Mission for Happy Home

Tiny Celebrations for Everyday Joys

“Congratulations” is a word we use to share in someone’s joy and good fortune. We hear it often on special occasions—birthdays, weddings, promotions, school admissions, and graduations. But if we take a closer look at our everyday lives, we’ll notice countless small moments that are worth celebrating too. Like getting a great deal on something you needed. Or reaching the crosswalk just in time for the light to turn green. Bringing an umbrella on the exact day it rains. Finishing an entire book. Finding your favorite dish served at lunch. Finally recovering from a cold . . . Wouldn’t it be lovely to exchange a small congrats for these tiny wins too? This month, try sharing these tiny celebrations with…

Cheering on Our Family!

Life is a lot like a marathon. Just as a runner keeps moving toward the finish line without stopping, we too live each day continuously, carried forward by the flow of time. And for marathon runners, nothing is more empowering than the cheers of the crowd. Even when they are breathless or feel as though their legs might give out, applause and words of encouragement give them strength they didn’t know they had. In the same way, each member of your family is running their own race—working hard to complete the course set before them. So cheer them on with all your heart. Wish them happiness, support their dreams, and encourage them in both their daily efforts and long-term goals.…

Start the Year With Words of Blessing

When a new year begins, people often exchange words of blessing. In Korea, these are called deokdam—words that express wishes for another’s happiness and prosperity. Since ancient times, Koreans have believed that words carry power—that what we speak can come to pass. From this belief, the tradition of sharing deokdam was born. Because deokdam is meant to uplift and bring joy, it should be spoken sincerely, not merely out of habit. When words are offered with genuine warmth, their power to encourage becomes even greater. This month, share heartfelt deokdam with your family. In giving such blessings, both the one who speaks and the listener will be enriched. Tip Offer deokdam using words like the following: Expressions of gratitude Wishes…

A Heaven-Like Home Filled with Heavenly Language

There’s a saying that goes, “A happy home is a little bit of heaven in advance.” Heaven is filled with joy and delight every single day, and the angels who live there speak a beautiful, gentle heavenly language. In the same way, a happy home is built on beautiful words—words filled with consideration, kindness, and humility. Happiness blooms where such words are spoken. And in a home like that, can’t we taste a glimpse of heaven even now? This month, try using this heavenly language generously with your family. A home where both the speaker and the listener feel joy through warm, loving words—surely that place would feel just like heaven. Tip Examples of Heavenly Language Words of affirmation: “That’s…

‘Hey, Almond, Calm Down!’

Everyone carries an “almond” inside their body. It’s actually the amygdala, a part of the brain named for its almond-like shape and size. The amygdala processes and responds to emotions, and it becomes especially active when we feel negative emotions. Once it is activated, stress hormones are immediately released. This is why keeping the amygdala calm is essential for both mental and physical health. This month, take care to keep your own—and your family’s—“almonds” relaxed and steady. When our emotions are stable, health and happiness naturally follow. Tip How to Keep Your Amygdala Calm and Stable Eat a balanced diet (especially omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and B vitamins). Get sufficient sleep. Take walks in nature. Engage your brain positively through…

Let’s Hold a Family Workshop!

Even though we may spend many hours together at the same workplace, staying focused on tasks often leaves little room for genuine communication. That’s why companies organize workshops—so employees can share ideas for future growth in a relaxed environment. Workshops aren’t just for business discussions; they’re also opportunities to strengthen teamwork through fun and engaging activities. So, why not bring this idea into your home? Try holding a “family workshop,” where everyone gathers to reflect on the past year and enjoy meaningful time together. This December, the final month of the year, create a warm and cheerful atmosphere with your loved ones and welcome the new year with unity and joy! Tip Ideas for Your Family Workshop Present the goals…

Power Pose On!

