Author: system

和睦家庭第一戒：和好要在睡覺前

和睦家庭第一戒：和好要在睡覺前

撰文：舞台及電視編劇張飛帆

我家裡有一條家規，唯一的一條。「別把悲傷帶到夢裡。」這條家規在我和太太結婚前就已經訂下，直到成家立室，寶寶出生，規則一直沿用至今。

人與人相處，無論是家人好，朋友好，總會有意見不合的時候。放諸熱戀中的男女，自然也是一樣。那時候跟太太拍拖，倆小口子難免間中會擦出小風波。那時候太太就提出了一個要求：「無論我們有甚麼爭執，睡前請和解，我不想把悲傷帶進夢裡。」

作為聰明的男士，我當然聽懂了言下之意，即是「無論你錯定我錯，總之嗌交嘅話你都要喺瞓之前氹返我！」

試過有好幾次，我們爭執得臉紅耳熱，那口氣我無論如何也嚥不下肚。到了睡覺的時候，我心想，堂堂一個大男人，幾碗白飯也吃得下，怎麼一口氣嚥不下了？於是便跟太太道歉，兩口子和好如初。

有一次，兒子一夫不知犯了甚麼事，被我責罵了幾句，一整天都不肯跟我說話。起初他躲在房裡，又或者躲在媽媽身後。但每次當他經過我面前，總會偷偷的瞄我一眼，然後又躲到我看不到的地方。

如是者，睡覺的時間到了。

平常孩子們都有個習慣，不論是一夫哥哥還是諾兒妹妹，睡前都一定會興高采烈的跑過來親吻我和太太，大聲說句「Sweet dream」 、「Love you」云云。可是那一晚，一夫無論如何也不肯過來跟我說晚安。他一直黐著工人姐姐，不停嚷著要上床睡覺。

於是我走到他旁，問他：「你是不是生爸爸的氣？」

一夫點頭。

「因為爸爸今天責罵了你。」

他又點了點頭，連眼睛也紅起來了。

「我們和解好嗎？」

搖頭。

「如果爸爸向你道歉呢？」

終於，一夫哇的一聲，抱著我哭了出來，堆積了一整天的委屈如決大川。

相信大家都清楚，爭執，本來就雙方都不好受。根據一夫的形容，當他生氣的時候，心裡就像有一千條蟲蟲在爬呀爬，咬呀咬。既然如此，試問有誰願意帶著一千條蟲蟲到睡夢裡呢？

其實一夫根本也渴望和解，只是礙於面子，也不懂得抒發自己的感受。

我跟一夫說：「爸爸和媽媽有個約定，就是無論我們有甚麼爭執，睡覺前都要和解！」

因為我們都不應讓愛的人帶著眼淚到夢裡，不是嗎？

3项每位家长都能做到的家庭教育

Three Family Education Practices Every Parent Can Implement

Written by: Founder & Volunteer Director of Good Love Passion　

　　　        Lam Ho Pui Yee

People often have different views on “family education.” Some may say that family education is the education provided within the family or the integration of family and education. If you believe that family education involves raising children and teaching them the principles of life, then congratulations! You already have a fairly accurate understanding of family education. Here are three important and easily achievable family education practices for your reference:

 

1. Engage in Conversations at the Dinner Table

If parents tend to educate or reprimand their children at the dinner table, it can lead to feelings of sadness and digestive issues in the child. Many parents also enjoy watching TV while eating, which not only distracts the child but can also cause indigestion. The valuable “conversations” and “laughter” in family life can reduce stress and create a harmonious atmosphere of mutual trust and happiness. Starting today, please put down your phones, stop browsing the internet during meals, and sincerely enjoy a meal with your family.

 

2. Engage in Conversations at the Dinner Table

If parents tend to educate or reprimand their children at the dinner table, it can lead to feelings of sadness and digestive issues in the child. Many parents also enjoy watching TV while eating, which not only distracts the child but can also cause indigestion. The valuable “conversations” and “laughter” in family life can reduce stress and create a harmonious atmosphere of mutual trust and happiness. Starting today, please put down your phones, stop browsing the internet during meals, and sincerely enjoy a meal with your family.

 

3. Provide Positive Role Modeling

When parents react with panic and uncertainty to unexpected events, their children will likely respond in the same way when faced with difficulties in the future. If parents remain calm and composed in such situations, their children will learn to handle challenges with poise. This positively contributes to the development of the child’s psychological resilience. Parental role modeling profoundly influences children; all parents should strive to provide a clear and accurate reflection, helping their children develop a positive self-image.

