HOW ABOUT A NEW FRAME

Several years ago I had an experience that illustrated the importance of proper framing in life.  No, I'm not referring to framing pictures. I refer to how we interpret the meaning of our experiences. Sometimes if we will consider reframing an event it can make our lives much more rich and meaningful. I was meeting with a couple as part of family therapy. The children and husband were frustrated with Mom because she complained about keeping the house clean. It was actually a little extreme. She wanted the house perfect all the time. The rest of the family wanted to relax and enjoy being home. Mom wanted a clean house to express love for her husband and kids. Mom spoke of a cherry wood coffee table in the living room. She complained of fingerprints and glass rings the family would leave on the table. She felt it was so disrespectful to her. Whenever she saw the prints or rings she felt unloved and  disrespected. I asked her to think about the table being clean, print free, ring free and that when the table was that way it meant no one was home. The house is empty, the kids are gone, she is alone. Then I asked her to think about the table with a ring or two and some fingerprints. That meant that the children are home, her family is near and the house is full of conversation and company. She found a new feeling of comfort in a few rings and prints. Consider reframing some of your experiences. Your life may be full of richness you have overlooked.