This article is for those who are either in a relationship or
still planning to have one. An African proverb states,
Before you get married, keep both eyes open, and after you marry,
close one eye.
Before you get involved and make a commitment to someone, dont let
lust, desperation, immaturity, ignorance, pressure from others or a
low self-esteem make you blind to warning signs.
Keep your eyes open, and dont fool yourself that you can change
someone or that what you see as vulnerabilities, pet peeves, and
differences will become more obvious. If you love your mate and
want the relationship to grow and evolve, youve got to learn how
to close one eye and not let every little thing bother you. You and
your mate have many different expectations, emotional needs,
values, dreams, weaknesses, and strengths.
You are two unique individual children of God who have decided to
share a life together.
Neither one of you are perfect, but... are you perfect for each
other?
Do you bring out the best in each other?
Do you compliment and compromise with each other, or do you
compete, compare and control?
What do you bring to the relationship?
Do you bring past relationships, past hurt, past mistrust, past
pain?
You cant take someone to the altar to alter them.
You cant make someone love you or make someone stay.
If you develop self-esteem, spiritual discernment, and a life you
wont find yourself making someone else responsible for your
happiness or responsible for your pain.
Manipulation, control, jealousy, neediness, and selfishness are not
the ingredients of a thriving, healthy, loving and lasting
relationship.
Seeking status, sex, and security are the wrong reasons to be in a
relationship.
What keeps a relationship strong?
Communication
Intimacy
A sense of humor
Sharing household tasks
Some getaway time without business or children
Daily exchanges (a meal, shared activity, a hug, a call, a touch, a
note)
Sharing common goals and interests
Giving each other space to grow without feeling insecure
Giving each other a sense of belonging and assurances of
commitment
If these qualities are missing, the relationship will erode as
resentment, withdrawal, abuse, neglect, dishonesty and pain replace
the passion.
As long as we have memories, yesterday remains.
As long as we have hope, tomorrow awaits.
As long as we have friendship, today is beautiful.
As long as we have mutual life enrichment, love will last
forever.
~CloneMe~
