In a quaint little suburb in the outskirts of the Nation's Capital, Port Moresby. The Oa family lived in a cozy house filled with laughter and love. Yet, like any family, they faced their share of misunderstandings. It was a sunny Saturday morning when they decided to hold a family meeting, hoping to strengthen their bond and ensure respect was at the forefront of their daily lives.
As they gathered in the living room, the parents, Arua and Oa, explained that they wanted to create a culture of respect where everyone's feelings and opinions mattered. They shared how important it was to listen actively and communicate openly.
"Let's start by sharing what respect means to each of us." Arua suggested. One by one, the family members expressed their thoughts. Eleven-year-old Tania said, "Respect means valuing what each of us has to say, even if we don't always agree." Thirteen-year-old Mat added, "It's about being kind and understanding,even when things get tough."
Encouraged by their responses, Oa proposed a "Respect Jar"- like listening without interrupting or helping each other out- they could add a marble to the jar. Once it was full, they could celebrate with a family outing.
Over the next few weeks, the Oas focused on practicing respect daily. They created a "no interrupting" rule during dinner, which allowed everyone to share their stories from the day. They also made it a point to ask for each other's opinions on decisions,from what movie to watch to how to spend their weekends.
One evening,Mat had a tough day at school and came home feeling upset. Instead of brushing him off, Tania approached him. "Do you want to talk about it?" She asked gently. Mat, surprised by her kindness, opened up. Their parents Oa and Arua overheard and praised Tania for her empathy, reinforcing the family's commitment to respect.
As the weeks passed,the Respect Jar began to fill with marbles, each representing a moment of kindness or understanding. The family found joy in their small victories, recognizing how far they'd come.
From that moment on, respect became their guiding principle. The Oas learned that it was not just a word but a way of life that brought them closer together. Each member of the family understood that respect was continuous journey, one that required effort and commitment, and they embraced it wholeheartedly.
And so, in their cozy little home, respect flourished, turning their family into a strong, loving unit that faced life challenges together, day by day. Every individual member of the family has worked hard to earn the respect and now they have won it to be respected. Because they deserved it, living a happy respectful family.
