Family, WE can be a lot happier than ME

Family is a huge word, so many different feelings, emotions, words can come to mind depending on the person hearing the word.  I found this quote amongst my reading this week and it really got me thinking.

When I read this I started to wonder if I was giving the atmosphere where my family members could flourish.  At times we all get moving in our own direction and want those around us to move at the same pace, focusing on our end result.  Do we stop to think of that person as an individual? Do we really appreciate their differences? Do our family members have an open communication? Are we nurturing to our family and their needs?

Last night I had a family member get upset at another because they were not moving as fast as the individual thought they should be moving, it ended in a fight, one that didn't need to happen.  The one individual was moving true to his nature slow and steady without a care in the world, the other was only thinking of themselves and the fact that they needed to get up early so they expected the slower person to care only for their needs.

So many times in a family setting we think we are focusing on others and really we are so self involved that we don't realize we are the one causing all the conflict.  Family means more than one, so we can not focus on one individual or their needs if we want a happy and pleasant environment.  I am not saying as a parent to be passive but we need to stop and think about our motives.  I know as a mother, who has to keep track of so much, that from time to time I rush my family along so I can keep my schedule in my mind moving.  I can forget that certain people don't move in such a manner, and others need to move in an even quicker pace.  

I want my children to have the type of communication, with me and their family members, that will enable them to talk through their problems and situations.  If I don't try to understand my children are individuals and my husband and I are so different, I would probably get caught up in he ME SCENARIO.

What is the ME SCENARIO? It's when we think of ourselves, our needs, what works best for us, we focus on the way we do things and think it's the only way to do it, we become so self involved that we forget that in order for our family and us as an individual to truly be happy in a family setting me must put 110% into the relationship.  Yes there is an I in family, but it doesn't stand alone, it is right in the middle.  Family can only exist when everyone in the family is trying to make it work for everyone.  We must give and take where it is needed but realize that you can't expect love and respect if you yourself cannot do just that.  You must be able to contribute to your strengths but give opportunities for others to shine as well.

Family is one of the greatest blessing in life, and today for me to have Joy in me, I must become more involved in the FAMILY SCENARIO, and not get involved in the ME SCENARIO.  I can't get caught up in the me when I have an individual around me who is, I must help them see that WE can be a lot happier than ME.