Family education encompasses the physical and mental development of family members at different life stages, as well as the cultivation of attitudes and emotional lives. Families that frequently resort to corporal punishment or coercive discipline may raise children with low self-esteem or timid personalities. Conversely, families that indulge their children and allow them to govern themselves may produce children with arrogance and unreasonable behavior. Under the guidance of correct, positive, and loving family education, children can develop good character, establish correct values, and achieve holistic development that emphasizes a positive attitude towards life and appreciation for existence.

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Parents Zone

如何提升小朋友詞彙量？ 日常生活中必做2大方法！

Children’s Vocabulary? 2 Essential Methods to Implement in Daily Life!

Source: Speech Therapist Mom Miss Carley

Vocabulary skills can be divided into two categories: expressive and receptive. Expressive vocabulary refers to the words that children can say, while receptive vocabulary refers to the words that children can understand when they hear or see them.

Generally, children have a larger receptive vocabulary than expressive vocabulary. For example, a one-year-old child can say about five words, such as “Daddy,” “Mommy,” “Grandma,” “street,” and “ball.” However, they can understand more words than they can express. For instance, if a parent says, “Where is the light?” the child may be able to point to it. They can also understand questions like “Do you want a bun?” or “Are you drinking milk?” and phrases like “Let’s go to the street.”

Expressive Vocabulary Levels by Age:

  • 1 year: Can say some single words.

  • 1.5 years: About fifty words; can use some single words to form short sentences.

  • 2 years: Can reach two hundred to three hundred words.

3 years: About five hundred to one thousand expressive words.

In fact, the way and amount of time parents converse with their children daily is directly related to the children’s vocabulary development. So, how can we enhance children’s vocabulary in daily life?

Method 1: Stimulating Language Environment

During infancy and toddlerhood, parents should engage in more conversations, play parent-child games, and sing songs to encourage interaction. In the process, parents can try to use different types of vocabulary to describe their children’s actions. For instance, when a child is playing with a toy car, instead of just saying the noun, “Yes, that’s a car,” parents might also add adjectives, saying, “Yes, this car is red and very big.” They can also use verbs, saying, “Ah! You are driving the car,” or “You are sitting in the car.” Additionally, using locational words like “Now the car is on the table…under the table” can expose children to a variety of vocabulary and help them express themselves better.

Method 2: Aligning with Children’s Interests

If a child enjoys reading, engaging in parent-child reading can introduce many new words. Furthermore, parents can describe the events happening around them based on their child’s abilities and interests. For example, at the supermarket, parents might say, “These are bananas and apples.” When in the car, they can talk about the scenery outside.

If the child has the ability, parents can also describe events that happened earlier, such as, “This morning we played at the park and kicked a soccer ball,” allowing the child to use more vocabulary related to past experiences.

如何協助孩子分清「需要」定「想要」？學理財從「身教」開始

如何協助孩子分清「需要」定「想要」？學理財從「身教」開始

撰文：認可兒童財商導師Miranda Lee

成長在疫情下的孩子，既不能外出上學，就連上街購物的機會也少了，不少家長們也擔心孩子在成長的旅程上好像有點缺失，苦惱怎樣為家中的孩子們提供「心靈」補充品。

最近朋友提及，她的8歲女兒原來已經學會自己網購，前陣子更在網上書店一口氣購買了很多文具和書本，並利用父母網上支付平台付款。購買過程中，女兒原本只想選購兩本故事書，但被不斷彈出的廣告和優惠吸引著，不自覺地選購了很多額外「想要」物品。

的確，大人偶爾也會「想要症發作」，被產品的外表及廣告誘惑，形成衝動消費，對於理財觀念較弱的小朋友，更易誤以為網購「零負擔」，只要由父母電子支付，一切就如「想要就有」的消費模式。

如何培養正確的消費習慣？

研究發現，父母對金錢的態度及理財的習慣，都直接影響孩子的理財觀，所以「身教」相當重要，平日不妨讓孩子多觀察自己消費過程，體驗父母如何面對「想要」的誘惑，購物前先問自己三條問題：例如是否物有所值，是否已有相類似，是否經常使用到等等，當自己已經心中有數，自然可以避免衝動消費。

