Blog - November 8, 2022

Day 8 : The November Happiness Challenge

Family

How can we not talk about Family when Family is all we’ve got? (See you again. Charlie Puth ft Wiz Khalifa) I started this series with some experiences I had while growing up with my Nuclear family, so you should already know that I hold family dear. I do not joke with them, and I am very enthusiastic about building my own wonderful family too; So help me God. One thing in life that we don’t get to choose is our family. Because really, we all are born into different households and we grow up knowing these people as those we have been connected and bonded by blood. This means that if you are born into a Family that truly care for you and give you a safe space to thrive, it isn’t by your doing and you should be very thankful for it. This shouldn’t make you look down on or berate those who don’t have it as good or fancy, it isn’t their fault. What they can do is make sure that they are able to change the story and build a better family when they have the capability to. I am very happy and pleased with the family that I was born into. I have a mother who listens to every thing we have to say and gives us the liberty to be free with her. I have a Father who wouldn’t relent in going out of his way to ensure that we are doing fine. And my siblings? Oh my siblings. I have a brother whose interactions with me alone make me laugh so much and want him to never stop, and I have a sister who is similar to my mum in sayings and actions. I aknowledge my blessings, I am grateful for them. Family is a big deal, and we have such huge obligations to them as long as they aren’t obligations that make us go out of our ideals. I see Family as a shield that the Almighty carefully created for everyone before they were bornT because He already knows the emptiness and instability of this world. They are our cover, our hope and strength when it is all gloomy. This also goes for extended Families. For some people, they have a very beautiful relationship with their extended family and you’d see them speak glowingly of their uncles, aunties, cousins and so on. There are people who are very distant family members but they still ensure to keep the ties of kinship and step in from time to time. I find this so amazing. When you meet some extended families and how close knit they are, you’d almost find yourself begging for a spot among them. It isn’t because they never have their misunderstandings or disagreements, but they always rise over it and believe that Family is everything. I see some of my friends start a new job or move to a new city or just have something good happening to them and when they narrate how it came to be , they would mention one family member or the other. It makes me very happy to see that indeed, Family members show up and show out for theirs. I aknowledge that not all families are this way and some are never helpful, but today , we speak of the helpful ones and we uphold them as the true gems they are. Don’t forget that regardless of the experience you have had, you have the opportunity to be better and contribute your quota in building healthy and close knit families when you are able to. When building your Social Capital, most times, the Family unit comes first because they are your immediate resource and go to, and what is this life if we do not have a solid Social capital? Mothers and Fathers and Sisters and brothers and Aunties and Uncles and Grandparents and Cousins do so much for one another and it cannot be overemphasized. God who created the Family unit truly had His reasons for doing so as we can see all around us. I know that the order of the day is that we should cut toxic family members off and we should not allow any ‘nonsense’from them. However, let us also ensure that we aren’t the toxic ones we speak of, and let’s try to cut our family members some slack and be quick to forgive them. Except they have repeatedly shown harmful behaviour that you just cannot cope with, please don’t keep them away. Please make peace with those you aren’t in good terms with even if you don’t want to be close to them. You can be at peace with people without necesarily seeing them every time or being in their space. Family is important! Seeing sisters and brothers be one another’s best friends and watching them go all out for one another brings me a special kind of joy. Cousins too, and any family member, really. There are people who look forward to country home  trips because they are eager to see and bond with their Family members because of how beautiful the existing relationship is. These are the things I love to see! Today, we are going to define what Family means to us and how they have come through for us at one point or the other.Let’s share beautiful Family stories. I’ll be back. OBA

Comments (34)

  1. Adewole Zainab olabisi

    November 8, 2022

    Very beautiful Write up
    ❤️❤️❤️

  2. Uchenna

    November 8, 2022

    My family is truly a blessing to me. I am very family oriented. We are not perfect but one thing that stands out is that we will always come through for each other. We might be at loggerheads but don’t try us in public, we will stand together and chew you out.
    Love for each other got us through our grief when our dad passed away. We would cry together and in between just start laughing when we remember one of dad’s favourite sayings. Family is a bedrock to what i have truly become.
    I remember when I broke up with my ex and felt that the world had dealt me a blow, my sisters were my brain reset. There’s really a lot to say but the conclusion is… if you have a good family irrespective of your differences, treasure it.
    Memories of all we shared keeps me going on the hard days.

  3. Barakah Omodolapo

    November 8, 2022

    Family is the part of one’s life that is so significant and cannot be underrated. I am always thankful for the gift of my parents and my siblings for their constant support and advice

  4. Aminah

    November 8, 2022

    Grateful for family! I’m especially grateful for my parents and siblings because where and what would I be without them? Alhamdulillah!

  5. Anike

    November 8, 2022

    Family is a gift from ya rabbi that I will always be thankful for. I always tell my kids before anyone your family comes first so no matter what your sibling does to you make sure you sort it out and live in peace. May Allah make it easy for them and us all

    • November 9, 2022

      Your Family comes first!

