April Theme: Family (chosen by Gayze)
I moved away from home when I was seventeen years old in search of a new life and new adventures. What I found, truly, were many ‘families’ over my lifetime shape-shifting into different forms:
- a platoon
- neighbors
- a group of exercise instructors
- an open-water swim team
- a laboratory base of scientists
- the blogging community
Yes, WE are family, those who blog, those who visit blogs, and all of us intertwined on the internet. I’m taking this opportunity to shout out to all of you. My blog family, my virtual family. You’re lovely!
Let’s not stop here.
Everyone on this planet is part of a global family. Our DNA is 99.9% similar, we all have a complex brain and a beating heart—challenges and hopes. The next time you’re annoyed at someone about something that happened, remember, he or she not that much different that you.
And I’ll do the same.
I realized when I focused my eyes and ears toward topics about family this month that ‘family’ takes many shapes and forms. Most importantly, I’m thankful for all the families I’ve been a part of over my lifetime. Each family has helped me grow in one way or another. I feel immense gratitude for having been a part of all of them.
What about you? Feel like commenting about what ‘family’ means to you, including the classic definition of ‘family’ as those related to you as well as other forms of ‘family’ in your life?
Stay tuned for next month’s theme: SERENITY (chosen by Zeenat).
♦ March’s theme post: Laughter
♦ February’s theme post: Passion
♦ January’s theme post: Gratitude
♦ December’s theme post: Wacky!
♦ November’s theme post: Beauty
♦ October’s theme post: Kindness
The RAOKA mission seeks to remind us that Random Acts of Kick Arse happen all around us—and also to spread the spirit. Each month, one of us RAOKA groupies picks a new theme to focus our attention toward positivity and goodness in this world.
On the first Wednesday of each month (US time zone) we all post about what we’ve observed.
The RAOKA team—check out other ‘Family’ posts:
Lance at Jungle of Life
Gayze at Gazehound’s Animal Communication
Zeenat at Positive Provocations
RAOKA’s creator, Sami May, is currently on blogging hiatus and may return in the future—I’ve picked up the torch for her in the interim. Thank you for giving RAOKA momentum, Sami!
Be Involved in RAOKA!
If you’d like to become a Random Acts of Kick Arse Crusader—here’s your chance:
- Follow along with our monthly themes and spread the random acts of kick arse!
- Write a post about you’re up to and publish it on the first Wednesday of each month if you are in the US (for other parts of the world, check out your corresponding day here). If you need a reminder each month, feel free to email me at lori [@ symbol] janebenimble [dot] com to let me know you want to be a RAOKA Crusader and I’ll send you a reminder email. If you don’t have a blog, you’re welcome to play along in the comments.
- When you see my RAOKA post published, fill out your details in the form below including the URL address of your own RAOKA post and the title of your blog in the “Link Title” field. This will then automatically create a link to your post for others to see what kind of arse kicking you get up to. See the following link as an example (link 1).
[logo designed by Melissa at Operation Nice]
Like this post at Jane Be Nimble? There are more on the way! Get them emailed to your inbox or via RSS. I promise not to spam you or to sell your information. Ever.
I’m glad that you’re a part of my family, Lori-bug. You’ve helped me through some tough times, and I am thankful for you.
.-= Jay Schryer´s last blog ..Leather and Lace =-.
Hi Sweet Jay,
I’m glad you’re a part of my family, too. I can say the same about you. I had you in mind when I was writing this post — I can’t say how much I value your friendship. Thank you!
~xo!
Hi Lori Luv,
You are talking my language girl! I have written about the global family too…the interconnectedness and soul connection we all share. And its so so important for us to think like to truly truly heal our-self and the world.
Thank you for being part of my big happy family!
Much Love to you,
Z~
Hi Lovely Zeenat,
Thanks for being a shining star in my happy family, too. I am blessed to have stumbled across you, so many miles away — but, yet, so close!
We are on the same page, girl. I loved your post about Family. I think Gayze picked a fabulous theme this month. And I’m anticipating writing about serenity after I’ve had the opportunity to bathe in the concept for the month of May. Great choice!
Love to you, Lovely.
