May 16, 2008

 

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE A FAMILY?

By Jeanette Smith, Former Staff Member CTI

The term "family" is broadly defined as a group of things, not necessarily organic, that are related to one another through some similarity or common source or bond. Just think how many circumstances that defintion covers, particularly when modifiers and qualifiers are added. There are families of chemicals, languages, and numbers. One of the principle categories in the biological classification of plants and animals is Family, sandwiched between Order and Genus. The types of family with which most humans identify are the biological and nuclear, those small units in which most of us grow up. Then there are extended, blended, foster, adoptive, Mafia, and don't forget dysfunctional, families. Well, you get the idea. But there are deeper meanings of "family" we need to explore concerning just what attributes should compose the human version of family.

Let us consider the qualities we, as human beings, want, need, and expect in a family. Loyalty is certainly one of them; compassion and understanding are others. Guidance, character, truthfulness, unselfish concern for one another, and role models are all-important. Unconditional love would be nice. Where can we look for examples or role models? Television? Okay, there were the Donna Reed, Leave It To Beaver families, and others of that ilk which, while well meant, were a bit unrealistic, don't you think? Then there was All In The Family, which was entertaining, but is that who we want to be? How about The Simpsons, or The Osbournes of more recent times? I think not. can we look to the nuclear family in general as an example at all? Increasingly less, unfortunately, as divorce, neglect, drug use and the loss of ...yes, "family values" increase.

People need not be related by blood to qualify as family. Again, it is those characteristics mentioned above and devotion to one another in a common goal that matter the most. Say, that depiction rather accurately describes our large gourp of members in Concept-Thearpy, does it not? Just think about it! We all walk the same path in our quest for the ongoing evolution of our consciousness; we all aspire to live according to Universal Law (as taught in the Concept-Therapy Seminar). We study constantly as we struggle to follow the laws of the body, and to overcome the laws of the mind with the laws of the soul. Is this not true?

Oh, we are not perfect, we "Beamers" (students of Concept-Therapy), for no human or group of humans can claim that for themselves. but warts and all, we put ourselves to the test repeatedly as we strive to apply our principles in our smaller, more intimate units of family and in the world at large. If it's not too much of an oxymoron, perhaps we can even put some of the "fun" back in dysfunctional as we toil to do our duty, that of being happy. Collectively, we surely fit the definition, so I sincerey believe we can not only call ourselves FAMILY, but be the model for it in our family, our "small parenthesis in eternity" (Sir Thomas Browne, 1605-1682)

By the way, plan on coming to OUR FAMILY REUNION at the INTERNATIONAL "ON-THE-BEAM CLUB CONVENTION titled THE POWER OF ONE to be held at the Concept-Therapy Institute Headquarters, AUM SAT TAT RANCH, July 10-13, 2008. CLICK HERE for further information.