Save Your Relationship
Most
think it is difficult to win in their relationships. Struggles are
the name of the game. This article outlines 5 easy steps to take
so that everybody wins, and so you can save your relationship, no
matter what's going on.
Save
Your Relationship (5 Easy Steps To A Winning Relationship)
By Dr. Brenda Shoshanna
We
all enter relationships hoping they will make us happy. Each person
has a shopping list of hopes and expectations, secret demands he/she
makes on their partners. When those hopes are fulfilled, they consider
that theyve won the relationship is successful. However,
this approach to relationships usually brings disappointment in
the long run. Not only do our hopes, needs and expectations change,
but constantly making demands upon our partner can only lead to
relationship burnout. A truly winning relationship is built upon
a different basis.
The
Basis of Winning Relationships
When
we think that our happiness is dependent upon what we are receiving,
we are bound to be let down. When we know that happiness always
grows from what we are giving, we are on the right track. Happiness
that depends upon having our needs met, is fleeting. It comes and
goes. It has to. When things go well, we are happy. When we get
what we want, when the sun is shining, when our boyfriend finally
pops the question, these are moments of happiness. The only thing
wrong with this kind of happiness is that it revolves around us
and our needs.
We
become addicted to feeling good or having our needs met. We become
addicted to people and circumstances that bring this about. Not
only does this addiction become a problem, but as what makes us
happy keeps changing, we stay on a merry go round.
Winning
relationships are based upon joy. When things are difficult, or
our hopes are not fulfilled, it is still possible to feel joyful.
Joy, is not a knee-jerk reaction to circumstances. Joy arises from
within. It is an attitude of mind that can be developed, a positive
choice we make about ourselves and the world we live in.
In
a sense joy is a practice. It is an orientation towards life and
towards the people in our relationships. Joy is built upon actions.
There are steps we can take which allow joy to be present each day.
These steps are the foundations of a winning relationship. No matter
what happens, when you live in this manner, you feel good about
yourself and your partner.
1)
Give Up Blaming The Other Person
It
is very easy to find many things wrong with the person you are in
a relationship with. When we are upset, we attribute it to something
theyve said or done. This puts our well being in anothers
hands. It is one of the most significant ways we destroy our peace
of mind. It is also one of the most significant ways we undermine
the other person.
Each
person has the right to be who they are at this moment. Realize
that no one made you their judge and jury Also realize that if you
are upset or unhappy at their behavior, that is your response, it
does not necessarily mean that something is wrong with them. By
blaming another for your unhappiness, you are disempowering yourself.
Give
it up. Just observe their behavior. Get to know them. Say to yourself,
they have a right to be who they are, and I have a right also. In
fact, it is your own expectations which are upsetting you. When
you do not put your expectations on the other, but are willing to
get to know who they are, blame dissolves easily.
2)
Learn The Art Of True Giving
There
is a huge difference between really giving to another, and giving
so you can get something back in return. When we give in order to
get something back, (and secretly demand it), this is nothing more
than manipulation, and quickly kills our joy.
A winning
relationship is based upon true giving. This means giving with no
strings attached. Giving something to the person that they need
or would like, (not something that pleases you). Some fear to give,
feeling that they will be drained. The opposite is true. The more
we give, the more we have.
There
are many things that can be given - many people need time, attention,
acknowledgment, the chance to be right about something. Make a list
of all the things you can give another.
Practice
giving freely. Do it in little steps at first. The more you do it,
the more your joy will grow.
3)
Learn How To Really Listen
There
is no better way of building a wining relationship than by learning
to really listen to your partner. Real listening means stopping
the little voice inside that always comments, criticizes or is thinking
about what it is going to say next. When you really listen to and
hear another, you are giving them an enormous gift. When a person
is really listened to and understood, they feel loved.
When
you develop this ability, you will be amazed at how the people around
you will start opening up, and youll also be amazed at how
joyful your own life will become.
4)
Stop Wanting To Change The Other Person
One
of the biggest thieves of our joy is our constant desire to fix
or change the other person. One person feels they cannot love the
other unless that person changes. The other feels hurt, inadequate
and as though something is wrong with them. Everybody becomes hurt
and frustrated. So often we hear the phrase, if you loved me enough
you would change for me.
But
winning relationships is built upon our ability to love the person
as they are, (including the parts of them that may not please you).
A person has not been put on earth to make you happy. They have
been put here to grow, develop and discover who they are.
The
odd thing about change is that the more we let go of wanting to
change the other, the sooner they are able to change because they
dont have to stay as they are as a matter of pride.
5)
Develop Patience
Patience
is an old fashioned word in todays worlds of instant technology.
However, the more patient you are with yourselves and others, the
less you will feel frustration and the more easily you will develop
joy. When you learn to be fully in the moment, and to allow each
relationship to grow and develop in its own rhythm, this is a sure
fire way to allow both of you to win.
Its
necessary to realize that right at this moment, we are lovable and
acceptable, just as we are. The more love and acceptance we can
offer, the more everyone experiences joy and the easier it is for
us to build our relationships upon a foundation that cannot falter.
Go
From Save Your Relationship to Relationship Articles
---------------------------------------------------
Discover
the surprising truths about love that will save your relationship
by working with the unique program in Dr. Shoshannas new e-book
Save Your Relationship (21 Basic Laws of Successful Relationships).
http://www.truthaboutlove.com
---------------------------------------------------
|