Family is so subjective and fluid in its own way – and can be inclusive if we open our hearts and minds. What a wonderful post and theme.
Thank you.
Good Day to you!
Thank you immensely for participating in the RAOKA concept with us! I’m so happy to have you aboard.
Thanks for a linking a great post which I recommend others check out, too.
I love the concept of opening our hearts and minds. Thanks for your comment and I hope to see what you’ve come across this month in regards to ‘Serenity’ on the first Wednesday of June.
It sounds like we all treasure the idea of expanded family, and I’m honored to be a part of yours, Lori.
.-= Gayze´s last blog ..RAOKA for April: Family =-.
Yes, Gayze, it’s the first thing I thought about when you proposed the theme. How, really, I am surrounded by family — not ‘blood’ family — but my lovely extended family of friends and neighbors. I don’t know what I would have done without them these past months.
Thanks for choosing this topic and for sharing a moving post with us. I love the concept of animals as family, too. I really need to bring animals back into my life as soon as I can move OUT of the city! (I grew up on a farm, for goodness sakes!)
Hi Lori:
Nice topic this month….I agree with you about how much alike all of us really are. I know there are plenty of people who want to emphasize our differences, but I don’t believe that. As far as family goes, my family is very small. I know people who’d enjoy a small family, but I’d rather belong to a bigger family. That’s why I consider my friends my family…I know I should probably tell my friends that more often. In any case, thank you for being a part of my family
.-= Tim´s last blog ..Re-Blog April 2010 =-.
Hi Tim,
Lovely to see you here today — your smile can always pick me up!
I’m digging your comments about family, and about the size of families, and even how your friends have become family members. I have a very large extended family (on both my and my husband’s side) but I feel, at times, my friends are much closer — personally and geographically.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and shining a light on my situation. You’ve given me gratitude for what I have in my life. Especially to have you as part of my family, too, Tim.
*Namaste* my friend (little bro’)
Hey Lori,
Yahoo!!! I am part of YOUR family!! Now that RAOKA’s!!!
.-= Lance´s last blog ..RAOKA: Family =-.
Yes, Lance, RAOKA on, RAOKA warrior! You’re part of my family, yee haw!!
Great post today, too, Lance. Loved all the photos!
Enjoy!
Hi Lori. I do have a biological family somewhat, but I have found it much more healthy and necessary in life to expand my family to include many others. I have a “family” which is a hodge podge mix of blogging buddies, face book friends, real life professionals who have turned into personal friends, animals, and assorted others. My point is that I consider my family to be those in my life with whom I have a reciprocally caring relationship. This family is always changing which allows for constant growth for me. No one is alone and can make their own family this way.
Hi Delightful Debbie,
You’ve summed up, quite well, what I was going after in this post. (Maybe I should hire you to write my posts for me.)
I like how you said that no one is alone. I believe that deeply. There is this guy who lives near me who is homeless and I’m very sure is also mentally ill. Nevertheless, every time I see him and tell him hello and shoot him a huge smile. He’s come to recognize me and always sends me a big smile back. I actually consider him part of my family, too.
It’s my pleasure and I have much gratitude for being able to consider you part of my family, too. Massive hugs to you, Debbie.
~xo
Hi Lori,
I was in a support group in my 30′s and a person there asked the group how many people are in the world. Everyone was quiet…like is this a trick question?
The second time he asked people started guessing.
His answer: One. There is only one of us.
We all got it and I’m sure none of us ever forgot it.
My family is all “one” of us.
Thanks for being you and I’m so happy I’ve found our blogging community. It has given me such hope for our world and future. You know old people like me can start some real “stinkin thinkin” about the good old days and forget “the best is yet to come.”
Hi Tess,
Wow, I LOVE that! I love that concept and deeply believe in it. We ARE all one — absolutely. Whether we “measure” by our DNA similarity or because of words of the sages over the ages, we all are really “one”.
And, I agree. Even though I’m on the cusp of defining myself as one of the, “old people” (although, I think I need to start being more realistic — I’m certainly not 18 anymore! LOL), I absolutely agree. Thanks for reminding me that all is not lost and the best is yet to come. I agree and can’t wait to see what is on the horizon (other than the iPad).
