Spring Awakenings

How long it's been since I've last blogged!! Spring is a time where hope, like the flowers and plants, is reignited. It seems like there is a "jump" in everyone's step; even if they are simply going to work. I've finished my second year in grad school and I only have 2 more classes to go. I'm also currently in the middle of applying for my provisional certificate in school counseling. With this certificate, I can work as a counselor for 5 years until I need to get my professional state certificate. It seems like I am doing everything the right way....

Maybe it's because of a friend's confusing relationship with someone who may or may not be for her, I've been thinking about relationships and why so many of them fail. It is my belief that many relationships would strive and sustain themselves if we treated the other person like "family." Think about it: how often do brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles fight and yell at each other. A lifetime of times, right? Do they ever "break" up??? NO!! If for example, a grown sister fought with her grown brother and feelings were indefinitely hurt, another family member would likely say, "this person is your family, you've got to work it out." As a worst case scenario, you would still see them at a family gathering from time to time. More often then not, the fight would be forgotten and everyone would agree that of course family members fight and quarrel and move on.

Why can't the same premise hold true for "strangers" who meet and fall in love. If a girl and a boy fought like the sister and brother in the above example, there might be a person who would say, "break it off, you can do better. This person doesn't deserve you." So often, family members are so self-absorbed about keeping only their family intact, that they neglect to think of other relationships as anything but a "transitional" thing.

Remember, our parents, grandparents, and the many parents before them all started off as "strangers" before they have taken and dedicated themselves to be a "family." We should treat our relationships (not including the obvious dangerous ones) with the kindness and respect that we would treat our relationships with real family members. We can't get rid of our families; lets keep this in mind when we are with someone we love.