Familie ist alles was ich habe (Family is all I have) ~Translated from Deutsch

(My Family)

When the word Family comes up, What would be one's reaction? How would one reciprocate some information given to them about their family? The line of questions will keep running on. Some love their family for what they are and some hate their family for the same reason. But what you are about to read is going to be how a four-letter word 'hate' changes its course towards a wonderful emotion with the same four-letter word called 'love'.

Sometimes you just might not like the way things are put out for you. All you can do is, look out for your family they will always have your back, no matter what situation you are in. And this is the most important thing that I forgot to even think about when I was in a place where I went through a lot. Here are just a few things to keep in mind:

1. They will always have your back even when nobody does.

Sometimes in our society, we feel lonely. We feel stuck like no one possibly understands what we’re going through. This is an important life lesson, a reminder that regardless of your struggles, there is always somebody in your corner who understands and will listen. Our families remind us of the type of individuals in this world who are good-hearted, kind, and worth knowing. You may not find them on every corner, but they’re always there.

2. Unconditional love.

Our families are the very first individuals ever to step foot into our lives. They teach us how to love with no boundaries. The concept of unconditional love is only something families can teach through example, genuine care, and influence. Your family life and the way your loved ones encourage you as your abilities progress is exactly the foundation the rest of your life will follow. If you know how to love the people closest to you without conditions, you will also know how to adore other people with the same unlimited love every day. 

3. Selflessness.

Our families teach us how to care for people besides ourselves. Taking care of yourself first is indeed necessary, but how you treat other people is just as important. Our families teach us the concept of selflessness for us to develop into people who help each other and are more than willing to assist the people who have less than us. Selflessness teaches us how to be kind, considerate, helpful, and empathetic. If you know how to think about others, you will thrive in the long run in the cycle called "life".

4. Sacrifice.

Remember the festival time when your dad couldn’t be there to prepare the dinner but made it home in time to make sure you are not feeling bad? Or those times when your mom was super exhausted from work but still stays up just to make sure you know exactly what you’re eating for the next few days? Our families teach us that sometimes, the things that are not necessarily the most comfortable are still the right things to do. They show us that sacrifice is one of the biggest ways to show someone how much you love them. If you know how to sacrifice to make a situation less disruptive, you know exactly what to do for those you care about most in the future.

5. Loyalty.

If you think friendships create loyalty, you’re wrong. It’s family. Your family is the very first group you encounter that introduces you to what loyalty should really be. No doubt, the fact that you are of a similar bloodline automatically means mandatory loyalty to each other, but being loyal to somebody even when the situation forces you not to be is a true test of character. I believe loyalty is the cousin of unconditional love. Even though it’s not the same, it’s very similar. The idea of being loyal to anything or anyone that you hold most dear means that nothing in this life could ever break the bond you have, the love you share, and the experiences you’ve been through. Loyalty is firm certainty, trust, and completely filled with love.

Our families teach us how to live our lives the right way. They teach us how to solve our problems with honesty and love, they show us how to see the best in any situation that arises, and they exemplify what it means to love somebody with all of their heart. Your family members are the ones who love you more than you could ever imagine.  As I’ve gotten older now, I’ve come to realize that 'family' is not only a word that should be included in the certificate profile of an individual, but it’s also a way of life that leads each of us on the path we were always meant for. Family is more than the names you write when someone asks you what you value the most in life. It’s more than just a group of people who take care of you because they’re supposed to. Family is everything you are and all you have yet to become.