為了寓購物於學習，我會先讓孩子選購自己所需物品，付款時，就是教導孩子「理財」的好時機。重新讓他們檢視購物車內那些是「需要」的，考慮物品的價值和實用性，提醒「想要」雖可以滿足慾望，但是否「需要」立即購買，並要由自己零用錢負擔，直接讓他們從錢包裡拿出金錢來結賬。這樣，孩子便變得謹慎，立即思前想後，掙扎「買與不買」，苦惱之情相當搞笑。所以鼓勵小朋友使用實體金錢，明白東西是要用錢買回來，不能隨便浪費。

父母對金錢的運用，是孩子建立理財觀的一面鏡。所以以身作則十分重要，好好善用生活中的契機。所謂「想要」是無窮無盡，金錢卻是有限，我們消費前必須三思，分辨「需要」和「想要」，量入為出。特別在疫情下，讓孩子學會感恩和知足，才是給孩子一生受用的理財智慧。

價值觀教育——同理心

撰文：卓王詠詩博士

最近，天氣不穩定，經常落雨。我在等巴士期間，遇見一班中學生排隊上車，赫然發現有一位女同學沒有帶遮，非常狼狽，我連忙與她分享我的雨傘。他們是穿着同一學校的校服，可能彼此不太認識，但看見同校同學如此狼狽，為何沒有一位同學願意跟她分享雨傘？這令我想起從小建立同理心的重要性。

1. 同理心為基礎

美國心理學家丹尼爾‧高曼（Daniel Goleman），他在《EQ II：工作EQ》一書中指出，處理人際關係的能力即是以同理心為基礎，可以試著從察覺他人需要及關心對方的看法等原則為出發點，了解他人觀點，認知他人情緒與回應對方的感受，同時提高個人的同理心。意即同理心強，人際關係比較好，相反亦然。

2. 認知他人情緒

透過換位思考，體會他人情緒和想法，才能站在他人角度理解與處理問題。我們要從小教育兒童先認識自己的情緒，亞洲人的社區較為內斂，除了開心不開心以外，還有很多不同的情緒。從小向兒童灌輸情緒沒有好壞之分，卻有適當及不適當的處理情緒方法。例：可以憤怒，憤怒時可以向人傾訴，但憤怒時打人便是不恰當。從小認識自己的情緒，也會較容易體會他人的情緒，慢慢培養同理心。

3. 察覺他人需要

處於密集的香港，各人也很忙碌，經常垂下頭打手機，較少留意身邊人和事。兒童從小認識自己及他人的情緒有助長大後察覺及敏感於他人的需要。

筆者相信小朋友從小培養同理心非常重要。最近教育局提倡價值觀教育，當中包括：同理心。各人從小培養理解他人的感受及需要，設身處地明白他人，世界將會變得更美好。

參考書籍：

丹尼爾.高曼(1998) 《EQ 2: 工作EQ 》時報文化出版企業股份有限公司

比賽只有壓力？3大好處幫小朋友變內心強大

 

Is Competition Just Stress? 3 Major Benefits to Help Children Build Inner Strength

 

I believe all parents have heard the term “glass heart,” and no one wants their children to have a “glass heart.” Whether they are just starting school or entering the workforce, everyone faces various levels of competition. If they don’t know how to cope, it can lead to mental and physical exhaustion, even affecting personal development. Allowing children to participate in competitions based on their interests and willingness offers many benefits:

1. Learning to Follow Rules

Every competition or competitive game has its own set of rules that must be followed, such as arriving on time and adhering to size specifications for submitted work. These experiences teach children the importance of following rules. Parents can also explain why these rules exist, such as fairness in size specifications and convenience with deadlines.

2. Learning to Express Themselves

 

Not every child is born with a strong desire to perform or is accustomed to showcasing their talents. Children who participate in competitions can boost their confidence by observing the behavior of other children and responding to the cheers and encouragement from the audience, learning to be more willing to express themselves.

3. Learning to Face Winning and Losing

In any competitive situation, whether it’s a competition or a game, there will always be winners and losers, and often there is only one champion. When a child achieves victory, parents can provide appropriate encouragement to maintain their enthusiasm for the activity and the competition. This is also a good opportunity to teach children to express gratitude to the staff, teammates, and friends who supported them during the competition.

 

Even if they unfortunately lose, parents can accompany their children through feelings of disappointment, helping them understand that even in failure, there are valuable lessons to be learned for next time. They should realize that losing a competition does not mean they gained nothing. More importantly, it’s essential to reflect on the experience of failure and prepare for the next opportunity.

