Your True Family
By Rev. Tony Senf

We have all had people in our lives who we felt were more like our sister, brother, father, mother, son or daughter than our biological counterparts. This is not only common, it is quite natural. A quote from the book, Illusions, goes like this: “The bond that links your True Family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.” In other words, our “True Family” includes friendships or connections we have made over an extended time period – loved ones from many different times and places in our lives.

Our “True Family” in no way takes away from the importance of our biological family. In fact, many times members of our biological family are an important part of our True Family. On the other hand, there are also those of us who have no ties to our biological family and we derive all of the love and support, validation and guidance that are part of the family dynamic from a True Family.

True Family members come in all forms – from an unlimited range of backgrounds and personalities – and they play an array of roles. Some are our playmates. We love to have fun with them on the golf course, at the lake, camping, boating, skiing, exercising, jogging and sharing that energetic part of ourselves. We can converse with them about our desires to press on and have our lives progress and advance in order to stay ahead of the game. Others share our hearts. They are there to lend an ear when we need to talk or sort things out. They listen with a compassionate ear and can relate to our experiences. Sometimes they support our point of view, and other times they help us look at a situation differently. They may serve as sounding boards when we just are not sure about how to look at something. Some True Family members always seem to have a way of drawing the solution from within us, as opposed to just giving us advice or telling us what to do.

Whether we need to play with our “brothers” and “sisters” like we did as children, or confide in them as grown-ups, or whether we seek guidance from “Mom” or “Dad,” who aid us in life – all are available in our True Family. All we need is the desire to be an active member of the family and do our part.

Most True Family members come into our life through a common interest – sports, hobbies, professions, talents, activities, diversions or volunteer work – and many times we discover them through experiencing a challenge. Many True Family members have been “born,” so to speak, in the midst of a challenge or crisis – such as when people meet through an organization that is helping people with common challenges. It is in times of difficulty that we often realize a deeper sense of True Family when we bond with others.

True Family is facilitated by a connection that says, “Your interests are akin to mine…your needs are akin to mine…your desires are akin to mine. In some way, we are alike.” The similarities at the depths of our being unite us with the members of our True Family and generate the bond that stimulates the connectedness that engenders the oneness. It is the depth of this 'relationship' that inspires some to believe that the True Family connection transcends the biological one and exists on a level beyond the physical, in the realm of the metaphysical. Beyond the biological, beyond the cellular, is a connection that sometime is referred to as soul mates. This term is not limited to “that special someone;” it describes all who assist us in our human journey. Many have heard the adage, “We are spiritual beings going through a human experience.” This journey through the human experience culminates with our awakening to our true spiritual nature. A soul mate, a True Family member, is anyone who assists and supports us in this journey.

Perhaps this is why spirit-based organizations, regardless of their religious affiliation, can produce a community that exemplifies the nature, attributes and characteristics of the “family.” This community of people supports each other through life's challenges, joins in the celebration of births and birthdays, graduations, rites of passage, weddings and commitment ceremonies. This family encourages the expression and use of the many talents possessed by its individual members. They learn they can rely on each other as they experience the joy of helping others. This is a family dedicated to the growth and prosperity, healing and happiness of its members. Of course, as in all families, there may be some real characters or obstinate ones; a family would not be complete without them! But they do serve the purpose of helping others see more clearly what it is they each need to work on within themselves. In this family, each one is appreciated and loved for his/her contributions.

Perhaps you are seeking a deeper sense of family. You may be separated from your biological family by distance, their passing or maybe a grievance. Maybe you just have a desire or a need to expand your sense of family, or maybe you feel like you have no family at all. In any case, please know that one is waiting for you. Seek it in the spiritual community that calls to your heart. One thing to keep in mind is that the happiest and the closest families are those that minimize guilt and accentuate love.

No one is really without a family. Our True Family is all around us, perhaps only waiting to be discovered. We simply have to be open and willing to assume our role.

Rev. Tony is the founder of The Miracle Center and New Era Network, a transformational training organization. He began his first two years of serious spiritual study as a Baptist seminary student and then made the leap into metaphysics. He currently is working on his Doctorate in that field. Rev. Tony currently serves as associate minister at Unity Center Church in Cleveland Heights and facilitates study groups each week on A Course In Miracles in Stow, Chesterland and Cleveland Heights. Beyond Forgiveness and Creating A Holy Relationship are two of the weekend intensives also facilitated by Rev. Tony. For more information call (440) 546-1519 or go to www.TheMiracleCenterOnline.org.