How to live happily ever after

YOU will agree with me that most fairytales will end with the couple living 'happily ever after'. In these modern days, some persons would swear on their grandmother's grave that happily ever after is improbable, if not impossible. Some refuse to believe that people can indeed live happily ever after, maybe because from childhood it has been ingrained in their psyche that living happily ever after is more a fantasy than a reality.

Call me unrealistic if you please, but if the truth be known, I still believe that living happily ever after does not have to be a fantasy. All you have to do is to resolve that it will be, and then work to make it happen. If you resolve to adhere to the following tips, it should become much easier for you to experience the joy of living happily ever after. Note that you do not have to wait for a new year to put these tips into practice.

*If you want to live happily ever after: Resolve to be a better person, a better husband, a better wife, or a better family member. Do all that you can to contribute to your happiness, and to the happiness of your loved ones. If you must go the extra mile do not hesitate, just go.

* If you want to live happily ever after: Resolve to change your annoying habits. No one is perfect; we all have our flaws and irritating idiosyncrasies. Take an inward look to find out what it is about you that your spouse, children or family members just cannot stand. When you find out what that is, work on changing it. If you really want to change an annoying habit, you will.

* If you want to live happily ever after: Resolve to pull your weight around the home. It can be very distasteful and frustrating to live with a lazy person, one who refuses to contribute to the smooth running of the affairs of the home. If you are lazy, pledge to be more helpful and industrious.

* If you want to live happily ever after: Resolve that you will admit when you are wrong, and learn when to say "I'm sorry".

* If you want to live happily ever after: Resolve to make your words be like apples of gold in pictures of silver, (Proverbs 25:11). A soft answer turns away wrath but grievous words stir up anger (Prov. 15:1).

* If you want to live happily ever after: Resolve that you will schedule family time for your loved ones and you will write it in your diary. Put it on your calendar. When the date arrives, honour it.

* If you want to live happily ever after: Resolve to write a motto for your home and make sure that everyone in the family knows what the motto says. The motto could read something like this: "The motto of our home is to ensure that we work together, not only for our own happiness, but for the happiness of every family member in this household".

In spite of what you resolve to do, if you really want to live happily ever after, make God the centre of your home. He is the source of all our happiness.

Jacqueline Champier is a counselling psychologist from Mandeville.