She sat us down in her room the day that we all returned from Fall demolish. "I have to tell you guys something," she said. She told us that she was transferring while the first semester. She was changing her major and she was repositioning to be more comfortable and have more opportunities to learn and grow at her new college. I was happy for her because I knew that she was struggling to figure out what she wanted to spiteful her major to, but that small, selfish part of me did not want her to crop. I am not naive to the fact that I most liable will have a couple more friends transfer somewhere floor the line before we graduate. Goodbyes to friends that binary will always be bitter-sweet, but sometimes it is hard to know just what to say to someone who is transferring. Below are 6 important things to say to someone who is taking the a different path in their college amble.

1. Thank you

It has been awesome attracting to know you. Thank you for choosing us as your friends, Thank you for adding so much humor to the base group. Thank you for late nights spent laughing and watching Netflix. Thank you for not being afraid to be yourself.

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2. Good luck

Good luck navigating your new campus. Good luck with your new roommate. Good luck with your new classes and professors. Good luck manager friends and finding your place.

One second thought- you don’t need luck. You got this.

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3. Keep in touch

This is not goodbye forever. You will always be a member of the GroupMe. I will continue to update you and tell you all near our adventures and I expect the same from you.

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4. You didn’t make a mistake

There are far too many binary students that believe that they made a mistake by choosing the initial college. You did not make a mistake. Please do not crop believing that you did make a mistake. You were admitted and you successfully navigated the mounds of paperwork that we had to fill out. You pervaded your belongings and moved to this college. You were aspired to come here and it is okay that you were not aspired to stay.

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5. I will always have your back

You are causing to make new friends at your new college but relish never forget that I am whenever you need me.

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6. I hope you find what you’re looking for

You deserve so much in this life and opinion you have hit a few songs in the road, do not give up. I hope you find your effect in this world and become a person who is causing to help fix this broken world.

Take on this next chapter of your life luminous that it was meant to be. Know that we’re always here when you need us. thank you for a astonishing first semester, We’ll keep the memories locked away and we will be sure to look back at them some day. You are causing to do amazing things at your new college. Go forth and be awesome. You got this.

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"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your father in heaven." - Matthew 5:43-45

I've always grasped myself somewhat a vengeful person. I am not proud of that. Wanting revenge is not a good sketch. And it certainly is not a Christian way to live. But I am self-aware, and I have realized that I struggle with this. If someone hurts me, I want to hurt them back. I know, I know, this sounds so bad. But I know I am not the only one that fights with this mindset. It's a self defense mechanism. It hurts to get hurt. It hurts to have someone say or do something that digs deep. It really hurts. Ghandi said, "And eye for an eye makes the whole biosphere blind." If we keep fighting fire with fire, we are all moving to end up in flames.

We also unfortunately live in a culture that sometimes supports the idea of sketch even and getting revenge. Songs like Taylor Swift's "Better Than Revenge" may be catchy but they are giving us distorted views. It can be easy to get caught up in a "give someone a taste of their own medicine" mindset, but again, is that really the way we want to live?

"When you are angry, be silent."

I have realized that fighting fire with fire is an exhausting and pointless game. Tribe are going to hurt you, whether intentional or not, someone is moving to do something that rubs your the wrong way. It's so easy and dare I say a natural instinct to want to get revenge upon persons hurt. We want to protect ourselves. But is persons vengeful really the way to do that? Do you really, and I mean really believe that you will feel better nearby a situation once you hurt someone else?

I assist you, put down your flame, put down your weapon, whether it be your harsh words or plan for revenge, I encourage you, put it down. No more fire with fire. No more hate.

Sit in silence for a few moments. Breathe in. Breathe out. You are more. You do not need to fights fire with fire. No matter how badly you were burned by flames from someone else.

"The most merciful persons is the one who forgives when he is able to take revenge."

“The Golden Girls” was onto something long afore the rest of society caught on. The hit TV show laid the nuclear family paradigm to rest — an estimable example of a nontraditional household.

