Question: “Hi , can you give me ideas on wordings so that i can run for my family members as a whole — and be as effective as doing it individually. It really stresses me out, as i have not been able to do for everyone individually. I have tried to use “family” or “home and family” but my mind pops up every time, and it distracts and asks: what does “family” mean? Is it parents or parents & brother or even grandparents…or what about uncle’s family and cousins. Please help me sort this out.”
Answer: Start by finding a word or phrase that describes the character of the group you wish to run for. For example: “my family that I wish to include in this run.” That name happens to be a bit long and it is also somewhat of a tongue twister. Maybe in this case “my close family” would work as a title for the group.
In either case, when you find a phrase that works for you — such as “my close family” — then write a list of individuals that belong on that list. “Write” the list. The physical act of writing has more power than typing. Write the list, fold it nicely, label the list as “my close family” (or whatever phrase you came up with).
Then when you do the reading, or run, you can address it for the benefit of “my close family.” There will be no confusion about who belongs in the list, because you have written each of the names individually onto a list labeled with that exact title.
Reading aloud all of the names individually could either lead to a long reading of names — or it might pressure you to keep a smaller list.
The necessity is clarity. So to be clear, you come up with a title phrase that is a close fit to the grouping you are targeting. Then after getting a comfortable title for targeting this group, you take the one step beyond and write out the list and label it with the title you came up with.
Question: “Can I include people whom i consider my family but might not be related to me? Or i should make a separate heading for them?”
Answer: You can include anyone that you want to include. There is no rule against that. However, you should not violate the intention of the phrase you have chosen for the list.
If when you write the a name down you think to yourself: “Yes, she is like family to me so she belongs on this list.” then that is good.
If, however, when you write the name down you think to yourself: “Well, she isn’t really family so I’m not sure she belongs on this list.” then change the name of the list. Maybe instead of “my close family” you choose “my close people.” Make the “close” the significant connection not DNA (blood relation).
The point is that if someone does not fit under the title you have chosen for the list, you can modify the title of the list so it feels okay.
However, when you write the name on the list, if you feel comfortable with that name being on the list, then all is good. You do not have to match some school book definition. You are trying to create a situation in which it is all simple and you are comfortable with the designation.
It only has to be clear to you — clear enough that you don’t have your mind popping up asking questions when you are trying to do a run.
Was that okay instruction? Any parts that could be explained more? Does that seem like a solution you can work with?