Everyone Wants to be Wanted

From a pre-school child to an american president, CEO to convict, aetheist to astronaut - we all have an intrinsic desire to belong; somewhere, or to something. rnThe most basic and important of these things we can (or want to) belong to is a family. It is our primary support facility, no matter what type of endeavours we undertake in life. Be it in business, our education, or even our personal relationships - we all want the backing of our families. rnActually it goes deeper than that. We need our family. The absolute truth is that without them, none of us would even exist to begin with. No matter if you were one of many children born into a large family with two parents very much in love; or the unplanned child of a solo parent: everybody started somewhere. rnThe fact is that life can be hard. Not everyone has the same background or opportunities. Some people are born into caring, protective and positive families, where love abounds and help is always close at hand. Others may not be as fortunate, growing up in less positive environments where abuse, violence and disdain may be the norm. In some cases, a person may be brought up in a good loving family but lose them for some reason, whether it be through accident, illness or myriad other situational factors. rnAs an intelligent and compassionate society, we have a moral obligation (if not a personal commitment) to supplement the support for those less fortunate than ourselves; or at least to make that support accessible to them. The deeper our personal commitment, the more forthcoming we will be with that support. Some people may be more hands-on, and donate their personal time to the support of others - other people may be more protective of their own time but willing to give in a financial sense.rnWhichever position we as individuals take, the act of giving (time and/or money) can be rewarding both for benefactor and beneficiary. The old adage, it is better to give than receive comes to mind.rnI am also reminded of the golden rule I was taught as a child, that was to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.rnAs it is in our larger community, so it also is in our own families.rnA rational person is always there for their sisters, brothers, parents and children, just as a responsible member of the community is there for the elderly woman crossing a busy street, or the lost child in a large department store.rnWe, as caring and balanced people, need the support of our family, whatever form that family may take, and we also receive benefit from giving that support, by way of feelings of satisfaction and recognition from those we help that we have infact made their life a bit easier. Feelings of compassion can be strong on both sides, and relational bonds strengthened, each and every time we help one another out.