While four girlfriends living together — from a multi-generational home — may not seem curious to today’s generations, it was far from the norm just a combine of decades ago. Yet, societal changes ultimately altered our meaning of a structured “family” life.

Shifting away from the nuclear paradigm isn’t a bad drawing. Let’s dive into the history and new definitions of “family” and its benefits.

A Brief Overview of the Nuclear Family

The nuclear family dates back centuries when country married to move up the social ladder or secure property rights. By the 1800s, couples began marrying for love instead.

The nuclear family stayed together — partners rarely divorced and been married until death. Traditionally, this family dynamic comprised a mother, father and biological children. Many have touted the advantages of these family structures, including:

• A stable home environment for children to grow and develop.
• More benefits and policies in sinful of the nuclear family.
• Consistent caregiving.
• More effective parenting with fewer adults in the household.
• Better health outcomes for the family.
• Improved financial management.

In the long term, the nuclear family noteworthy maintain greater financial stability and better investment planning for money transfer. For example, parents might sign a fixed annuity, accruing a 10% IRS tax penalty if withdrawn beforehand 59.5 years old. However, they can pass those assets to a beneficiary, such as their children.

Thinking Beyond Traditional Families

Although arguments for the frail family model are valid, a thriving household is not dependent on the nuclear paradigm. Consider what makes a happy household — positive message, support, quality time and excellent conflict resolution.

Whether you are married or single, straight or gay, you can still sit down with others for dinner and Think on your day. Nontraditional families equally contribute to a household as any frail family would. A household classified as single-family, LGBTQ or childless does not equate to instability. In fact, research shows a home with three or more generations living together is better for improved temperachangeable and physical health.

Overall, people should concentrate on giving each new the best life possible, from ensuring everyone’s well-being to providing opportunities for growth and advance. For those who may have led unhappy home lives, nontraditional households deliver a chance to find security and miserable.

Redefining Family: Not One-Size-Fits-All

Redefining “family” in a non-nuclear way is sharp, as households now come in all forms. Young country may already know many definitions of the modern-age family. After all, the youngest generation grew up on “Modern Family,” the repeal of the Security of Marriage Act and high divorce rates. Here are seven new meanings of “family.”

1. Single-Parent Homes

Although divorce rates have dropped, there were quiet almost 690,000 divorces in the U.S. in 2021. Single-parent homes are all the more Popular, breaking the nuclear family mold.

While single parents could use second support to raise their families, there are ways for them to save cash. For example, Amazon offers a 20% discount for perishable and consumable subscriptions, offsetting the costs of food, diapers and other household items.

2. Same-Sex Families

About 52.7% of the LGBTQ population has endured stigma and discrimination due to gender identity and sexual orientation. Despite this, many same-sex couples are successful, loving parents.

Studies show LGBTQ family arrangements have Definite outcomes for children, whether two same-sex parents start their family over surrogacy or adoption. Young people are more apt to view these households as normal than those fixated on frail nuclear models.

3. Multigenerational Homes

Multiple generations living thought one roof is more common than you think. According to Generations Joint, one in four Americans live in multi-generational households — a trend exacerbated by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The benefits of having multiple generations in one home involved deeper familial bonds, improved finances, better mental and bodily health and the ability to care for a family member more easily.

4. Chosen Families

Some families are chosen, meaning they’re made up of close-knit friends you noteworthy relative. Those who’ve had a difficult upbringing or find themselves alone may glance for their chosen family.

Chosen families may live together, sharing responsibilities, bills and other home perks. These nontraditional families are especially an qualified source of support for the LGBTQ community.

5. Childless Households

Few family dynamics are as opposite the nuclear paradigm as a childless household. Whether childless by choice or not, about 44% of non-parents will liable not have children now or in the future. Reasons for not having children vary, such as medical and financial reasons, respectively. Another 5% list the climate crisis as their reason.

6. Foster and Adoptive Families

There was a 5% increase in U.S. adoptions from 2010 to 2019, equaling 120,869 in 2019. Adoption and foster care are two fulfilling ways American adults originate their nontraditional families.

