Previously on this subject, we established that the search for the meaning of life isn't farther from anyone of us, it lies within us even in our day-to-day activities as we travel on the journey of life. It was also established that there are three main sources of finding meaning to life, which are (1) Love (2) Family (3) Work. Among these, we explained in detail how love is important in finding joy and fulfillment in life. We discussed that it is only in the presence of love that we can feel secured and truly felt a genuine sense of belonging. In the presence of our lover or spouse, we can be naked and no be ashamed. Our weakness and struggle to survive are being received with open arms by whom from which we can be the best version of ourselves, for here we are truly secured. The search for the meaning of life shouldn't make us get out of ourselves, for they reside deeply in us and love, then becomes the key to unlock this meaning. Closely related to love is family, which is the second source of meaning in life. We intend to discuss in detail the importance of family as a source of meaning to life.
Family
The first thing to know about why families are so important and meaningful is that they are centers of unashamed favoritism otherwise known as nepotism. Emotional nepotism or favoritism is a crucial aspect of the family that keeps the family together. Although we see nepotism as a very negative thing in society, we cannot deny the fact that it is a crucial aspect of the family that bound parents to their children, and siblings together. A father must think towards his children and also brothers and sisters think emotionally towards each other. No one would prefer an outsider to a family member in a time of choosing whom to place in a position even when an outsider is most qualified for the position. This doesn't begin here, it all started from the time of our birth. Despite the millions of other children in the world, who are better looking and healthier than us, our parents and wider family decided to take care of us devoting huge amounts of time, love, and money to our well being. Most of us were born with disabilities and yet our parents took us in their arms with preference. Not because we had done anything to deserve it, we were barely capable of holding a spoon let alone saying hello at that time but they hold on to us simply because we were related to them.
This kind of favoritism or you can call it nepotism makes it possible to forgive character-based misdemeanors and ensure unpleasant traits will be overlooked. Within this family emotional nepotism, it becomes possible to find support from parents even as we rant and rage against their rules. Children find forgiveness for offenses committed again and again till infinity. And again it becomes very hard for children to deny their parents for failing to live up to expectations, and they will for the same reason lookout for their flailing parents. Within the family, we have a deep sense of belonging which is not based on our beliefs or accomplishments but on something that can not be revoked, the essence of our birth. The family stands as the only place where we cannot be sacked even if we failed to measure up to expectations. In a world where our jobs are in the hands of others and we are being judged here and there by almost everyone for every little fault, we know at least in our family we can't be sacked even if we failed woefully in our jobs or careers. The family is a source of huge emotional relief from the judgment of this world. No matter how competent we might be there are going to be some areas where we are failing and we definitely need someone or some people to be patient with our failings and give us a second chance, a third chance, and maybe even a fourth and stay by our side even though we do not merit it. Only within the family, we can find such support, not because they are blind to our failings and weaknesses but they just don't want to use them against us.
Families allow us to live commonly among members with a disregard for failure and success. Within the family, it may not really matter how badly you have failed or how well you are successful in the matter of money and work outside the family. The son who becomes a bank CEO is probably not going to be loved with much preference any more than the brother who sells bread and butter in a stall at the local market. The common life within the family makes it easier for us to tease each other without any regard for the position anyone of us occupies in society. Family is the place where everyone truly become equal without fear of prejudice and victimization. We can laugh, play, and tease one another as we have ever done from childhood. The bonds are endless.
Our family members are the only people in the whole world who probably knew us deeply and understand key aspects of our lives. They have foundational knowledge about us. They might not know our present status of friendship due to adulthood but they were there when we were born and growing up as kids. They knew our innate characters and the underlying aspect of our lives that others probably won't know. We can be different in the family and yet our differences are often overlooked. Something that we cannot get in the world. With a republican and a capitalist both sitting and chatting over a meal and a Barca fan sitting side by side with a Real Madrid fan on the same sofa playing ludo games, the family, therefore, represent a place of safe strangeness. The only place where our differences don't stand on our way to happiness and peace. Truly families' lives worth meaningful lives.
Most families are harsh, not supportive and forgive able. This is the bitter truth and it would be good not to pretend as if a family is the best that can happen to you. It's what 'they' say and preach, not the reality, unfortunately.