能力與興趣 是生涯規劃的兩大變數

Ability and interest are the two major variables in career planning

 

Written by: Registered Educational Psychologist, Mr. Pang Chi-wah

As Hong Kong shifted from industrial to service-oriented industries, the constant turnover of societal sectors has left many youths feeling extremely helpless about their future prospects. Some young individuals are unsure of what they want or what career path to pursue. If they choose the wrong subjects in secondary school or university, it adds more confusion to their future. Recognizing this, the education sector has begun to emphasize students’ career planning.

 

Youthful years are invaluable, and time is a precious resource. In our growth process, engaging in career planning is akin to a national investment. However, the investment made by young individuals is not monetary but temporal. Where should they allocate this time?

 

When young individuals engage in career planning, the key consideration regarding time allocation revolves around their personal interests and abilities. Ability refers to what a person can do, which can be objectively assessed or evaluated and compared with the requirements of a job to determine compatibility.

 

Interest is more subjective, rooted in personal feelings or desires, sometimes challenging to assess objectively due to individual differences. Young people’s interests may be influenced by their family background, learning experiences, and social environment, and can be understood through personal interviews.

Considering students’ abilities and interests, the two major variables in their career planning can be categorized into four groups:

 

Category One:

These students may lack the ability or interest, or choose subjects and careers they have no ability or interest in, leading to a painful future. Even though they may currently lack specific interests or abilities, it doesn’t mean they never will. Therefore, it is crucial for family members and teachers to help them discover their interests and abilities starting now.

The solution to this issue is to explore different areas. Schools can collaborate with various industries to establish long-term partnerships, allowing students to intern or learn in these organizations. Through these activities, schools can help students better understand the industries they may face in the future and discover their interests and abilities. Simultaneously, this can reduce their sense of helplessness and confusion when entering society.

Category Two:

These students have interests but lack sufficient ability. They might be interested in certain subjects or careers but have a noticeable gap in their learning abilities. For example, a student might aspire to be a doctor after watching a movie and saving lives, yet their science grades are poor. Or they may wish to be a teacher, educating the next generation, but their speaking or language skills are lacking. Perhaps these students can improve through hard work to bridge the gap between their interests and abilities, but they must be prepared for the significant pressure they may face in the future.

Getting involved and participating hands-on can dispel misconceptions students may have about certain industries due to media or family influence. For instance, a psychiatrist in a movie might seem to earn a substantial income by simply talking to patients. While this appears to be an excellent job, in reality, it involves extensive paperwork, analysis, and diagnosis after conversing with patients. Visits and internships can allow them to truly experience the career path they envision and determine if it aligns with their interests. Therefore, in career planning, time should be invested in various visits and experiences to validate their planned career path.

 

Category Three:

These students have the ability but lack interest in sustaining it. Contrary to Category Two students, these individuals are often driven by their academic performance in selecting subjects or careers. For instance, excelling in mathematics might lead them to pursue accounting in university, or proficiency in languages might lead them to study linguistics and become a teacher. However, they may realize they have chosen paths where they have the ability but lack interest, potentially leading to a lack of motivation or persistence in the future.

The external environment, such as family or school, can also influence the development of interests in these students. For example, a student may aspire to be an artist, possessing talent and a strong interest, but in a society like Hong Kong that prioritizes commerce, opportunities for artistic development may be limited, dampening their interest. Therefore, teachers and social workers need to have a keen understanding of different industries’ characteristics and create a stimulating atmosphere to nurture students’ interests.

Category Four:

These students have found careers they are interested in and have the ability to study or delve into. Their career planning direction is clear, allowing them to progress towards a specific goal more easily. However, while these students may have identified their abilities and interests, they still need a good learning attitude to continue developing and truly succeed.

Although Category Four is the most ideal combination, few students can achieve this early on. It is essential to make students understand that career planning involves a growth process, a gradual transformation from one category to another through continuous learning and experience in the journey of life.

價值觀教育——同理心

Essay on Values Education (Empathy)

by Dr. Cheuk Wong Wing Sze

 

Recently, with the unstable weather and frequent rain, I encountered a group of high school students waiting in line for the bus. To my surprise, one female student was without an umbrella, looking very disheveled. Quickly, I shared my umbrella with her. They were all in the same school uniform, possibly not well-acquainted with each other, yet seeing a fellow student in such a state, I wondered why no one else was willing to share their umbrella with her. This incident reminded me of the importance of fostering empathy from a young age.