Hi Lori – I’ve always loved that saying, which I can’t exactly remember now, about how we are free to choose our families if we don’t like the ones we’re born into. Something like that. Just the word family gives me warm fuzzies, especially when it’s propped up by words like belonging and community and love. It was a delight to read about all the families you’ve belonged to, and made me think about my own varied experiences of family. A close knit work team. My grad school family. My extended family. And on and on. And I also got excited thinking about the families that are yet-to-be for me. So thanks for that!
Hi Patty,
I know the saying you mentioned — I think I’ve heard it before. And, so true! Thanks for commenting about it.
Also, a very good point about all the families yet to be — I’m with you there. What a great thought! Thanks for taking the time to be here and share your thoughts — they are beautiful.
~xo
Hi Lori .. I would love to have a warm supportive family – but I do have a supportive me (who copes) & I have supportive friends, whom I rarely draw on .. as I can cope and work things out for myself, and I loved the days when I was part of a physical community giving back as well as enjoying the club itself.
Fortunately I have many supportive friends here, who perhaps don’t know what I’m going through .. some of it, but inadvertently the questions get answered within the blogosphere here & I get stopped in my tracks sometimes by the posts – making me think.
However I have to look around & realise that inspite of all I’m experiencing I’m much better off .. as I am positive and have a future planned & I’m so lucky to be born in a western country, with the connections we can now make.
So I’m grateful being here .. here physically and here with you all .. it’s so reassuring to know we have friends here to call on, as and when ..
I laugh loads at the Nursing Centre, and around and about .. so it’s good times in amongst the difficulties …
Have a good weekend – with thoughts and hugs Hilary
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..The Okavango Delta – the perfect place to Safari or holiday? = Yes for me! Part 3/3 – Sights and sounds .. =-.
Hi Hilary,
Your positivity shows in your comments and your post, too. I know what you mean about getting inadvertently stopped in your tracks by posts — that happens to me, too.
I’m grateful for you being here, Hilary. I’m grateful that you share your wisdom with all of us, and I am personally grateful to know someone who is showing me how to live gracefully (yes, YOU).
Thank you, Hilary, for all you do and write. Keep up the great work and continue flowing with positivity.
~xo
Hi Lori .. I do my best .. sometimes don’t feel like it – one advantage of the written word I guess .. we should be able to filter our words and our ‘sayings’ .. which then will give us a lighter feeling. I’m through the worst this end I hope! Just got to keep going ..
Grey day here again .. Spring is not here yet properly! I remember coming back from a visit to the States in the 70s at this time & it was gloriosly sunny, warm with a light breeze and I drove from London to Cornwall .. through the lanes, seeing the bluebells, the primroses & other hedgerow plants flushed with blooms and greens ..the horsechestnuts were flowering – I love the conker tree with their candles .. it was just glorious .. always remember that drive down! Obviously lots of sights to see elsewhere – but that just one trip .. open top sports car – helps I guess?!
Have a good weekend .. cheers and hugs Hilary
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..The Okavango Delta – the perfect place to Safari or holiday? = Yes for me! Part 3/3 – Sights and sounds .. =-.
Hi Lori
Came over from Lance’s site via your link at the bottom of his article.
You’ve mentioned the family of the blogging community and that’s exactly what I feel it is, a family.
It’s not what I expected when I started blogging so it has been a pleasant surprise.
I love to look down the comments and pick out the Avatars that I recognise and ckeck their latest posts.
So I’ll take this opportunity to say hello Patty, Hilary, Lance and a special hello to you Lori.
.-= Keith Davis´s last blog ..Flying in formation =-.
Hi Keith,
Thanks for visiting, I appreciate you taking the time to visit!
I found the same experience via blogging. I knew a few bloggers when I started and assumed I’d have a very small readership/blogging family — but I continually happen across such beautiful souls (such as yourself) and have been quite touched by those who I’ve come to know.
The people you’ve mentioned are quite awesome, too. Thanks for saying hello. Create a great day!
[...] April’s theme post: Family ♦ March’s theme post: Laughter ♦ February’s theme post: Passion ♦ January’s [...]