I am excited to think that Day 18 of the #AtoZChallenge is here and am loving the relationship building with others β but at the same time, I am alsoΒ a wee bit sad that April 30 is racing towards us. Somehow April seems shorter than it usually is β thanks to blogging every day.
First, I thought that being a Saturday, it should be Rest and Relaxation β but decided to focus on relationship building instead β because is that not what blogging is all about? Community, friendshipΒ and relationship building. So here we go with my take onβ¦
Relationship Building
They could be 20 or 80 years old.
They could be of any color, size, shape or status.
It is irrelevant how long they have been together.
Regardless of age, duration of time and ethnicity, it is easy to recognize a happy and healthy relationship.
So life is not perfect. You know it and I know it. In spite of this, there are couples, friends and families who manage to stay committed to each other, love each other.
What is the secret?
You donβt have to be lucky to enjoy your relationship. No β luck has nothing to do with it. It takes a lot of persistence, hard work and commitment. Some lessons Iβve learned and would like to share are:
Be realistic
A wonderful gift may not be wrapped as you expect. ~ Jonathan Lockwood Huie
Pink spectacles are fine, but if you want to nurture a long term relationship, they must be realism tinted spectacles.Β Β In the course of relationship building,Β peaks, plateaus and troughs are the norm. There will be roses. But there will also be thorns. When we recognize this, it is easier to enjoy the rose petals.
Put in the effort
There are no shortcuts to any place worth going ~ Beverly Sills
RelationshipΒ buildingΒ takes work.Β Sometimes one of you seems to be making all the effort.Β Donβt keep score.Β If there are misunderstandings or problems, thrash them out. Donβt assume that things will magically be okay. Just like anything you want to succeed with, relationships must be nurtured and cared for, regularly. You know what they say: no pain, no gain.
Make time for each other
One of the greatest gifts you can give someone is the gift of attention ~ Jim Rohn
Spend time together. A shared activity is a great idea. Sitting quietly watching TV doesnβt really count, unless it is one of those fun things that the family does together, laughing together. Go for walks. Go out for a meal. Play together.
Give each other space
Donβt smother each other. No one can grow in the shade. ~Leo Buscaglia
It is great to spend time together, but it is just as important to have space. The good old me β time. It is healthy to have your own interests so you return to the relationship refreshed. Lots more to talk about. You miss the people you are usually with and always cherish the value they bring to your life.
Accept and enjoy your differences
Soul-mates bring out the best in you. They are not perfect but are always perfect for you. ~Author Unknown
Enjoy your differences. Just think about what drew you to the person in the first place. Okay, so we cannot choose our families, but when it comes to friendships and partners, the things that you loved initially are the things that make you maddest later. But hang on, stop to think about the things you loved. If there are differences, see the brighter side.Β Β Appreciate it.
Stop trying to change each other
Before you try to change others, remember how hard it is to change yourself ~ Bill Bluestein
Many people praise someone for the way they are, and then, when they get closer, expect them to change. If the relationship is worth it, why not make the extra effort?Β So get bugged once in a while, but donβt make it a habit. Of course, with partners this can be a wee bit tough. But cutting each other some slack seriously helps. Iβd get mad about many things before, but once Sury and I planned division of labor about various things around the house we suddenly had very little to complain about. Happiness walked in.
Realize thatΒ some problems have no solutions
Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves. ~ Carl Jung
Some problems are best left alone. If there are issues you disagree about, donβt waste energy arguing.Β Choose toΒ agree to disagree and compromise. Your relationship can get healthier when you tackle these things amicably.
Communicate
People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges ~ Joseph F. Newton Men
Communication is critical to relationship building. Listen. Empathize even if you donβt agree. No need to be defensive. Share thoughts and feelings.
Embrace honesty
If you tell the truth you donβt have to remember anything ~Mark Twain
Trust and honesty form the foundation for any relationship. Better to lay it all on the table than live with doubts.
Respect each other
When men and women are able to respect and accept their differences then love has a chance to blossom ~ John Gray
And that holds good for any relationship. Donβt take anyone for granted. Say your I love youβs every day. Donβt wait. I do that all the time. Who knows what might happen tomorrow!
After all, we only have one life. Why not live it in peace and harmony?
Hereβs an all-time favorite of mine:
Present your family and friends with their eulogies now β they wonβt be able to hear how much you love them and appreciate them from the grave. ~Anonymous
Isnβt that true?
Today, I recommend
Preetilata Sarkarβs blogΒ
*****
Here is a round up of the weekβs posts from M through R
Parenting perspectivesΒ β Things Iβve Learned
*******
Have a lovely weekend!
22 comments
Great quotes and tips Vidya. It is easy to break up to keep something going especially relationships…it takes effort.
For me the ‘r’ in relationships spells, respect. And it is the first letter of the word, funnily enough. π
I love of all of Leo Buscalgia’s words!
Corinne, respect is also something we need to cultivate. Thanks for sharing.
Joy V. Smith recently posted…R is for reporter
Great–and important–choice and some excellent quotes. Thank you!
Joy V. Smith recently posted…R is for reporter
Great quotes and a lovely tips on relationships Vidya π
sridevi recently posted…The Song of the Rainbow
Wonderful tips and great quotes, Vidya. For me it is important to jave respect for each other and revive the relationship from time to time… ie not taking each other for granted, trying out different things…
Shilpa Garg recently posted…R is forβ¦ Riddle
Acpting the differences n giving the space are the most imp lessns!
Great tips and greater quotes. π
Bhavya recently posted…Risks
Great tips and nice quotes.
Suzy recently posted…UBC 20 – AtoZ – Rhema
Great quotes and lovely tips ! well presented !
Its so easy to break and herculean task to build
PhenoMenon
These r the tips which I highly need I guess
I think I will read this post when ever I feel like thanks Vidya π
I am completely pro all the points mentioned for an enriched relationship….Its a way too much going into one than most people think.
Thanks so much for recommending my blog here *lotsa hugs*
Kajal Kapur recently posted…Relationship discourse
So true–all of those points! My next door neighbors are an elderly couple. I often see them holding hands as they are walking. They clearly enjoy each other’s company.
I loved the last quote. I was at a memorial service recently and a woman I know wrote such a lovely eulogy. Afterwards, I told her that I wanted her to write mine, but to write it while I was still alive to hear it!!
Galen Pearl recently posted…Tapping of the Heart
A nice topic and tips. Very tricky indeed. This takes a life time to master sometimes. π
Pattu recently posted…Urban Farming encouraged by A.P. Government
Friendship,respect and communication are the three most important aspects of any relationship.Great quotes,and useful tips here Vidya.
sharmila recently posted…R– Raita Recipe
The first rule of relationship building is ‘No ego’.Respecting each other is a must too. Loved your post.
This post is beautifully written! I love the quotes.
Thank you for a great R post!
Connie
A to Z-ing to the end
Peanut Butter and Whine
Connie Gruning recently posted…A to Z April Challenge Letter R
I enjoy all your little lessons of life. The present day generation needs to inculcate a lot of these tips. Thank you for your wisdom Vidya π
**Accept and enjoy your differences**
Yes!
Love you more than tigers in snow. X
My Inner Chick recently posted…Big Hats, Buck House, & Beautiful Harry
[…] love can extend to our relationships and our actions. Some people seem to have this in natural abundance. Others learn, through life […]
I used to have difficulty in connecting with my partner , and applying the lessons of this article has really help me to build a strong connect with my partner