Protecting the Pride

A lion has more than one kind of pride to look out for.

The pride I'm contemplating right now, is not dignity nor is it satisfaction in something. It's the big giant family that a lion belongs to.

Often we hear talk of 'chosen family' versus 'blood or birth family' and today I'm rather concerned for my blood 'pride'... the one I was born into.

I've done well to separate myself from much of my family's troubles. I love my family, I really do. I just don't love the drama and the trauma and so I keep a safe distance.


Today I learned some very unsettling news about a family member. Someone who, although I love her, I have long given up on. Maybe that's mean or wrong, or whatever it is... but I chose long ago to live a life that's happy and healthy for ME and that means not dragging this person's horrible, unhealthy and sad life into mine. Maybe it's just further indication that leaving the 'born into' pride was the best thing for me, but I'm sad.


I'm also incredibly and unbelievably aware in this moment of how blessed I am. I hate for anyone to struggle. I hate for someone that I love to be so down and out. I've been hoping and waiting for a 'rock bottom' day to happen, and even with what I've learned today I'm not convinced that rock bottom was found. I don't know if she'll ever be well, safe, happy or able to take proper care of herself.

Despite the yucky feeling that this news gave me, I choose to allow life's little let downs be a lesson or a moment of reflective truth whenever possible. I just hope that the answers I need come magically from no where so I can feel even more at peace.