He or she goes around spewing his or her speech about family togetherness, family time, and how much time is left to be with this relative and that one while squeezing in how great his or her family supposedly is. "Cherish your family, you never know when you will need them...family will be here when no one else will...your family loves you..."
Unsuspecting relatives have been manipulated by the optimist who claims to only want what is best for everyone. However, what some family members fail to realize is that they are living their lives based on what someone has told them, but not on how they truly feel! It is very easy to put aside differences based on someone's false perception only to later be shot down with a negative reality.
People move away, ignore others, and practically disappear out of families for good reason! Some return only to wish they never came back. Others will open up doors only to be reminded to close them back! Fickle family can be a detriment to a relationship, business, one's spiritual growth and more! It would make sense to avoid the comments of one's hyped up braggart family member and observe people, places and things for who and what they truly are! A relocation can turn out badly, an event can end up with people in the hospital, children can be emotionally scarred for a lifetime in the wrong environment with the wrong people, and above everything else,
one can lose his or her mind, partner, and finances trying to appease others.
Sure, it sounds good the family talk, walk, group, event and whatever other word that has "family" in it. But the reality is, that many relatives have moved away for good reason and to convince them to, "Come on back home, because your poor, dear mom needs you...grandma doesn't have long to live...you know how much we love and miss you (sob, sob)" is just wrong especially when the family member arrives to his or her hometown only to find that everyone is doing just fine and no one doesn't even look like they are on their death bed.
Braggart relatives speak highly of family because of their own personal guilt. They remember the money they owe, the family disputes, the bad-mouthing they did, and a plethora of other issues they have had with their relatives. Some even go so far as to pass on responsibilities for loved ones in the hopes that others will step up to the plate. So of course, they will talk loudly about how much family means to them.
Depending on the relationship one has with certain family members will determine whether or not they are going to buy into the "We are family" hype. Don't expect everyone to jump on board just because someone is ill, having financial difficulty, needs someone to talk to, or misses a relative he or she once was close to.
Realize people change! Don't be the one bad-mouthing others because they don't want to be a part of family related events! What use to be may not be anymore for these wounded individuals.
People have a way of messing things up because they overly promote family. They fail to understand that some get tired of being lied to, used, abused, controlled, bad-mouthed, or judged.
As the year presses on, if you are the one being pressured to do one thing or another for a relative just because their "family," stop! Think about what is happening. Notice how the pressure is affecting your personal life and make some immediate changes including distancing yourself from those who don't care to understand what is going on in your own personal life.
Stay blessed!
Nicholl McGuire
