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Relationships, or Arrangement
From coworkers to romantic relationships, social bonds help us function in our world while strengthening us as individuals. Healthy relationships depend on our ability to communicate in an effective manner, embrace a varying degree of altruism, and display mutual respect for each others. Improving an unhealthy relationship requires both individuals involved to work at the underlying faults of each other and the relationship. On the other hand, it is important to first recognize whether or not a relationship is actually a relationship instead of little more than an arrangement of convenience.
Our relationships change us over time. Healthy relations do this in a constructive way such that our detrimental faults are minimized while we as unique individuals thrive. Since the world is an extremely dynamic place forever changing, healthy relationships enrich our lives. Arrangements are static, because they mostly revolve around conditions that may well disappear at any given time. Consequently, arrangements of convenience do not offer us essential benefits, such as deep emotional connections, support in uncertain times, and acceptance for who we are, or who we are becoming.
Depending upon the circumstances of an arrangement, an unfulfilled marriage for example, ending an arrangement can be more detrimental than continuing it for years. It is, however, possible to turn arrangements into healthy relationships, if those involved are willing. Working at a relationship demands individuals reflect on their faults, address their detrimental qualities, and find a common point of interest with the other individual. Most importantly, transforming an arrangement into a relationship hinges on both individuals moving to support the vital interests of each other.
Although the most likely and easy, albeit still often painful, solution to a failing arrangement is to simply end it instead of reforming it, there are certainly cases where healthy relationships cannot possibly be formed. Dragging out these arrangements only leads to greater, prolonged pain as well as missed opportunities for healthier relationships. Where unrelenting selfish tendencies take the lead in every arrangement an individual engages in, healthy relationships are not possible. Rightfully identifying such situations can be difficult at times, but honest self-reflection is one way of helping know whether it is you or the other person.
Healthy relationships are essential to our personal wellbeing and the health of our communities. Unfortunately, our need to connect with others often leads us to settle for arrangements of convenience versus deep, meaningful connections. Transforming or ending arrangements can be extremely difficult, especially when people lack a strong social support network of healthy relationships, yet it is necessary. Moreover, the first step must be to identify whether a connection is a relationship or simply an arrangement.
Our relationships change us over time. Healthy relations do this in a constructive way such that our detrimental faults are minimized while we as unique individuals thrive. Since the world is an extremely dynamic place forever changing, healthy relationships enrich our lives. Arrangements are static, because they mostly revolve around conditions that may well disappear at any given time. Consequently, arrangements of convenience do not offer us essential benefits, such as deep emotional connections, support in uncertain times, and acceptance for who we are, or who we are becoming.
Depending upon the circumstances of an arrangement, an unfulfilled marriage for example, ending an arrangement can be more detrimental than continuing it for years. It is, however, possible to turn arrangements into healthy relationships, if those involved are willing. Working at a relationship demands individuals reflect on their faults, address their detrimental qualities, and find a common point of interest with the other individual. Most importantly, transforming an arrangement into a relationship hinges on both individuals moving to support the vital interests of each other.
Although the most likely and easy, albeit still often painful, solution to a failing arrangement is to simply end it instead of reforming it, there are certainly cases where healthy relationships cannot possibly be formed. Dragging out these arrangements only leads to greater, prolonged pain as well as missed opportunities for healthier relationships. Where unrelenting selfish tendencies take the lead in every arrangement an individual engages in, healthy relationships are not possible. Rightfully identifying such situations can be difficult at times, but honest self-reflection is one way of helping know whether it is you or the other person.
Healthy relationships are essential to our personal wellbeing and the health of our communities. Unfortunately, our need to connect with others often leads us to settle for arrangements of convenience versus deep, meaningful connections. Transforming or ending arrangements can be extremely difficult, especially when people lack a strong social support network of healthy relationships, yet it is necessary. Moreover, the first step must be to identify whether a connection is a relationship or simply an arrangement.
