FAMILY DYNAMICS

Leadership – Communication – Share Values

A family is a place where minds come in contact with one another.  – Buddha

Family relationships are some of the most important and, at times, the most delicate to manage. Our homes and families should be a place of refuge from life’s storms. It should be an enduring safe house that supports and loves unconditionally. Not everyone has the good fortune to live in, or grow up in, a home that has such qualities. Each of us should consider it a blessing if we had a supportive, loving and accepting home.

Each of us grows into our own unique family relationship, regardless of how that is defined or constructed. The family concept has evolved into what has been termed a “permeable household,” in which families are spread across households. This likely includes siblings, aunts and uncles and even those of friends. In such an environment we can find the benefits of family through more than one source of community. We are colored by this childhood experience. Depending upon our reference point, we seek later in life to undo, or recreate those experiences that we shared as a child.

Many of the dynamics of any relationship are simply magnified in the family dynamics. Emphasis on communication becomes paramount. Bringing a heightened awareness to each relationship to cultivate the strengths and head off budding problems take precedence. Unresolved family matters risk creating deep wounds that may take decades to heal, if at all.

Reviews, personal stories and commentary on communication, family dynamics, courage, and finding harmony are some of the many articles in this Family Dynamics section.

Stay connected. Stay together. Enjoy!