Healthy relationships are important for our general well-being. In fact, based on the Harvard Study of Adult Development, a good life is all about the quality of relationships we have in our lives. It is not about fame, wealth, power nor prestige. Rather, it is all about the relationships we have build over the years with the people around us. Thus, having happy, healthy and positive relationships with others should be part of our life goals. So, how to build good relationships with others?
Relationships take time to develop. They don’t happen overnight. Your relationships right now not just with your loved ones but to all the people around you are a result of all the energy and time that you have invested in them over the years. It is easy to establish one. However, it takes consistent effort to maintain one.
Whether it is with your family, friends, relatives, colleagues or community; here are some tips on how to build good relationships with others:
1. Accept
No two persons are alike. Each one of us is unique in our own ways. We all have our own thoughts, feelings and opinions. We all have our strengths and our own geniuses. At the same time, we also have our own weaknesses and bad traits. Both the positive and the negative are all part of who we are as persons. Hence, if you want to have a long, happy and positive relationship with someone, you need to learn to accept that person wholly. You need to learn to let go of your desire to change other people. Instead, learn to celebrate each other’s differences.
2. Give Your Time
If there is one thing in life that you can never recover once lost, that is time. Time is precious. That is why the greatest gift that you can give to someone is your time. No amount of money, gifts or words can replace time. Many relationships failed because one person is simply too busy to stay invested in the relationship. Giving them your time means you are giving up a portion of your life for them. Your partner, your children, your parents and your dear friends all need your time.
The greatest gift that you can give someone is your time.
– Rick Warren
3. Listen
When you listen to somebody else talk, you are showing that person that you are interested. It is one way of showing your care. Active listening requires a conscious decision to really listen and hear what the other person is saying.
This desire is one of the most common reason why people go to psychological therapists. Everyone has the desire to be heard. Thus, giving the other person your undivided attention can work wonders in maintaining a healthy relationship with that person.
4. Empathize
Empathy means the ability to understand where the other person is coming from. Unfortunately, not all people are gifted with natural empathy. But the good news is it can be developed. It is normal to disagree with others on many issues such as politics, religion and sports. However, if you want to foster long, lasting relationship with the people around you; you need to learn how to place yourself in other people’s shoes. Understand the plight of others. Remember that every person has a story.
5. Be Kind
Numerous studies around the world reveal that kindness glues married couples together. It is a determining factor of every happy and healthy relationship. What kind of words go out of your mouth each time you talk? How do you talk to others? Not just with the people you love but with your officemates, strangers, helpers, drivers, cashiers and all the people that you meet on a daily basis. Remember to always be kind to everyone.
Launch Challenge
Is there a person in your life right now that you would like to establish or maintain a long, happy, healthy and positive relationship with? Then, accept that person totally for who he/she is. Spend quality time with that person. Listen and empathize to what that person is saying. And most importantly, be kind to that person. Do this consistently for the rest of your life. Sooner or later, you will find yourself having a deep, lasting and happy relationship with that person.
More so, don’t just stop there. Make these traits a part of of who you are as a person. Practice them to all the people around you. And one day when you look back at your life, you will see that your life has been good, happy and meaningful.
Feature Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay Images