Everyone came from a family. Rooted in one ideal or another, these ideals tend to differ from one family to another. A family might uphold and practice this while another does the opposite. Some things could be esteemed in one family but taken lightly in another. The way of operations is different, and that affects the character and even perception of life for the members.
It's no surprise that Social Studies taught us that the family is the smallest unit of society. That means that what we see in society is an extension of the influence and character of the family. The family is the most powerful unit or force, and the need to understand how much it shapes us in character and life is necessary.
I'm grateful to God for my family. We don't choose our families and we should understand there's a reason we were born into our families. I can't imagine coming from another family. It will mean losing some of the values and privileges I've had. Certainly, I'm a product of some disciplines and rituals from my family.
Say we are religious, but it goes beyond religion; because one thing that's esteemed and never neglected is our fellowship and relationship with God. I learnt this from the daily morning devotions, the night prayers before we sleep, and much more. We come together for this every day, except for some reason. This has consistently built the fear of God in me and the need to depend on Him.
Keeping the home clean daily is a necessary ritual, a non-negotiable one. Cleaning the house, mopping the floors and all that. This went on gone to affect me while in high school. For some reason, I was noticed for this quality of keeping my space and belongings clean and tidy. Coming from a home where this was esteemed and imparted through discipline, what choice could I have? That's how much a person's family can influence them.
Consistently, we were cautioned on the need to cultivate and uphold ethical values. The reason we do or don't do some things today is because of these lessons and admonitions. I must say I'm grateful for that; to know the right to do and do it and the wrong not to do and avoid it. This has particularly shaped me in some way.
Family will always have a resounding effect and influence on the members. When we look a lot into our lives, we might see how much we owe the family, especially for the good it has taught us. Sadly, we can equally be influenced in some negative sense by the family. Overall, it shows how delicate the family is and how much of a force it is.
Images are AI generated.