have a bad day from time to time and we all fall short of what we think excellence is, but that is not an excuse for not trying. Being human is not a handicap that you have to deal with. You are God’s greatest creation. You have power to live as you know you should and no one or nothing can take that from you. When people ask if it is possible to live in victory every day, let them look at you and say, “Yes it is.”
© 2011 John Patrick Hickey
