Relationships

I have noticed, once a person starts to be critical of his/her partner, that is the first step towards the relationship falling apart. When we focus upon the faults of others instead of focusing on all the good in others, we can easily become jaded by all the faults we see. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This is the strong foundation for all relationships. And when all parties abide by this attitude, the relationship(s) thrive.

If you are looking to develop a long term loving and meaningful relationship, take a self inventory to list all of your pros and cons, what you have to contribute to a relationship, and what you need to work on, on yourself, to be the best partner/mate you can be. This means taking responsibility for your own behavior, and being aware of your strengths and weaknesses. If you are looking for an ideal partner/mate, then first make yourself an ideal partner/mate. By doing so, you are more likely to attract someone who appreciates you and is willing to spend the rest of their life with you.

Be kind, be loving, be generous, be thoughtful, be considerate, be helpful and have compassion for the plights of others. That is a good place to start from. :)

Also, effective communication is essential in any relationship. In other words, don't expect your partner/mate to be able to read your mind and know what you are thinking. For important matters, I'd suggest always being open about them and talking about those things so a mutual agreement can be established.

Boundaries are probably one of the last things on a person's list, unless they are so important to them, they elevate to the top of the list. I'd suggest the ladder is because a person has had their boundaries violated so much that is a sensitive topic and therefore needs healing.

In a marriage type relationship, it is less about the individual and more about the couple. This is a very different way of thinking and being than the way one thinks and acts as a solo individual. Trespassing boundaries often occurs when one still thinks and acts from a solo perspective rather than a couple's perspective. In order to establish harmony, a person's perspective must take into consideration the other half of the couple's perspective. And this is where, treating others the way you want to be treated shows it's value.

Developing and maintaining a long lasting fulfilling relationship takes continued attention. This isn't something to be put on the back burner, so to speak, or to put on autopilot. If you want any relationship to thrive, appropriate attention needs to bare upon the relationship.