A Risk Not Worth Taking

It is no secret, things are not always in perfect harmony when family is involved. Family is there for everything: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Everyone likes when things within a family unit are running smoothly without any drama, but it is enevitable that rifts will upset the balance of even the most tight knit clans. It can be small disagreements, or full scale feuds, but the important thing to realize is that, in the end, family is all you have. They will accept you for whatever you may do. They may not always agree with you, but they usually have your best interests at heart. It is so important not to let petty things interfere with the relationship you have with your family. Just from my own experiences, I know that you have to find forgiveness in your heart for your family because you never know what can happen. Regardless of what goes on, you still love them, and making amends is always worth it. And don't wait.Tomorrow is never promised. Freak accidents happen all the time. I know that sometimes, even when you may think you are doing the right thing, it is important to make concessions for your family. Don't let your pride rule your life and fool you into thinking that everybody is just going to come around to your thinking. Sometimes you have to be the one that takes that first step to recovering the balance in the relationship. That may mean passing up on something that you want, but in the end it is worth it if you get to keep your family. They are the ones that have always been there for you to pick up the pieces when things have gone wrong in your life, and even when you think they won't, they will forgive you. If you truly care for your loved ones you will not take them for granted. People come and go in your life all the time, but your family is a constant. Your parents make sacrifices for their children, and even when they don't show it, our actions affect them no matter how old we may get. I'm 23 years old and my mom will still tell me if I'm being a dumbass. But the difference between my 16 year old self, and now, is that I listen to that advice. And I listen hard. I may not always take it, but I don't take it for granted. I know that my mom loves me and only wants what is best for me. I also know that my mom has a lot more life experience than I do, and I would rather pay attention to her life lessons than disregard them because I am not foolish enough to think I know better. I may not always agree with my family and their opinions, but I respect them enough to use their advice when I am making important decisions in my life. And NOTHING is worth sacrficing my relationship with my family for anything that I think I may want at the time, or what I think I need. It is food for thought for those of you that have strain in your family life. Never think for a second that anything you might disagree about is grounds to abandon your relationship with your loved ones. They won't be around forever, so enjoy your lives together while you still can.