Duct Tape Families
Dan SeabornHave you tried to fix a child's toy or a kitchen utensil by conventional means only to have it break five minutes later? Do you remember the last time something broke and you didn't have the right tools at the time to fix it? I've encountered both dilemmas and have turned to duct tape for fast, effective relief. I've used duct tape, just like you, for almost every problem in my life. I've sealed leaky containers, fixed an old broom, held the door closed, and even had some fun with people.But like everything in life, there are challenges even when it comes to handling duct tape. Challenges I don't like but are an inevitable part of the process. It's when you peel off a lengthy piece and just as you are about to apply it to the repair you are hoping to make, the piece of tape actually gets stuck to itself. The two sticky sides cling together like magnets and from my experience it is impossible to pull them apart. When duct tape adheres to itself, it stops being an effective tool to repair a particular item, but as a bonding product it provides an excellent example for us as to what can happen when we apply this kind of adhesiveness to our lives.
What if this year you as a family decide to apply the duct tape philosophy and stick together no matter what? There may be moments that you will feel like a boat that is springing leaks and you want to bail, but the duct tape mentality will help you stick on board. Other times the whole family may feel disjointed or someone is just tired or old and it may require a whole lot of duct tape to keep everybody intact. Of course, I'm talking about relationships. If we could decide today that we're going to stick together no matter what, I believe it would be a great benefit to our home and family life.
How do you get started? What are some stick-to-it principles for relationships that will help all of us? The first thing I recommend is to keep things fresh. Many times in relationships people can easily fall into boring doldrums. The mundane cause people to take each other for granted. We can counteract that by involving everyone in new activities. It could be walking around the neighborhood, playing a board game, or working together on a crossword puzzle. It could be agreeing to pitch in and help each other with chores.
The point is it doesn't have to be expensive or an all-day event. If it brings everyone together it will help to strengthen the bond. Every now and then I have to put a fresh piece of duct tape on an old repair. Duct tape is available now in different colors so I can really be creative! Do the same thing with relationships and keep them fresh.
A "duct tape family" should also agree to be committed to continued growth throughout the year. Relationships are similar to flowers and plants in that they require time, attention, and nourishment in order to grow and thrive. You can't just water a plant or flower once and expect it to bloom. Don't just do this idea of freshness once, do it all year long. Keep growing and flowing, sticking together like a nice roll of duct tape.
