Just say the word family out loud. I'll bet that one word conjures up all kinds of images in your head.

Raise your hand if you think there is some kind of dysfunction in your family. Statistics state that dysfunction is the new norm these days. Do you know someone in your family sure to cause a ruckus at a wedding, get too drunk at a reunion or tell everyone off at a funeral?

I'm sitting here thinking about what my family means to me and believe me we can be just as strange as the next. My definition has changed over the years as I most certainly have. Now, I define family as Friends And Mentors Intentionally Loving You.

Life experiences have taught me to widen my radius of folks to include in my family, people to laugh, cry and share my life with. Having grown up with a narrow limited view from my community, as I began to travel the world I quickly realized how lonely life would be if I did not let others in. Today my family includes all races and nationalities of people.

How can you improve relationships with members of your family? Simply stop expecting or hoping they will become what they are not and love them anyway.

My sister, as hard as I try, will not call me more than once or twice a year usually for my birthday and she never writes. I used to get hurt, angry, frustrated until I learned not to take it so personally. Now I have added a close friend to my family who likes to remember and call me for all the small special occasions in my life. This allows me to maintain a good relationship with my sister which is not centered around resentment. I get the chance to love and learn from both of them.

If your family doesn't seem to be all that they can be. Let go of that perfect picture in your mind. Stop holding others accountable for your happiness. Start adding good friends and safe mentors who help fill in the gaps for you.

In this way you will attract support, you will attract Friends And Mentors who will Intentionally Love You.

Would you like to learn exciting ways to build new and repair old bridges in your relationships? Why not start by remembering those you care about with a greeting card.

You can send free greeting cards in the mail (not e-cards) from your computer at http://motivatingmessages.ning.com/.