Striving for Healthy Relationships
I thought I would re-circle on my family posts as I have had some time to think. My family life is a wound, but also the reason why I am who I am. There is no reason to talk about the family issue any more, but rather to be forward looking into finding and sustaining healthy relationships in the future.
I believe a healthy relationship (meaning with family or significant others) should live by the following:
- Hard topics should be able to be openly discussed in a manner where all ideas can freely be brought to the table and analyzed
- Daily comments of love should be expressed
- Words should be carefully chosen
- Conversation should consist of two people discussing, not one person doing all the listening
- Time and hobbies should be willingly sacrificed for another member of the family / relationship
- Bad days or hurt feelings should be addressed
- Creating transparent lives can help establish trust
- Focusing on honesty is vital
- Crucial facts (birthday, degree of study, history) should be remembered
- Quality time should be spent on a regular basis
- Weaknesses and worries should be addressed by the other person with compliments and praise, helping the other overcome these fears
- Time apart is a necessity
- The “little things” truly are important (i.e. notes, a simple thank you, etc)
I would really appreciate any thoughts from you readers. How do you sustain healthy relationships? What have you found to be helpful?