Do you ever get the feeling that something is coming, but you are not sure what it is? You can sense it…the air around you is not quite right but you can feel the change coming. That is how I feel right now. It has more to do with my family more than it does me, I think. I’ve tried to remain positive and stay in prayer, and I still feel it. So this is the next step, I guess…to write it all out.

I am the big sister; so it is human nature that I would be the responsible one, the one who is the mature and independent one. I have often wondered how in the world could I be such a complete 180 from my younger sibling…we are polar opposites. You would think that eventually, the younger one would realize that eventually he would have to begin to do for himself…not this one. My younger brother still lives at home with my mother and still holds onto the belief that he should be taken care of. I know part of that is my fault, but the time has come for him to let that go.

I won’t speak bad of my brother, but the fact is that he has not learned to have accountability for himself. He does not know how to be responsible for himself. I find that most of the people his age have this lack of character, though. I am surrounded by these younger people at my job and I tell you, it absolutely infuriates me that younger generation believes that something is owed to them. Not all of them, because I know some 20-somethings that are enterprising and motivated, so there is still hope. The lack of work ethic that I see on a daily basis though is frightening.

My brother is in a position now where he either has to sink or swim, fight or flight. he has burned so many bridges and turned so many people off with his laziness and victim attitude that now he can’t find anyone who will lend a hand. I look at him and I am immediately saddened because he has wasted good jobs because he would rather party than work. Now it seems as if he can’t get a job (that bad reputation following him around), and he is just lost. I feel for him, but I also think there is nothing I can do for him. He often whines that no one will help him; I say, help yourself and help will come to you. He often wants to compare my relationship with my family to his relationship. It is not the same. I make the effort; he does not. He expects something for nothing…I give so I receive. Again, we are polar opposites.

I love him to death…he’s my baby brother. And everything that I’ve said here, I’ve said to him so I don’t feel bad. What makes me feel bad is that I don’t think that even in the face of failure, even in the throes of being nothing, he still won’t understand that a lesson is trying to get through to him. And that is breaking my heart.

I believe-
That we don’t have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I believe-
That no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while and, you must forgive them for that.

I believe-
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I believe-
That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I believe-
That it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe-
That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I believe-
That you can keep going long after you can’t.

I believe-
That we are responsible for what  we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe-
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe-
That regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.

I believe-
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I believe-
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I believe-
That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time!

I believe-
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I believe-
That sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.

I believe-
That just because someone doesn’t love you the way you want them to doesn’t mean they don’t love you with all they have.

I believe-
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.

I believe-
That it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe-
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn’t stop for your grief.

I believe-
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I believe-
That just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other,  And just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do.

I believe-
That you shouldn’t be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I believe-
That two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I believe-
That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don’t even know you.

I believe-
That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

I believe-
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I believe-
That the people you care about most in life are the essence of life. Tell them today how much you love them and what they mean to you.

~ taken from www.rogerknapp.com