I've often said that if there are negative people in your life - the ones that find continual fault with what you do, are discouraging to all of your ideas, and never, ever, manage to see the positive in any situation - remove them!  But the question arises, what if the negative person is a sister or brother?  Do you remove them from your life and go on about living?

Sometimes we really can't remove some people from our lives and.  Siblings are good examples of this because if there is a family unit that still exists - mother, father, grandparents, or other sisters and brothers - those occasions are going to arise that will force contact with that negative family member.  And those times are OK.  We should never want to totally remove a family member from our life totally.   But remember, you are under no obligation to have a day-to-day relationship with a sister or brother, or allow them to interact in your personal and private affairs,  if they are destructive and negative.  

It is difficult to remove family members from your life.  But sometimes, instead of forcing that day-to-day relationship with them, you have to limit your contact to family events and the occasional telephone call.  There are some sisters and brothers that have such destructive tendencies, that they are always bent on bringing others down with them.  Remember, hurting people, hurt other people.  If you have a sister and/or brother like that, continue to pray for them, treat them with respect, and give them occasional encouragement when you see them or speak with them on the phone or at a family gathering.  But don't give them the opportunity to destroy what you have built.  Remain positive, upbeat, and determined to succeed.  Negative people only bring negatives to your life.