A conversation on Depression with Patricia Nkwane

Toxic family members are not a new thing in society. As human beings, our purpose is to serve and show compassion and the will to help, care and love others. It is from these natural traits that people get into relationships. As some relationships develop, the expectations and hopes fade into nothingness. What remains is the commitment and the material benefits, which are in most cases close to nothing. The most painful toxic relationship is that which occurs amongst family members. This is when relatives do not talk to each other, and they despise one another as if they are not of the same blood. Some even prefer to help strangers other than their own. The big question is on the causation of such behaviors amongst blood relations.

Through conversing with people from all walks of life, I have gathered information on the causes of toxic family relationships. Some attribute the conflicts that lead to toxicity to covetousness. As we all know, it’s very much common and possible that we all can never be equal despite being of the same blood. Social, financial and academic aspects of our lives differ from one family member to another. Whilst some have accepted this as the norm, some are finding it hard to accept this reality such that they end up being jealous of the ones ahead of them. Instead of being happy to see others level up and applauding for them, the raging spirit of jealousy envelops them. They begin to exude negative vibes that can result in them being toxic to their successful family members.

Have you ever observed how spiders build a web? At first, you won’t notice a thing, but gradually it becomes clear and more significant depending on how laborious the spider is. I liken that to lies; one lie can end up becoming a web of lies. No wonder some individuals end up being pathological liars.

This is a conversation I had with Jimmy about why people tell lies and the consequences involved.

The act of forgiveness allows one to become whole, thereby accumulating positive energy and peace. Wounds of the soul are not easy to heal; they need mental strength through meditation and forms of therapy. The irony of it all is that you have to forgive but not forget, and if you forget, you won’t forgive.

This is a conversation about forgiveness with Rose, Kudakwashe and Sharon.

My story is one of the many common occurrences around the world. Many  victims of rape find themselves in a state of self-blame, yet it was  never their fault. The memory of their innocence being taken never  fades, it’s always fresh in mind, and every teeny tiny bit of  information is continuously replayed. In a bid to maintain an image in  society, victims build walls to block out anyone who tries to form a  relationship with them. This is done to protect themselves as they are  in constant fear of another attack. Facades are typical amongst rape  victims.

Abusive romantic relationships negatively affect the victims physically,  mentally, spiritually, and emotionally, thereby sucking them dry and  leaving them empty. Some are left with or without enough willpower to  walk away or move on.