Secrets to a Successful Relationship - Part 3: Respect
R-E-S-P-E-C-T. It’s more than just a catchy tune. It’s a key part of any successful relationship. You not only must respect the other person’s thoughts and feelings, but you must also respect yourself.
Respect for others - It sounds so simple, but it’s very important to have, and show, respect for someone’s wishes when you are in a relationship with them. The person you are with has thoughts, feelings, dreams, opinions, and hopes, just like you. It is crucial to keep the lines of communication open, and talk to your partner about these things. It is critical to never, ever belittle or degrade someone because they think differently than you. These feelings make this person (whom you are obviously attracted to) who they are. You don’t have to agree with them, but you must embrace them, respect them, and understand that their feelings are as important as yours. And, you must never take actions or say things that are blatantly disrespectful to their feelings. Questionable situations should be discussed openly and maturely, beforehand, not after the fact.
Respect Yourself - Never compromise who you are, or what you believe in. Do NOT try to change who you are so someone else will have a better opinion of you. You are who you are, not the you they want you to become. If they are trying to change you, fix you, make you a person other than who you are, you will end up bitter and frustrated, and they will be disappointed and lonely. Be upfront and honest about your beliefs and values, and never give them up.
Mutual respect is key to any good relationship. Respect for others will continue to endear them to you, and self-respect will ensure that you are happy with yourself, and in the relationship.
About the Author: Will Irvin is the Webmaster, Editor, and chief contributor to Premier Dating Online, a valuable resource for Online Dating Tips, Relationship Advice, and Dating Service Reviews. Having been an active member of the online community for almost fifteen years, and more recently an active member of the online dating community, Will brings an authentic, common-man’s perspective to the world of relationships, both online and off.
Relationships are important to our mental, physical, and emotionalwell-being. In order for a relationship to be considered "successful"it must stand on a solid foundation. This foundation will allow it tosurvive even the most complicated of all situations that may arise. Inthis relationship guide, I will share with you some of the secretsbehind successful relationships. If you want to ensure that you andyour partner are able to sustain the relationship that you are intogether, these unique ingredients will result in a successful formula.
One of the first things that you can do when it comes to keeping arelationship fresh and successful is to be certain that you are open tothe feelings and opinions of your partner. In turn, your partner shouldalso be receptive to you. Sharing our feelings, as well as the thingsthat we hold value in is very important. When there is no one elsethere to share these intimate instances with, your partner should be.Being able to communicate effectively is the main ingredient to eachand every single successful relationship. If this area of the bond thatyou share is affected, you will quickly experience other areas in therelationship that are rough.
It is important to understand that every relationship will experience acrossroads in which there is a difference in feelings, expectations,and opinions. It is not a difference that makes a relationship rocky,it is the inability to recognize and appreciate these differences. Thesecret to overcoming this is to find a mutual agreement between theboth of you. If you are able to do this, you will quickly find thatthings run smoothly, with little cause for concern. Compromise is anessential when it comes to the secrets behind successful relationships.Knowing and implementing compromise in your relationship can go a longway!
The next ingredient that helps formulate a successful relationship isbeing able to listen appropriately to your partner. Not only willlistening truly allow you to hear what is being said when it comes toyour relationship, but it will also allow your partner to becomfortable when it comes to expressing themselves. When your partnerspeaks, it is important that you allow them to do so. Interrupting themand causing them to become defensive about their unique stand on thingscan cause a lot of problems. Just instill some basic consideration whenit comes to the lines of communication in the relationship, and youwill quickly emerge successful and happy.
Remaining positive in the relationship can mean the difference betweensuccess and failure. You should always strive to see things in apositive light - including your partner. No one likes a pessimist, or"realist" and many pessimists enjoy calling themselves. Those that arepositive and take a unique stand on even the most challengingcircumstances are generally easy to approach, talk to, and reside with.If you find that things are getting a bit "rocky" in yourrelationships, you should change to this frame of mind. You willquickly emerge happier, healthier, and your relationship will trulyblossom!
By following the simple steps listed here, you will soon begin todiscover that you have a successful relationship that you can becontent with. Success is often viewed as being in the "eye of thebeholder", and that is not the way it should be when it comes torelationships. Success should be in the life of the doer. If you are adoer, and want to make things succeed, then they will!
About the Author:
Kevin Sinclair is the publisher and editor of My-Personal-Growth.com, a site that provides information and articles for self improvement and personal growth and development.