Keyshia Cole: Family Saved Our Lives

Things seem to finally be getting better in the Cole household.

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Keyshia recently posted:

“For those who CARE. My mother Frankie’s much better. More mature, Not cursing around DJ, and she weighs more than me. Think she doing sumthin. LoL. I love her like this. She’s such a wonderful, funny, loving, caring grandmother. She’s getting along with my mom Yvonne. Like living a dream.”

After a stint on VH1 ‘Celebrity Rehab,’ Frankie Lons recently found herself back behind bars on drug possession charges. Earlier, she was locked up on a parole violation charge for failing a drug test. “You know I really pray she gets it together for herself,” Cole tweeted of the news. “She has to want change for herself.”

Cole and her mother have had a strained relationship over the years, which they attempted to rectify on the singer’s now defunct reality show ‘The Way It Is.’ The 29-year-old was adopted as a child, and began financially supporting her mother in adulthood. Prior to giving birth to her son, Cole released a public statement explaining her estrangement from her mother and other family members, but the two have since reconciled.

The Importance Of Family

It feels good to have someone to talk to when times are rough, and someone to celebrate life’s biggest moments with.  Having good social relationships is fulfilling, and new research suggests that family can also add years to your lifespan.

According to research, the benefits of having healthy relationships are comparable to that of quitting smoking.  Researchers conducted 148 studies of 308,000 people or various ages and health statuses.  The study found that people were 50 percent more likely to live longer if they had strong social relationships.  The study suggests that people with low levels of social interactions have a lifespan equivalent to alcoholics and obese people.

The following types of relationships are especially helpful to your health. Cherish and nurture your family for your health’s sake.

1. Your family

Family is special because they have most likely seen you at all different points in your life.  They are the friends who can say “who would have thought?”  They remind you of how much you have grown.  Nurture them by staying in touch on a regular basis.  Schedule days to meet up for lunch, or plan family dinners to keep these relationships close over time.

Newer family members, including a new husband or wife and their family, only know the you that you are today. They have no preconceived notions about you, and that may be a good thing.  What’s even better about this is that they can introduce you to new things and fresh perspectives. 

3. A Spiritual Family

A study from Duke University Medical Center found that people who regularly attended religious services or engaged in activities such as prayer or meditation had a 50 percent lower risk of dying over a 6-year period than others of the same age and health status.

Regularly attending activities and volunteer opportunities through your religious organization is a great way to bond with others.

4. Your Partner’s Family

Your friends are like your family, and that means they should also become a part of your partner’s family to an extent.  Studies show that the more a couple’s friends and family intermingle, the better the chances of the relationship lasting past one year.

5. Your Mom

No matter your inevitable conflicts with your mom, mothers have a strong bond with their children.  If you want to be closer with your mom but keep running into obstacles, consider what you can do to overcome those issues.  If you find it hard to enjoy the time you spend with your mom, stop picking her apart and focus on her good qualities. Don’t take your mother’s criticism personally.  Instead, look at it as a reflection of her own habits and traits.

6. Yourself

When others are in need you are there at the drop of a hat, but when you are in need you forget to take care of yourself.  Become your own friend by getting to know yourself.  Understand what you want, what you don’t want and what makes you happy.  Write down seven simple things that make you happy (walking, reading, or watching movies) and make sure you do at least one thing each day to care for yourself.