“To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must cultivate our personal life; and to cultivate our personal life, we must first set our hearts right.” Confucius
Weekly Photo Challenge: Family… Identical Twin Brothers w/ a friend
When we think of family, we often look to our immediate connections and start our definitions from that vantage point. Yet, family comes in many different permutations from immediate, to adopted, to extended and more. Even in a community of people with common interests, the ties that bind the community is very much of a familial nature. Throughout our lifetime, we build connections with individuals, and different groups of people that nurture some part of our lives, and those relationships are very much like that of a family. Above all, we share a universal bond as members of the human family…
SISTER SLEDGE – WE ARE FAMILY – 1979.wmv (Extended version)
“A family is a place where minds come in contact with one another. If these minds love one another the home will be as beautiful as a flower garden. But if these minds get out of harmony with one another it is like a storm that plays havoc with the garden.” Gautama Buddha
Weekly Photo Challenge: Family… Ducklings w/ mothers
Even in the animal kingdom, the family ties that bind are based on common ideals; familiarity, love and expectations that are shared. The ducklings above enjoy the company and protection of each other. Their mothers (or perhaps one is their dad) hover around them… and they feed and play together. In that simple act of bonding, they have established their family ties. It won’t matter if the ducklings came from different moms because what we see, right now, in front of us, are a group of ducklings enjoying family time. They are, as Buddha put it, at home and in harmony with one another and that is part of what shapes their family connections.
Do families squabble? Sure, it is part of the human dynamic to deal with family conflict from time to time. However, the goal is to find ways to mind fences and keep the ties strong… After all, maintaining a positive relationship is the kind of support we would expect from our family. What does family look like for you? More below.
“My message is the practice of compassion, love and kindness. Compassion can be put into practice if one recognizes the fact that every human being is a member of humanity and the human family regardless of differences in religion, culture, color and creed. Deep down there is no difference.” Dalai Lama
Weekly Photo Challenge: Family… The College Choir at a photo shot
I took this photo on a whim on a recent visit to a college campus, but what really attracted me was the camaraderie and family like feel of the group. Watching the choir gather for this photo opportunity and observing how they were interacting with and teasing each other, playing around, mugging for the photographer, and then being serious about the shoot reminded me again of a typical family. They share a few common joys; their music, their college, their black gowns, their affection for each other… in essence, they are family.
As far as I see it, family is about love, labor, safety, sacrifice, success, heart, hurts, shared histories and memories… and many moments of happiness which helps make the difference. What about you? What does family look like to you? Was it easy/hard to find the right photos for your examples of family? Were you drawn to specific examples for the prompt? Did you enjoy selecting your photos for this prompt? Do share? Thank you!
This post was inspired by a prompt from WP Daily Post: Weekly Photo Challenge: Family…
Positive Motivation Tip: Family is love, labor, safety, sacrifice, success, heart, hurts, shared histories and memories… and happiness which helps make the difference.
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos from my personal collection.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
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