How To Really Love The One You’re With
By Larry James
Acceptance
I have a relationship that is healthy in that both of us accept that each has unique thoughts, feelings, interests, and viewpoints and that we do not feel threatened by differences, because we trust, respect, and honor each other. True acceptance of our own and each other’s individuality and separateness is the only foundation upon which a mature, healthy relationship can be based and from which unconditional love can grow.
Differences may be more of a reason for a good love relationship than evidence of incompatibility. I believe that the more I resist accepting my love partner as she is, the more her traits will persist in annoying me.
The more freely my love partner and I feel to express our individuality, the more satisfaction we get, the more passion and joy we experience with each other.
I have a love relationship that strives for a partnership of equals, both partners responsible for his or her own health and happiness, loved and each encouraged by the other. Unconditional love allows both partners to unfold in their own way. I know the more self-sufficient I can be, the less pressure I put on the relationship.
Three important steps in a healthy love relationship are do not judge, do no rationalize and do not defend your point of view.
Support
I know that to have an intimate love relationship, my love partner and I both need to feel the freedom to live our lives in ways that satisfy each of us individually and still meet each other’s needs.
The purpose and function of my love partner is to grow personally and spiritually and to be the most of which she is capable, not for my benefit but for her own. Because of my unconditional love for her I want her to become all that she is capable of becoming.
I want the best for my love partner and will never feel threatened by her successes in any way. My love partner is unique and I love her for who she is, not for what I may expect her to be. My love for her is given without strings - no "ifs" or "buts." I encourage emotional self-sufficiency in my love partner. I believe that the need for individual autonomy is not only compatible with a successful forever relationship, but can be a strong contributor.
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