Honoring You in All Your Relationships

It’s no secret that it takes two to create and maintain a healthy relationship.  Although I would agree with this statement, I also know there is a lot one person can do to change the dynamics of any relationship.  And since none of us have the power to change another person, it only makes sense that the best place to start in our relationships is with ourselves. 

At our local Super Walmart, there is a gentleman there by the name of George.  George stands at the front door and enthusiastically greets everyone who walks into Walmart.  He smiles at the guests and with a jubilant tone, he asks people how they’re doing.  When he’s not talking to someone, he is singing and enjoying life wholeheartedly.  George has the ability to change me and my mood, simply by being who he is.  By honoring what is important to him – joy – he brings out the best in his Walmart relationships.

Our lives are touched by many relationships.  While most of us define a relationship as existing between two people, there are other types of relationships as well.  The one component of your relationships that remains constant, however, is you.  So as we explore the relationships in your life, I want to invite you to ask yourself these important questions as it relates to each of these precious relationships.

©       Who are you in this relationship?

©       Who do you want to be in this relationship?

©       What important values do you want to define this relationship?

©       What needs are being met or not being met in this relationship?

©       Is respect practiced in this relationship?

©       Does this relationship give you positive energy?  Or does it drain you?

©       In what ways do you nurture this relationship?

©       What changes need to occur in this relationship?

Relationship with God

God is your Rock.  He is your foundation.  He is the Source for an unending supply of love, peace, patience and wisdom.  Since God is the Master Creator, He is the central point from which all other relationships are formed.

Relationship with Self

Without love and respect for yourself, it is difficult to love and respect others.  An authentic relationship with you is critical to creating honest and open relationships with others.  The relationship with self must be nurtured frequently so you can be emotionally and physically available to your other important relationships.

Relationship with Spouse

Although this relationship may or may not exist in your family, if it does, it is the link that ties your family together.  This link must be strong enough to withstand the challenges of raising your children and building a healthy family.

Relationship with Children

These relationships are the reason we call ourselves mom.  We have been entrusted by God to be their soul provider and protector.  Our children depend on us for guidance, teaching, and most importantly, love.

Relationship with Parents and Siblings

These relationships were our primary relationships in life.  It is where we practiced how to be in relationship with other people.  Depending on what we learned in our early years, we may or may not want to model these relationships.  Healing these first relationships significantly affects the health of our relationships today.

Relationship with Friends

Our friends, depending on who we choose, have the ability to be a great support for us.  Friends meet significant emotional needs for women, and remind us that fun, sharing and bonding is important for our overall wellbeing.

Relationship with Boss, Coworkers and Clients

These relationships, if we work, take up a tremendous amount of our waking hours.  Much of what we experience at work is brought home to our loved ones.  Our working relationships can inspire us or drain us, so it’s important that we choose these relationships wisely. 

Relationship with Time and Money

Although time and money are not human beings, they are precious commodities in our life.  How we choose to spend our time affects every relationship in our lives.  Our relationship with money holds energy in our lives.  We have the ability to attract or repel money depending on how we treat it.

In each of these and other significant relationships, you are a vital contributor.  Who you are in each of these relationships can make or break the quality that you experience.  So be yourself and align you relationships with your values.  Make the time to nurture your relationships because, in the end, relationships are all that really matter.