Written by Karen Gately – October 26th 2015
You know those relationships that drain your energy? The ones that impact your ability to really thrive at home, at work, in life? There are consequences of enduring them and failing to face up to the reality that something’s just not right.
And that there’s no point pretending a relationship has a future if it doesn’t. It’s just as important to recognise when relationships are right, when they are worth investing in.
So, whether it’s with your children, your spouse, your friends or your co-workers, here are seven signs of a good, healthy relationship:
1: TRUST
Great relationships are built on a foundation of trust – something that takes time to build and is hard to regain once its lost. Without trust relationships of every kind will fail. You know you trust each other when you feel safe, comfortable. Open, close. Its reflected in your willingness to listen to the tough stuff – and learn from it.
2: OPENNESS
You express yourself openly and honestly. No topic is off-limits. Both parties feel heard. You engage in honest and respectful conversations that allow you to understand one another and build a genuine connection. When you have problems and concerns, you share them directly and not with other people. You never complain or criticise each other’s backs.
3: RESPECT
Both parties recognise that neither of you is perfect. You accept each other the way that you are. Too often we focus on what we expect or hope people will be, and while it’s important to recognise how people can grow or learn, holding onto who you expect someone to become will inevitably lead to disappointment and frustration.
4: TEAMWORK
To make the relationship in your life work, you and the other person both have to do your part – because it takes two to tango! You make decisions together and listen to each other’s concerns and preferences. You bring your ideas and opinions together and remain open-minded to one another’s point of view. You work with mutual trust and respect to achieve what you each need.
5: JOY
Healthy relationships are energised by laughter, by fun. While you can’t expect that everyone will be happy every minute of the day, good relationships uplift the spirit and make us feel loved and respected. Most people are capable of annoying us or frustrating us at times, but what really matters is the ability to move past petty disagreements and look for reasons to enjoy each other’s company.
6: KINDNESS
You treat each other with care, consideration and compassion. You are friendly and speak with warmth and consideration. You are generous towards each other. When we chose to invest in the needs of others, the impact is significant.
7: FORGIVENESS
Holding onto baggage weighs heavily on any relationship. Resentment, disappointment and frustration, when left unresolved, erode trust and drain our spirit. You know you have a great relationship when you are able to express how you feel and let it go. You are able to forgive shortcomings and failings. You support one another. You learn from the experiences you face, and then you move on.