“Grasp the subject, the words will follow.” (Cato the Elder)

When people first encounter the concept of ScreamFree living, they often ask for a recipe. “Just tell me the steps to follow, and then I can do it.” This is understandable; it’s also impossible.

Here’s why: everyone — kids, parents, spouses, co-workers — is unique. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, no silver bullet, no perfect recipe for resolving relational tension. Anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to sell you something.

Maybe we should all just relax a bit and take some time to understand the principles of ScreamFree living. It’s a different way of viewing the world. Jumping into “What do I do?” before you marinate in “Who should I be?” sells yourself short. If you were to focus on grasping the principles, you won’t have to try so hard to say and do all the right things. You’ll begin to see your unhealthy and unhelpful patterns. Others will look less like problems to solve and more like people to love.

Once that happens, just about any words will do.