On Relationships
You can’t control how other people feel or behave. All you can control is you.
Be interested in the other person, listen attentively, be helpful, kind, respectful, trustworthy, forgiving & understanding.
And lastly, consider whether you owe someone an apology. If you do, make it sincere, specific, and without any excuses or expectations.
Sometimes, even if you do everything above, the chemistry, timing or history between people just doesn’t work. It’s also possible a relationship has run its course, or is just not fulfilling for one or both people.
It’s better to be alone than with someone who doesn’t appreciate you and treat you well.
Also, we rarely know all the things another person is dealing with, both past and present.
One of Steven Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Successful People is to first truly understand the other person, then seek to be understood.
This means listening fully and carefully (put down your phone). It’s fine to ask questions and make sure you understand, but don’t argue or debate.
Once you’ve listened, consider what the other person has said, and then respectfully share your point of view.
Lastly, avoid unhealthy and abusive relationships.
If you or someone else are in a dangerous situation, or need someone to talk to, or you are an abuser, contact the non-profit National Domestic Violence Hotline (confidential help & advice):
phone: 1-800–799–7233
text (TTY): 1-800–787–3224
web: www.thehotline.org
Thank you for reading this excerpt from my upcoming Streaker’s Journal, (“Make progress on what matters, every single day”).
