So many times, you will hear from someone that they are so and
so. Oh. We are from the xyz family. They would say. Our family
is famous for this and this, they would add. Family and a strong
sense of belonging to a common surname are important to many of
us. Even is some one's great great grandfather or mother was
distantly related to the monarch of that country or a very rich
family, ages ago, people remember that and recollect that fact
with pride. Common blood stream coming down the ages makes a big
difference to a lot of us. Leave aside common people, even in
this modern age, kings and queens are decided by heredity and
not by qualities.
I will talk of an imaginary situation. Say, I have cousin of
mine, who I meet once a year, And I have a friend of mine, with
who I share all my successes and failures and meet at least once
a week. If a quirk of fate drowns both and I am given the choice
of saving only one of them, who shall I chose? My decision will
be dependent on my sense of belonging to common family and the
value I put to my friendship. This decision may be tough to
make, but I will have to make it and live with it for the rest
of my life. What would you do, if such a situation arises in
your life?
Is mankind logical animal? Do we behave and act in ways that are
governed by certain rules? No! We all have our own rules, and
values. We all look at the same situation very differently. Our
reactions are very different during the times, when it comes to
crux. I have seen examples where, if the men of two families
break their friendship, both the families follow. Every body
says bye to the other family, as if every other relationship of
friendship that was shared amongst the members of both the
families never mattered!
It all depends on one's values. It also depends on the values of
a nation. Citizens of a nation talk of the royal family in a
hushed tone, watch over their every movement, look at all the
pluses and minuses. Why? The smallest kid of the royal family
becomes a celebrity right from the birth. Why? It all boils down
to values.
Before this discussion gets more in to talk of only family, let
us all remember that for many of us friendships matter more than
ties of blood. Qualities are more important than inheritance.
For many of us the most important factor is the person and not
any other tag attached with that person.
|
Categories 
