The Virtues of a Big Brother

Let's face it, being an older brother is not always easy. Everyday we endure the antics of our younger counterparts, often masking our frustration in bouts of silence and reduced eye contact. It's a relationship bound by blood that can blossom into a great friendship or spiral into an acidic hell, but one we can never get out of. Lucky for me, I've been blessed with a great brother, a guy I proudly consider to be my best friend. I've only known him for 16 years of my life, but I'm willing to bet our relationship will never turn sour. Sure, we've had our share of fights and arguments, but they never lasted more than a day. You see, being an excellent brother takes a certain amount of work and self-sacrifice. Often times, being the best brother ever requires you to put aside your ego and follow a certain set of virtues:

1. Patience: This can be the most difficult virtue to practice as an older brother, but a lot of times it can make or break your relationship. There's no way around it: a little brother will always interrupt you to share a story, ask a question (or several), and hang out. It's really tempting to snap at your brother and tell him to go away, but doing this over and over will only create distance between the two of you. Next time he interrupts something you're doing, take a breath and give him some attention. Odds are you won't always be living together, so cherish the time you have together.

2. Loyalty: My dad always told me, "Never put your friends above your brother." It's very important that your younger brother know he always has your support. We've all had friends turn on us for whatever reason, but an older brother should never turn on his sibling. No matter what the case, a big brother must be an incorruptible force that can never be persuaded to harm his own kin. If your younger brother did something wrong, take the time to talk to him inside the privacy of your home. Never chastise your sibling in front of his peers or other people who make him feel uncomfortable.

3. Forgiveness: Your brother will always do something that'll inevitably tick you off; it's just the nature of life. So next time you're holding a grudge against the little guy, take that into perspective and decide whether being mad at him truly accomplishes anything. Odds are he feels terrible about his transgression and can't wait to move past it. As a big brother, you should lead by example and show your sibling you're capable of forgiveness. Who knows, maybe one day you'll be the brother saying sorry.

4. Mentorship: A lot of times your little brother will listen to you more than he'll listen to your parents. Don't screw up this privilege by being a bad influence. Take the time to answer your brother's questions and have some fun with him. Help him learn from your mistakes and show him the best way to approach day-to-day situations.

5. Unconditional love: As long as you are alive, your little brother should never feel alone. After all, part of being a good older brother means dedicating yourself to the boy so he grows up strong and happy. Don't be afraid to tell your brother you love him; it's not a secret.