  6. Ameenah

    November 8, 2022

    My Family is a blessing to me. My mum doesn’t mind going the extra mile just to put a smile on our faces, a little complain about any discomfort and she is already working on making me feel better .
    I was complaining recently about how I needed another job and she is already speaking to people she knows to ensure I get a better job.
    My father a very amazing man, I remembered when my mom travelled for a week to the village and we were just home with my dad . We were hungry and the plan was to buy from the food seller in front of the house like me normally do. He just stood up and said I am going to try and make something delicious for us to eat snd he went to the market alone and came back to make rice and stew. I still remember that day up till this very moment.
    My siblings are like my support system, we are always rooting for each other despite the little fights here and there.
    I am happy I have them in my life

    • November 9, 2022

      Aww just look at that example. God bless them

  7. Oiza

    November 8, 2022

    I have a close knitted family. When I count my blessings I count them twice. My dad will bend his back to ensure his kids are good good. He has extended that gesture to his grandson; always bringing and buying him things. My mum? She’s all shades of AMAZING. My siblings? God specifically gave me the best of siblings. So supportive, contented and I can’t trade them for anything in the world.

    Family is everything and I’m glad I have one ❤️❤️.

    • November 9, 2022

      Family is everything!

  8. Toyin

    November 8, 2022

    I am lucky to have a beautiful family. Indeed it is one of God’s blessings. My mom is so amazing. Its the way she goes all out for us all the time making sure that we never lack anything and we are okay. She is ever the optimistic person and for her nothing is impossible, the way she supports our dreams even when she doesn’t have the capacity she still gets things done. That woman is an achiever mehn! I pray that she lives very long and healthy life to reap the fruits of her labour. Family is indeed our shield in this world.

    • November 9, 2022

      That last sentence. Family is indeed a shield!

  9. Ope Shitta

    November 8, 2022

    What would I do without my family? My parents & brothers are the reason i still choose to do this life thing regardless of what I’ve been through, I’m super grateful for the gift of them and I don’t take their love for granted.
    Just thinking about my family, the sacrifices we’ve made for each other(there’s too many) & the love we share could make me shed a tear .
    My brothers are my best friends, we share everything & anything with each other, my parents are my support system that keeps coming through even though it’s not convenient for them.
    Everyday I pray that the almighty eases all of our affairs and keeps all of us longer.
    Looking forward to having a beautiful family of my own someday bi’ithnillah !

    • November 9, 2022

      I wish you a very beautiful family, hun

  10. Abdulraheem Hafsat

    November 8, 2022

    Family is indeed a big part of us,thank you for sharing Tolani,despite the headache my brothers give me,I don’t think I wld have transitioned effectively in my new career role without them,don’t even get me started on my mum,a huge supporter of all my life endeavors and my dad,my super man and my adviser

    • November 9, 2022

      I admire how close knit your family is. God bless you all

  11. Qawiyah

    November 8, 2022

    Family means everything to me and I pray not to break the ties of kinship. My family is the best gift from God and I am so grateful to God for the gift of them. The sacrifices my family has made for me cannot be over emphasized and I pray to repay them with the best. I will always cherished them regardless of whatever happens
    I can’t wait to have a family of my own too

    • November 9, 2022

      May God grant you a beautiful family

  12. Rukayat

    November 8, 2022

    My family my pride. Family is just everything. Is it the memories? good and bad. Is it the sacrifice? Is it the love and bond ? I am thankful and happy for the gift of my family.

    • November 9, 2022

      So thankful for you, sis

  13. Khaleesi

    November 8, 2022

    I’m So thankful for my family, we got each other and we are each other’s number 1 cheerleader… I say My Family is everything, and really that’s what they are…

    • November 9, 2022

      Family is indeed everything

  14. Khadijah

    November 8, 2022

    I have an amazing family and I am grateful for the gift of them. I remember praying for a marriage like my parents’ and a family like ours and I’m grateful to God for answered prayers thus far.

    • November 9, 2022

      Allah does listen! Thankful for you.

  15. Teefah 🦋

    November 8, 2022

    Family is everything! I’m so grateful for my family.

    • November 9, 2022

      Pretty sure they are grateful for you too

  16. Temitope

    November 8, 2022

    Family is everything, I love my relationship with my siblings a lot. I’m also trying to create a safe space for my marriage family. Thank you for today’s message

    • November 9, 2022

      May God make it easy for you, love

  17. Kheffytee

    November 9, 2022

    Family is an integral part of me and I love the ones I call my own. Come rain, come shine, they are always there with the slogan ” No matter how tough it is outside, remember to always come back because we would be here waiting to wrap our hands around u”. These words makes me feel loved always and I sure do love my BB’s and my Amope

    • November 9, 2022

      I love your family!

  18. Rukkie

    November 9, 2022

    Family!!!!!!!! Family is everything to me. I don’t take my family for granted. Where do I even start from? Is it my mom or my dad? Or my sister ? They mean the world to me. And I’m certain we’d go to the end of the world for each other. Alhamdulillah for my family.

  19. Kamilah

    November 10, 2022

    Family is sacred and I am grateful for the one Almighty has blessed me with, I can’t talk about my blessings or victory and mention my family.

    • November 10, 2022

      Family is indeed sacred

  20. Beebah

    November 16, 2022

    One of my greatest blessings in life is my Family. And I’m talking about not just my nuclear but extended family. Everyone comes through for everybody and you’d almost not know who is who’s child. I remember how my Mum, Aunties and Uncle took turns to get us things during Sallah growing up. Someone would buy ‘And co’ clothes for all the grandchildren, another person was responsible for taking all of us to the Almighty Mr Biggs then, someone else got accessories like watch and those colorful glasses and another person would get matching shoes and sandals.
    It’s so beautiful that even till now, everybody still supports one another that way and it’s so beautiful to see.
    May we all raise beautiful families too. Amen

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