Flying High at Only Nine - What I May Have Overlooked When I Was Younger
When I was about nine years old I remember heading to my dads for the weekend was always an adventure. From trips to the Rocky Mountains where we would ride snowmobiles to our cabin tucked away in the Crazies, to last-minute R&D trips to Disneyland, Chicago, to check out their new virtual reality roller coaster. It was certainly a wild ride. While I was lucky enough to afford some luxuries as a child that many other kids would kill for, the one thing I always wanted, but never really thought I had, was a whole family.
Now don't misunderstand me, both my parents love me and my brother very much, and safe to say they would do anything they could to see that we are happy. Unfortunately, the kind of happiness I was searching for can't just be bought at a store, but that hasn't stopped me from trying.
When you ask most people "What is the most important thing in your life?" many people list family in their top five. While I almost feel ashamed for admitting this, if I am honest with myself, for the longest time, I don't think family would have even fallen in my top ten.
While I love my family members very much, and every one of them has had a unique impact on me and how I show up in the world, I have never felt that deep sense of connection that I see in others when you think of the traditional construct of family. I have never really felt the need to hold my family members in such a high priority in my life. Although my family was always around, I always felt like kind of a lone wolf, returning to the pack only when it is convenient for me.
When I was younger, I never really thought much of this. I felt like I could take on the world whether or not my family was by my side, and I would be happy just the same. Now, as I have grown older, I recognize what a mistake that was. I feel like I should be much closer to my family than I actually am, and I find myself longing for a connection with a close group of people I can depend on. This hit me especially hard as we closed out the holiday season.
I had to take on a second job in order to make ends meet while I try to create a future for myself in a career and business that I love. I was torn between securing my financial stability and taking time to go visit with family in different parts of the country.
Today, the word family means something different to me. A family is those people you go to. You confide in. You celebrate your victories with, and you share your pain. A family is a listening ear, and a smack in the back of the head when you need to get off your ass. These can be blood relatives, or they can be your closest friends. The important thing is that you love them, and they love you. You look out for each other.
After doing some reflecting I came to the conclusion that the only reason I never felt like I had a family is that I never spent any time trying to create mine. I also realized that if I really want family to be an important part of my life, I need to make it a priority. I need to take steps daily, weekly, or at the very least monthly, to re-kindle relationships that have all but faded and let these people know that they are important to me. The gesture can be small or big, but it needs to be from the heart.
Everyone has a network of people around them, but only those who choose to invest in others are rewarded with a family.
Don't take the people in your life for granted, show them you care. Not only will this help you live a happier and healthier life, but it will also greatly impact those you choose to invest your time in and create a more positive experience for everyone around you.
 About The Author
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Maxwell Masters specializes in helping collision repair business grow and scale their business through the Fix Auto Platform. He is passionate about saving California and supports the 10X Movement. Maxwell also works with high school and college students to imbue them with the D.R.E.A.M. Mindsetâ„¢ and help them find success in their future careers.
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