At the second Meeting of Catholic Influencers: Evangelizing the “Digital Continent,” Mar Dorrio shared profound reflections on what makes a perfect family. Inspired by “Anna Karenina,” Mar explored the characteristics that distinguish families who know how to live in harmony and wisdom.
Family Wisdom
Mar describes good families as those who know where the true treasures are and do not worry about trivialities. These families can advise wisely and are valued by those around them.
Intelligence and Reality
Good families do not get carried away by victim narratives. Instead, they face reality with intelligence, always seeking to improve their situation. An example of this is how they address daily challenges without falling into victimhood.
Strength and Demand
A wise family understands what is perfect and bad. Mar shared an example about managing cell phone use in teenagers, highlighting the importance of having clear boundaries to protect children.
Humility and Help
These families also know when to ask for help. They recognize that they cannot do everything alone and are willing to seek support when needed. This humility is one of the keys to their strength.
The Importance of the Holy Spirit
Mar highlighted the importance of being in God’s grace to listen to the Holy Spirit. She compared this grace to having “the tickets to heaven in your pocket,” which allows for clear and constant guidance in daily life.
Anecdotes and Reflections
Mar shared several personal anecdotes that illustrate how the Holy Spirit has guided her in difficult situations. One of them was about her teenage daughter and the challenge of setting boundaries with love and wisdom.
Anecdote of the Holy Spirit and Her Daughter’s Wardrobe
One of the most impactful stories Mar shared was about her teenage daughter and her wardrobe. Her daughter had prepared an outfit for school and asked Mar if she thought she looked pretty. Mar said yes, but commented that the skirt was a little short. This provoked an angry reaction from her daughter, who defended herself by saying that Mar had also worn a miniskirt in her youth.
That night, Mar asked the Holy Spirit for help in handling the situation appropriately. The next day, she approached her daughter, hugged her, and asked her if she liked the cakes she made. Surprised, her daughter replied yes. Mar then asked her if she preferred the old recipe, which sometimes didn’t turn out right, or the new recipe, which always turned out perfectly. Her daughter understood the message without further explanation: experience and wisdom were valuable and applicable to the subject of clothing as well.
This anecdote shows how the Holy Spirit can provide the wisdom and the right words to handle difficult situations in raising children.
The Family as a Refuge
Good families create homes where love and generosity prevail over strict justice. In these homes, each member feels valued and loved, which fosters an environment of peace and personal growth.
The Power of Example
Mar emphasized that living according to God’s commandments not only benefits the family, but also serves as an example for society. Good families are beacons of hope and stability in an often chaotic world.
Education and Training
Education in these families focuses on strong values. Mar explained how wisdom and piety are taught and lived on a daily basis, preparing children to face life with high self-esteem and strong morals.
Good families are those that live according to the principles of wisdom, intelligence, strength and humility. This approach not only creates happy and healthy homes, but also prepares children to live without fear and with high self-esteem. Mar invites us to reflect on our own families and strive to live according to these principles in order to build a truly happy and wise home.
