We have all kinds of relationships in our lives. We have loved ones, good friends, co-workers, acquaintances, etc. The important thing to remember is that healthy, meaningful relationships take time and nurturing.
Relationships don’t automatically become, or stay, healthy. I’ve worked with many clients who want close, intimate connections with others, but don’t really know how to connect in a deep, mutually satisfying way.
It helps if we’ve had parents who have modeled for us how to interact with others — treating them with love, kindness, and respect. That isn’t always the case, though! If we haven’t been taught from childhood, then we need to make up for the many lost learning opportunities.
There’s no time like the present to learn how to show our love for others! We can look around us for mentors and guides. Think about your own life. Who do you know who draws healthy people to them? Do they have long-term, warm, caring relationships?
What can you learn from them about how to treat others? Do they seem to have healthy boundaries? Do they treat others with gentleness and patience? Do they make time for the people they care about? Are they authentic and genuine? Are they able to be vulnerable? Are they loyal and dependable? Are their actions respectful of their relationships?
Close relationships can enrich our lives, and they’re well-worth the effort they take! Living in isolation, or with only shallow relationships to keep us company, results in a deep loneliness for most of us. The emotional warmth of feeling really connected to others, feeds our hearts and lightens our spirits! If you don’t have the closeness you want in your life, now is the time to learn how to create it!
Until next time,
Linda
Life is all about connection. Thank you Linda Elaine Menesez for sharing your valuable insights for achieving deeper and loving connections with others. Love your common sense wisdom!
Thank you, Susan! I wrote this after spending time with a dear friend on Monday, and thinking about how much I value that friendship. I loved the shared conversation, and the deep level of trust and connection I felt. It made me think about how much close relationships enrich our lives, and, at the same time, about the many people who are missing that closeness. I wanted to address their need in my blog post. I’m glad you liked it!
Linda
The connections we forge with others are so valuable! It’s important to keep them strong and healthy, which involves a fair amount of work… From putting in the effort to meet up, even if it’s just for coffee, to nurturing and supporting those you love even when things get bad. Closeness with others comes easy for some, for others it’s a whole lot of work, but at the end of the day, nothing beats that connection with a close friend.
Thank you, Calla! Those connections enrich our lives so much, and when we are really struggling, they can be a virtual lifeline! They’re so worth whatever efforts they take.
Linda