Standing tall with your feet shoulder-width apart, chest lifted, and hands on your hips—this is the iconic Wonder Woman pose. Just looking at it, you can almost feel the confidence and strength it radiates. Brave people often show their boldness not just through words, but through the way they carry themselves. Interestingly, research shows that striking this kind of pose—known as a power pose—can actually boost your confidence and lift your mood. In other words, your body posture can shape your mindset! This month, try power posing together as a family. You’ll be surprised how a simple stance can brighten your spirit and bring cheerful confidence into your home. Before long, you’ll be a strong and shining “Wonder Family”! Tip…

Give Your Family the Gift of Cuteness!

Soft and fluffy babies, wriggling baby animals, tiny and adorable miniatures, and so on—when we see small and cute things, a smile comes to our face without even thinking about it. We want to pet them, and sometimes even feel the urge to playfully bite them. Like this, people have a natural psychology of liking cute things. When we see something cute, the brain releases oxytocin and dopamine, hormones that make us feel love and a sense of bonding. It is said that this even works when we are angry or under stress. With that in mind, this month, try giving the gift of cuteness to your family. Let the cuteness within you shine to the fullest and deliver happiness!…

Love Like a Hedgehog

One winter day, a group of hedgehogs huddled together to stay warm. But as they drew near, their sharp quills pricked one another, causing pain. After a few painful attempts, they discovered the perfect distance—close enough to share warmth, yet far enough to avoid hurting each other. This story, known as the Hedgehog’s Dilemma, offers a wise lesson for family life. The closer we are, the easier it is to hurt each other without meaning to. But when we love with respect and care, our homes grow more peaceful. This month, try the hedgehog’s way of loving—keeping just enough space for warmth to grow; close, yet always respectful. Within that space, your family will feel gently connected and warmly held.…

Put on Your Pink Lens

When you’re in love, your brain releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine and phenylethylamine. These boost your mood and deepen your affection for the other person. Suddenly, even small things seem delightful, and you naturally see everything in a more positive light. This phenomenon is sometimes called the Pink Lens Effect—when love makes the world glow in soft, rosy hues. This month, try looking at your family through a pink lens. You might be surprised by how many sweet, endearing qualities you notice—things you may have overlooked before. Let love brighten your vision! Tip See what you thought were fl aws as hidden strengths. Give generous praise when you notice something good. Choose to interpret your family’s actions kindly. Speak with positivity—even when you…

Pray for Your Family!

In the film Aladdin, a magical lamp grants three wishes. When Aladdin unexpectedly comes into possession of the lamp, he chooses to use his final wish—not for himself, but to help someone else. Through that selfless act, he finds a love he once thought impossible and steps into a happy ending. Just like that lamp, we, too, have a powerful gift: prayer—our direct conversation with the Almighty God. Prayer is vital for ourselves, but it shines even brighter when we pray earnestly for others, for such prayer can only come from love. This month, let us take time to pray for our family. God, who hears every prayer, will be pleased and listen with joy. Tip Set a regular time…

Save Up Happiness, Bit by Bit!

Happiness may pass like a gentle breeze—here one moment, gone the next. But when we feel it again and again, it begins to stay with us. So what if we saved it up, little by little, so it lingers longer in our hearts? Let’s call it a Happiness Account. You can make deposits into your own Happiness Account through gratitude. Or, you can help fill someone else’s by offering kind words and thoughtful actions that lift their spirits. When families join in, happiness grows with interest—just like compound savings. This month, try filling your own Happiness Account—and your family’s—bit by bit. A strong balance of happiness might just be life’s greatest wealth. Tip How to Use Your Happiness Account Make…

Sweet as Honey When Offered: “Try a Bite!”

