Back in the days of old, family and friends were people you could trust, people who would give their right arm and left leg for you if need be; those days are long since gone. Whatever happened to blood being thicker than water? Today families are growing more and more apart because of our lifestyles and daily activities. Now don't get me wrong, there are still a lot of families out there that get together every Sunday afternoon for a cook-out, or for big family reunions. But these happenings are becoming few and far between.

Everyone has their own agenda these days and it seems even our children don't have time for mom and dad with modern technology at their disposal. What's becoming even more frustrating is that not only does everyone have their own agenda, but people are more selfish and out for themselves. I hate to say it, but it's rare when you find someone "paying it forward" for either a family member or friend; even a stranger.

Although favortism still existed way back when, it's growing at a rapid pace more than ever now. Families all have their "cliques" who at every family gathering tend to huddle more together and exclude others. They sit around gossiping about another family member and downing them because of the lifestyle they choose to live or can't help to live at the moment, or because of the way they discipline their children; why? Aren't families supposed to be there for one another to support and uplift one another? What makes them any better?

It so sad to think that flesh and blood would backstab another family member like this, isnt it? I once heard a preacher say that sometimes with family and friends like that, you had to just love them from a distance. I've actually taken that advice myself, and you know it's so sad that one has to do that. Everyone has something they don't like about themselves. Everyone has something that's not perfect in their life. We all hit dry spots and fruitful ones. But you know family members bickering and fighting all the time, isn't going to help matters any. This is partially the reason why so many people suffer from depression and anxiety; they have no one to help them through the tough times, no one to uplift them and set aside all negativites.

 A silly question crossed my mind, "Why do we have families and teach our children morals if no ones willing to accept it? Does that make sense?

Everyone wants to be someone else; live a fantasy life... that's why fantasy movies do so well... because everyone wants to step out of reality.

If you were stranded two hours away from home with nothing but a cell phone, who could you call that would drop everything they were doing at that moment to bring you everything you needed and help you out? Think about it for a few minutes and be honest. You might think, I know ten people right off the top of my head who would do that for me... but would they really if they were in the middle of moving, cutting grass, a soccer game, a concert. Would they just drop what they were doing to come to your aid? Would you do it for someone? If you say you would, you know your probably kidding yourself, but if you would... I want you for a friend!

What can we do to help? It's hard question for some because some people may not be ready to give up being selfish, or ready to sacrifice something. But, really if we could all make an effort to be positive and take a step back, look and asses things, that's already a big improvement. Don't play favorites, don't be apart of the "cliques" at family or friends parties, don't be quick to cast judgement and gossip... bite your tongue and observe. Be the bigger person and be ready to bless someone. Have you ever heard that old saying, "You never know when you might be helping an Angel." I grew up hearing that all the time, and even sometimes I forget it. But really if we can at least remember that five times a day, it might stick and we might find ourselves changing and becoming someones hero one day.