“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”
?Confucius
Almost two decades ago, when I asked my grandfather for some relationship advice, he said, “Honestly, the moment I stopped trying to find the right woman, and started trying to become the right man, your grandmother walked up to me and said, ‘Hello.’”
This small tip immediately changed the way I treated myself and others. In fact, it set the foundation for all the healthy relationships I’ve nurtured over the years, including my relationship with Angel.
The bottom line is that every single one of our relationships starts within us. When we uncomplicate ourselves, we uncomplicate our interactions with others. When we stop doing the wrong things and start doing the right things, our relationships get a lot easier.
Which means it’s time to…
- Stop looking to others for the love and respect only you can give yourself. – Self-respect, self-worth, and self-love. There’s a reason they all start with “self.” You can’t receive them from anyone else.
- Start accepting and embracing your flaws. – Once you’ve accepted your flaws, no one can use them against you. Love yourself! Forgive yourself! Accept yourself! You are YOU and that’s the beginning and the end… no apologies, no regrets.
- Stop comparing and competing every second. – Take one step at a time and don’t compare your progress with that of others. We all need our own time to travel our own distance. Remember this, and give others the space to do the same.
- Start letting others be exactly who they are. – Remember, a great relationship is about two things: First, appreciating the similarities, and second, respecting the differences. [Read more…]