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In today's world people can feel they are living in a divided society, and there is a strong tendency to get so caught up in our own insecurities, that we take for granted those who care about us most.

Many of us are lucky enough to have a very special place in the heart of our family, even if we do find them interfering or frustrating at times, yet how many of us really appreciate the unconditional affection we are given by our partners, parents and siblings?

We all belong somewhere, but for some people this world is not a kind and considerate place, and there are those who find themselves lost in a wilderness of cruelty and mistrust, longing for the protection and support of a family that loves them for who they are, and really cares for their wellbeing and safety.

Care and Consideration

CARE and CONSIDERATION make a great difference to the quality of life, and really should spread way beyond the family home. Our native country has much significance for all of us, for we live by its laws, and can die by the decisions of those who send our young people to war.

But if we occasionally light a candle for mutual concern and support between our nations, at least we are half way to focusing our attention on a greater family than just our own.

We ourselves can do much to change the environment around us, for most of those who cause upset and stress are not really bullies, or mobsters or naturally born to destroy. They are just frightened people who have grown up in a world of ignorance and betrayal - but if we care enough, we can make a difference, not only to their lives but also our own.

It is a well known saying that you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make them drink, and to change things it is no use shouting the odds about more discipline and heavier punishments.

However, it is not about becoming servants to an offensive society either.

People only change if they want to change, but perhaps they will only want to change if they find themselves in touch with others who show them trust instead of recrimination, and friendship instead of fear?

The quality of a society begins in the home - where children are respected for their feelings, and taught the value of good behaviour by their parent's example towards them as well as the outside world.

All people want to be loved - to feel they are worth something - and if more people were shown these examples in the family home, there would be far less violence out on the streets.

So maybe you would like to show some appreciation to those whom you consider your family - whether blood relatives or not - perhaps by cooking them a special meal, or spending some real quality time together, and letting them know by the little things you do, just how much you care about them and appreciate what they do for you?

And perhaps together, you can plan to do something, however small, for someone who needs a little compassion and consideration in a lonely world?

As time goes on, you will see how this approach can bring inner comfort to yourself; how a little nurturing goes a long long way, and opens the doorway for others to respond to you in a way that brings lasting warmth into your own life.

Feelings of isolation are often bred from insecurity, and the world is a lonely place for those who find themselves unable to nurture others or even themselves.

Yet true emotional security is born from appreciating what we have, without feeling reliant upon others for our happiness, and finding joy in what we can give rather than receive. We all have something wonderful about us that we can share with others, so why not begin by learning to appreciate and nurture the good points about yourselves as well?

A country and its people belong together, and if we find ourselves disillusioned by the example set by our leaders, at least we can try to live as true examples of a caring and considerate nation?

After all, we are all part of the same human family, and all linked to each other, however good or bad we consider this to be. So perhaps those of us who have a loving home and friends, can pass on some of this influence to those who have not been so lucky?

Love one another, but make not a bond of love. Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.

Fill each other's cup, but drink not from one cup.

Give one another of your bread, but eat not from the same loaf.

Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone, even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping, for only the hand of life can contain your hearts.

And stand together, yet not too near together: for pillars of the temple stand apart, and the oak tree and cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

Kahlil Gibran

Courage	Stability	Communication	Laughter	Peace	Health	Imagination
Love	Sorrow	Hope	Power	Freedom	Action	Cancer