 

1. Empathy as the Foundation

American psychologist Daniel Goleman, in his book “Working with Emotional Intelligence,” points out that the ability to handle interpersonal relationships is based on empathy. By trying to perceive the needs of others and caring about their perspectives, one can understand their viewpoints, recognize their emotions, respond to their feelings, and enhance their own empathy. In essence, stronger empathy leads to better interpersonal relationships, and vice versa.

 

2. Recognizing Others’ Emotions

Through perspective-taking, understanding others’ emotions and thoughts is essential for empathizing and problem-solving from their standpoint. It is crucial to educate children from a young age to first recognize their own emotions. In Asian communities, emotions are often more reserved, with a wide range beyond just happy or sad. Teaching children that emotions are neither good nor bad but have appropriate and inappropriate ways of handling them is vital. For instance, it’s okay to feel angry, and when angry, expressing it to someone is acceptable, but resorting to violence is not. Understanding one’s emotions from a young age facilitates empathy towards others and gradually nurtures empathy.


3. Perceiving Others’ Needs

In the bustling city of Hong Kong, where everyone is occupied, people often have their heads down engrossed in their phones, paying less attention to those around them. Teaching children to recognize their emotions and those of others from a young age helps them become more sensitive to the needs of others as they grow up.

I firmly believe that cultivating empathy in children from a young age is crucial. Recently, the Education Bureau has been advocating values education, which includes empathy. By fostering understanding of others’ feelings and needs from a young age, empathizing with others and putting oneself in their shoes, the world can become a better place.

 

Reference:

Daniel Goleman (1998). “Working with Emotional Intelligence.” Times Publishing Limited.

 

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兒童深近視 家長勿懶理 越睇越矇 窒礙學業與成長

兒童深近視 家長勿懶理 越睇越矇 窒礙學業與成長

香港兒童因為近視而需要佩戴眼鏡的情況十分普遍。由於近視問題可影響兒童生活及學習，作為父母更需懂得如何應對，並及早帶子女求醫以控制近視加深，避免近視問題惡化。有醫生提醒家長，日常生活中可從細節上多加留意小朋友的視力有否異常，如有需要，可透過控制近視的眼藥水或配置合適的眼鏡，矯正視力，如果兒童已有深近視，更需密切跟進。

港怡醫院眼科名譽顧問醫生陳迅傑表示，「深近視」是指600度以上的近視問題︰「眼球拉得越長，近視就越深。人的眼球大約22至25毫米長，每長1毫米，近視可能會加深大約300度，如果近視達800度或以上，出現併發症的風險將會增加，例如白內障、青光眼、視網膜脫落等，針對小朋友深近視問題，父母首要工作是避免其度數持續加深，否則對成長各方面的影響都可以十分長遠。」

從細節觀察兒童有否近視跡象

不過，兒童常常有近視而不自知，只會覺得看東西不清楚，未必會宣之於口。陳醫生提醒家長，多從子女日常生活細節觀察︰「看看小朋友會否經常瞇著雙眼、走近電視，或經常心不在焉。最常見是上學時無法看到黑板，抄寫功課較慢或出錯，甚至連學業成績也會下滑。」他建議家長定時與學校老師溝通，了解子女的學習情況，從而儘早識別視力問題。

要延緩小朋友近視加深，最重要是養成良好的生活習慣。陳醫生舉例，看東西時，物件儘量距離視線30厘米，並且切勿躺著或在昏暗處看書、玩手機。此外，小朋友做功課時，光線處理也非常重要，如果子女使用右手寫字，燈光應置於左上方。他補充，小朋友在3、4歲時已有一定的表達能力，便可作定期視力檢查，平日飲食也要注重均衡營養，多吃含有維他命A食物補充身體所需。

改善生活習慣 控制近視

若然小朋友的近視問題已深到影響生活及學習，父母可因應狀況，讓子女接受適當治療。陳醫生說有4種控制近視加深的方法，第1種是使用「近視控制眼藥水」，此眼藥水以低濃度劑量控制近視，適合兒童使用，每日一次，惟這絕非「靈丹妙藥」，用藥後仍然需要透過改善生活習慣，或佩戴眼鏡等方法，矯正視力。家長亦可考慮子女實際情況，向專業人士了解應否使用混合方案，透過近視控制眼藥水及佩戴離焦眼鏡相輔相成。

