Relationships Archives

Family rituals
What are you doing as a family that keeps you together? It can be as simple as hot dogs every Saturday afternoon and pancakes every Sunday night (that is ours – a lot of work on my side, but my boys love it). And the boys do wrestling with Dad Saturday mornings. Family rituals are the stuff we remember a few years down the line. Implement them now to ensure your children have a sense of belonging and sharing.

Mealtimes
Do you sit down for one meal a day as a family? These are crucial times to connect with your family, and have time to talk but also to teach your children table manners. “Eat with your mouth closed, the knife is on the right side, fold your napkin on your lap”. This is time to talk and reflect on our days but also provide opportunities for learning.

Mommy time
The one lasting thing I have gained over the years (and believe me, after 23 years in this field, I remain to have lots to learn) – is to take care of myself. If you are in a good space your mothering comes out positive. If you are in a bad space, your mothering comes out negative. Why is this so hard for us to do as mothers? Take time out to take care of yourself? Find your best stress reliever and keep on practising it regularly! You will be a better mother as a result!

When I reflect on my sensory intelligence journey which started in 2002, I have learned so much, and would like to share that with you. The following 5 lessons stand out for me as it contributed to our vision and mission in sensory intelligence:

1. People are complex, yet so different and unique. If we can get beyond the fact that the world does not look, sound, smell, feel and taste the same to all people, we stop judging, acquire real compassion for others and accept people for who they are. Perceptions are a combination of how your brain works, your memories and experiences and different for all of us. And that is OK, thank goodness we are not all the same. Sensory intelligence explores, manages and supports individual differences and diversity.

2. People at large are disengaged from the world. We are living in an era with more change and fast pace than ever before in history. Technology is overtaking humanity and we literally and figuratively do not stop and smell the roses anymore. This contributes to many health, relationships and workplace issues. Stress and depression are at an all-time high! Sensory intelligence goes back to basics in reconnecting with our fundamental brain-body connections to be more present and engaged.

3. Intelligence is overrated: IQ luckily is not the yardstick for success anymore – it surely helps and contributes, but it is the other intelligences (Emotional intelligence, Sensory IQ, Social IQ, etc.) which ensure individuals to be successful, balanced and resilient. Skills and competencies do not guarantee success, the key is to have good relationships skills and apply yourself in a group setting. My personal favourite of the sensory intelligence process is the relationship component – it is a powerful way to understand yourself and others in families, workgroups and social groups.

4. We all need to dream, have goals and a vision, but at the same time be prepared to be thrown off course. The key is to go with the flow, be resilient and adapt, but don’t give up on your dreams, never mind how big or small they are.

5. Mediocrity is an unnecessary evil – be passionate, make a difference! Live sensationally!

Category: Relationships

Healthy habits to build family relationships

Five lessons Sensory Intelligence® taught me

Who has benefited