Family is one of those words that I think has lost its oomph. Everyone thinks they know what it means and it seems to me it's hard to use the word without inducing sleepiness.
Funny, because clearly the concept has dozens of possible uses. The family of people you choose to surround yourself with. Your spiritual family. Family of origin. Blended family. And then of course there's always La Familia.
Here's a little quote that makes me think differently again about family - in a meta sense of the word. Does this usage make you sleepy?
From Finding Oprah's Roots:
"Knowing your family history is knowing your worth - your whole worth. And I don't mean monetary value.
It's about everything that everybody gave up for you. It allows you to know what your mama went through, your grandmama went through, your great-grandmama went through, your grandfathers.
It lets you know that you've been paid for - that there are lots of people who came before you who would have liked to have had what you have. I think about this all the time - you know, my ancestors could not have imagined the life that I now lead but for the work that they did that prepared the way."
Coaching questions that may be of interest:
I know my ancestors didn't live their lives for me, but in what way did what they did with their time lead to something (a place, a time, a context or opportunity) that allows me to do something unique with my turn at bat?
Am I putting my life to good use, from the eyes of the family members that have come before me?
Will my life the way I'm living it be of use to the family that is to come next?
Forget everyone else, am I living too much for everyone else? What about me?