People feel a special kind of happiness when they enjoy delicious food with their loved ones. But there’s a way to make that happiness even richer: before taking the first bite, say, “Try a bite,” or “Please have some.” That tender moment—when you warmly invite a loved one to taste the food first—creates a deep sense of joy that goes beyond the feeling of being full. This month, why not offer the first bite to your family? Whatever the dish, it’s sure to taste as sweet as honey! Tip Cook or buy a dish your family loves. Place a tasty bite on top of their rice spoon. Gently slide the dish closer to them. Offer the first bite directly to…

Change Method: Put Yourself in Someone Else’s Shoes

If you put yourself in someone else’s situation, there’s nothing you cannot understand. There is an old saying that goes, “Don’t judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes.” It means you can understand a man when you put yourself in his situation. Even family members living in the same house cannot understand each other sometimes. It’s natural because people think differently as they look different from each other. So then why don’t you try putting yourself in someone else’s shoes? It’s called “Change Method” and it’s very easy. Tip If a conflict arises, put yourself in the other person’s situation and converse. Change roles of each other and act accordingly at home for one day. Try…

Live Without TV for a Week!

Today’s family life is getting desolate due to the development of digital gadgets such as TVs, computers, cellphones, and game consoles. It is because the demerits of lack of conversation among family members tag along behind the merits of the devices that make our lives convenient and comfortable. Among the gadgets, TV is very familiar to us and it has been in our lives longer than any others. Do you spend more time watching TV than having a conversation with your family? This month, be free from TV for a week at least. And find what can benefit you or what you can do with your family during the time instead. Then, you will spend your time much more profitably…

Sowing the Seed of Positives

If you plant lettuce in a field, it becomes a lettuce field; if you plant cabbage, it turns to a cabbage field; if you plant flowers, it becomes a flower field. It depends on what kind of seeds you plant. The field of our heart is the same. Just as a good seed produces good fruit, in order to bear fruits of joy, gratitude, and hope, we must first sow the seed of positives in our heart. This month, let’s sow the seed of positives, which may be small but will bear rich fruits. Remember that after sowing, you have to take good care of them! Tip Practice smiling before the mirror every morning. Try to discover other people’s strengths.…

Use “Cushion Words”

When you see a cushion, you want to lean on it. And when you do, it feels soft and comfortable. In words too, there are “cushion words” that make listeners pleased and comfortable. Before you ask someone to do something, if you say words like “Excuse me,” “I am sorry to bother you,” “I am afraid but,” or “If you don’t mind,” you will get rid of objectionable feelings and make them feel respected. Try not to forget to use these cushion words because they can even turn hard words into soft words. Reference Examples of Cushion Words “Sorry, but would you please help me?” “Honey, I know you are busy, but would you do me a favor?” “I’m sorry,…

Discover Hidden Merits of Your Family

While living with your loving family, you may see each other’s weaknesses. If you just look at weak points of others, you might unwittingly grumble against them. But if you consider their strengths bigger than their weaknesses, thanksgiving will come out of your mouth naturally. This month, find out 50 merits from each and every one of your family members with your eyes wide opened. If you look at others with a beautiful mind, you will be able to discover their hidden merits you haven’t recognized before and realize you’re living with such good people. Tip Tips for discovering family members’ hidden merits Have interest in them. Think positively even for their weak points. Note down whenever you find a…

Bathroom Etiquette

“Come out quickly. I’m in a hurry.” “Who didn’t switch off?” “Who hung the wet towel?” . . .  While using the bathroom together at home, we go through many troubles. If the bathroom is not cleaned up after use, the next user may be unpleasant. So, in the bathroom we need more consideration than in any other places at home. This month, let us observe good bathroom manners so that all family members can use the bathroom pleasantly and hygienically. People with a beautiful mind leave their seats beautiful. Tip Bathroom Etiquette at Home Knock the door before entering. Empty the bin when full. Wash your hands with soap. Yield for someone in a hurry. Replace the toilet paper…

Make Your Family Fall Asleep Pleasantly

Finishing off your day, you prepare for the next day before going to bed; this time is very important because in order to wake up in a good mood in the morning, you need to fall asleep pleasantly. As it is the most relaxing time of the day with your family, make good use of this time to bond with each other even more. Before going to bed, don’t forget to give affectionate greetings like “Good night” or “Sweet dreams” to your family. Tip Good Things to Do 30 Minutes Before Going to Bed Writing down what you were thankful during the day, or conversing with your family about it. Getting reconciled with someone if you had a quarrel. Massaging…