The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life.
Richard Bach, Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah
This quote, attributed to Richard Bach, speaks to the idea that family is much more than blood relations. A true family isn’t determined by biology, but by the respect and joy shared by its members.
This idea of family transcends traditional boundaries, enabling people of diverse backgrounds and relationships to form strong bonds that can bring a great deal of joy and comfort. It also gives us an opportunity to expand our sense of family outside the traditional nuclear family. We can embrace people of different ethnic backgrounds, family structures, and personalities and create a new kind of family.
The idea of family being based more on respect and joy than just blood relation also throws a twist on more common uses of the word “family.” While it’s common to refer to people in a business, club, or other setting as “co-workers,” Richard Bach’s quote suggests that members of the same team could also be seen as part of a shared family. After all, when people come together in a shared cause, they often show the same kind of camaraderie and joy for each other’s successes as traditional families.
The idea of family isn’t limited to human relationships, either. Many people consider their pets to be part of the family. And why not? We care for them, enjoy their company, and cherish the unconditional love they show us regardless of our shape, color, or background. They can teach us an important lesson – that being a family member is about much more than the blood that binds us.
About the author
Richard Bach is an American author best known for his book Jonathan Livingston Seagull. He has also written a number of critically acclaimed novels, including Illusions, A Gift of Wings, and Bridge Across Forever. His body of work speaks to the power of exploration, creativity, and courage in the face of life’s struggles. His writing is imbued with a deep spiritual philosophy, encouraging readers to break free of the everyday and explore the intangible. Through his words, Bach has encouraged countless people to make their dreams a reality, no matter how uncertain and far-off they may seem. Despite his struggles with personal demons, Bach’s inspiring works continue to resonate with readers long after his death.
Richard Bach’s words about family can be seen as part of his overarching philosophy about life, creativity, and exploration. For him, family wasn’t determined by genetics, but by the respect and love shared between its members. This idea has only grown in relevance over the years, as we are increasingly exposed to new kinds of family bonds and diverse backgrounds. Richard Bach’s timeless quote has encouraged millions of people to create strong and meaningful family bonds with those they care about, regardless of biology. For that, he will always be remembered.
