It’s easy to make your relationships more complicated than they are.
Here are twelve simple reminders to help keep you on track.
1. All successful relationships take work.
– Relationships exist and thrive when the parties involved take the risk of sharing what is going on in their minds and hearts. Open communication and honesty are the key.
2. Most of the time you get what you give.
– If you want love, give love. If you want friends, be friendly. If you want to feel understood, try to be more understanding. It’s a simple practice that works.
3. You shouldn’t have to fight for a place in someone’s life.
– Never force someone to make room for you in their life, because if they know your value, they will create one for you.
4. There is a purpose for everyone you meet.
– Some people will test you, some will use you, and others will teach you; but above all, some will bring out the best in you. Learn to see and accept the differences between these people, and continue accordingly.
5. We all change, and that’s okay.
– Our needs change over time. When someone says, “You’ve changed,” it’s not always a bad thing. Sometimes it just means you’ve stopped living your life the way they wanted to. Don’t apologize for it. Instead, be open and sincere, explain how you feel, and keep doing what you know is good in your heart.
6. You have full control over your own happiness.
– If your relationship with yourself isn’t working, don’t expect your other relationships to be any different. No one else in this world can make you happy. This is something you have to do on your own. And you have to create your own happiness first before you can share it with someone else.
If you feel it’s your partner’s fault, think again and look inside yourself to find out which piece is missing. Your partner can never “complete” you because you are already complete. The desire for accomplishment that you feel inside has just been disconnected from who you are.
7. Forgiving others helps you.
– Forgiveness does not say: “What you have done to me is good.” He said, “I’m not going to let what you made me spoil my happiness forever.” Forgiveness is the answer. It doesn’t mean that you are erasing the past or forgetting what happened. It means that you let go of the resentment and the pain, and instead choose to learn from the incident and move on with your life.
8. You cannot change people; they can only change themselves.
– Instead of trying to change others, give them your support, and lead by example. If there’s a specific behavior that someone you love that you hope will go away over time, it probably won’t. If you really need them to make a difference, be honest, and put all the cards on the table so that person knows what you need to do.
9. Big arguments are a waste of time.
– The less time you spend chatting with people who hurt you, the more time you’ll have to love people who love you. And if you find yourself arguing with someone you love, don’t let your anger get the best of you. Give yourself time to calm down and then discuss the situation gently.
10. You are better off without certain people.
– When you need to start compromising yourself and your morals for the people around you, it is probably time to change the people around you. If someone continually abuses you or pushes you in the wrong direction, have enough respect for yourself to walk away. It may hurt for a little while, but it’s going to be okay. You will be fine, and much better in the long run.
11. Small acts of kindness will take you a long way. –
Honor your important relationships in one way or another whenever you get the chance. Every day you have the opportunity to make your relationship sweeter and deeper by making small gestures to show your appreciation and affection. Remember, making someone smile can change the world. Maybe not the whole world, but their world. Your kindness and gratitude matter.
12. Even the best relationships don’t last forever.
– People don’t live forever. Appreciate what you have, who loves you, and who takes care of you. You will never know how much they mean to you until one day they are no longer by your side. And remember, just because something doesn’t last forever, doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth it.
