Raising a family is a sacred gift from God, so it is important that we take time to nourish and not take this sacred institution for granted. Families are more than just a group of people living in a house and sitting on the same table to dine. However, amidst the squabbles of every day life — mealtimes, works, commutes, homework’s — you name it — we tend to neglect to truly connect with each other.

What would it feel like if we step back for a moment, slow down and do less so that we can really reconnect with our family?

If you’re a parent it may help if you start with self-care. Forget the pile of laundry for a moment or the stack of papers on your desk at work, give yourself a break. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so take care of yourself. Take time to fill yourself with energy so that you can actually give more not only to your family but also to your community.

For a child, a teen, or a young adult, maybe a time off from all the pinging electronics would be all you need to really reconnect with your parents, your siblings, or even yourself.

When we take some time off from all the things that’s eating our time and attention on a daily basis, we can develop appreciation of the things that truly matter — a simple conversation with the family, a walk in the park, a playful moment with our pet, and a simple prayer to God.

I know that hitting on the breaks when we’re surrounded with the demands of everyday life is never easy, but a timely break is essential for us to nurture ourselves, our relationship with our family, with others, and with God.