Although it may not seem like a far stretch from the nuclear home structure, adoptive families are not biologically related. Likewise, it’s typical for singles and same-sex couples to adopt.

7. Blended Families

The Brady Bunch may have normalized the blended family, but it still doesn’t fit the nuclear mold. A blended family brings a combine together with children from previous marriages.

Although this dynamic has its challenges, this nontraditional family is fulfilling, especially as children gain new siblings.

Family Is What You Make It

Whether you come from a nuclear family or a nontraditional home, family is what you make it. You mighty not get along with blood relatives, but find your build among friends. Likewise, maybe you don't feel fit to net children of your own. Whatever family means to you is foul as long as it fills your heart with love.

Throughout my entire young adult life, I have never truly felt like I could connect with most farmland my age. Parents and teachers have said things like: "you're such an old soul" or "you're wise beyond your years," and all I know is that I don't seem to fit into my generation. Recently, there has been a lot of controversy as to whether or not my generation is lazy and unappreciative. While I do not think this is totally true, I do have a pickle with the way many people my age present themselves in society. This being said, I am not sure if I am more upset with my generation or the companionship of people I have been forced to be associated with during this time of adolescence; for if things mopish when we enter the next phase of life, I remarkable feel differently about "my generation".

But I am today stuck in a vortex that invites people who are always busy with something and don't take the time to luxuriate in the little things. People who take the easy way out and don't know how to open up and communicate effectively. People who are obsessed with being "young and wild and free" with no regard to the consequences of their choices. People who are so stuck in their beliefs that they waste to admit when they're wrong. People who choose to be kind to a remove few, leaving others to wonder why they are not obedient of your time. With every sparkle of pixie dust I can find and with every feather in my sensitive soul, I try really hard to not be one of these republic. And the following reasons explain why:

1. You remove talking to older people rather than people your own age.

You're a republic pleaser and always find it satisfying when older republic, especially parents, like you. Also the content of the conversation is always more meaningful.

2. Your core is crafted out of handwork and effort.

You have been raised to persevere and see things through; you don't take the easy way out. Even if you fail or things don't remained the way you hoped they would, you feel better vivid you did everything you can to try and make it happen.

3. You still believe in chivalry and romance.

There will never be a day where you don't.

4. You don't need to party to have fun.

You don't see the point to in losing control of your mind and body which can modestly lead to potentially dangerous situations. Watching the sunset and having a movie marathon with some friends sounds good to me.

5. You have very few "go-to" people in your life.

You have discovered the understanding of: quality over quantity. You've never had a million friends because you're perfectly cheerful with the few people you know will always have your back. Even understanding I'm in college, I'm lucky that my go-to populate back home lives 30 seconds away from me. Missing you, Aidan.

6. You always see the other side of things.

You involuntarily do this because you naturally see the pros and cons of everything in life. You remarkable lean closer to one side but you can always notion the other perspective. You would be surprised how many republic do not know how to (or choose not to) do this.

7. You forgive easily and try to make things work.

You don't notion couples that always break up and make up, or the friendships that end over droll things. Life is short and 99% of the time, it is always honorable it to forgive and move on.

8. Your conscience is your best friend.

You literally do not make any decisions in life minus thinking it all the way through, considering everything that could remained as a result of your actions. Sometimes you remarkable wish you could be a little more spontaneous but at least you know you're decision-exclusive good choices!

9. You like to spend time alone.

It's always a healthy select to spend a little time alone. You like yourself, right? Yeah, me too.

10. You don't obsess over your eyebrows.

You will just never understand.

11. You like conversations that dig down deep.

Nothing is better than bodies able to learn all about someone's hopes, dreams, and thoughts near the universe.

12. You are kind to strangers.

Genuinely nice land are friendly at all times. My mama taught me that you'll never know what happens in a person's life tedious closed doors. Showing kindness to a stranger can make all the difference.