第2種方法是佩戴離焦眼鏡，透過把影像置於視網膜前方，藉此減慢近視患者的眼軸生長。第3及第4種方法是佩戴離焦隱形眼鏡（硬鏡）或（軟鏡），這類隱形眼鏡一般分為硬鏡（夜間使用）及軟鏡（日間使用），一般建議7歲以上的小朋友使用。硬鏡必須每日清潔，而軟鏡則需每日更換，否則或會增加細菌感染的風險。

陳醫生說，曾有一名6歲兒童近視達200度，但家長認為可讓他再過數年才戴眼鏡，但這段時間兒童的視力一直下降，連學習也構成影響。他勸喻家長，如果小朋友有近視，應儘早作出改善，「太早戴眼鏡對小朋友不好」只是個錯誤觀念。

*備註：

陳醫生提醒，應對減慢近視加深有多種不同方案，各有不同成效、副作用及風險，家長應與醫生討論，按子女身體狀況及實際視力問題等，選擇最適合的治療方案。

愛在家內暖

Love Warms at Home

Written by: Principal Cheung Jok Fong, Education expert


Have you ever heard the theme song “Embrace Love” from a certain TV series? I really like some of the lyrics, which simply yet powerfully convey the essence of “home”: home is a place that “shelters from wind and rain”, your “shield” that will always “open its door” when you are “weary”. The “love” mentioned refers to the familial love that is destined from the moment you were born – a bond thicker than water. Indeed, what could be more important than family love? When you are down on your luck, your family will share your worries, listen to your woes, and accompany you through the difficult times; when you are ill, your family will care for you unconditionally; when you succeed in your studies or career, they will rejoice wholeheartedly and feel proud of your accomplishments. This kind of “love” is something that money cannot buy.


This year, our school has chosen “family” as the main theme, hoping to help parents and students appreciate the preciousness of family love. Unfortunately, this love may be taken for granted, as we are born into it, and hence some people fail to cherish it. Sometimes, we see from the news that some youths would rather loiter on the streets than return home; some families are embroiled in constant bickering, turning home into a battleground; some people even resort to violence against their own family members over trivial matters, leading to bloodshed. These are just the tip of the iceberg – it is truly saddening to see a good home deteriorate in such a way.


Three Phrases to Say More Often at Home


How can we build a harmonious family? Pope Francis, when discussing family life, proposed the “three family phrases”, which are the three phrases we should say more often at home: “thank you”, “may I”, and “I’m sorry”. “Thank you” expresses gratitude to family members. Often, children take the care provided by their parents for granted. But think about it – do parents have to prepare three meals a day for you? Who washes your clothes and shoes, giving you a more hygienic living environment? When you are sick, who tenderly cares for you, even getting up at night to feed you medicine? Schoolmates, while your parents are caring for you, why not say “thank you” more often? When you have the chance, you can also help your parents with household chores, sharing their workload. In fact, when children help with household tasks, parents can also say “thank you” to them. Nowadays, it is no longer appropriate for elders to adopt a superior attitude. Everyone has a responsibility in building a harmonious family – do not assume that certain tasks are the sole responsibility of certain family members. Even when receiving help from family members, a simple “thank you” can go a long way.

“Please” represents respect for family members and polite behavior towards others. Some may think that since they are family, they do not need to be too polite and can just speak directly. However, “please” not only reminds us to speak politely, but also to consider the feelings of our family members. Sometimes, people get into heated arguments over trivial matters, believing that they should fight for what is right, even with their own family. But is that really worth it? As the saying goes, “You may have won the battle, but lost the family.” Even with family, it is still better to be more cautious with our words.


As for “I’m sorry,” it represents seeking forgiveness from family members. When we have done something wrong, we should have the courage to take responsibility and say “I’m sorry” to those we have hurt. At the same time, “I’m sorry” also represents an opportunity to mend relationships with our family. Sometimes, it is not easy to determine who is right or wrong, or there may not even be a clear right or wrong, but just differences in values. Many conflicts arise from this very reason. If everyone refuses to compromise, the relationship will become very strained. As the saying goes, “Take a step back, and the world will be wide open.” Letting go of one’s ego does not mean one has to surrender or compromise on the issue, but rather creates a new opportunity to solve the problem in a better way.


Both in China and abroad, the concept of “family” is highly valued. God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18) God has arranged for us to grow up in different groups, and the first group is our family. As for Confucius, he greatly valued filial piety, believing it to be the foundation of being a good person and a scholar. Let us all start practicing the “Three Phrases of Family Life” from today, and build a harmonious and beautiful family together.