Relationships

Relationships...what a world! A world where we interact with others. A world where we counteract with others. A world where we come to the realization that we're required to respond to others, every day, in every way. How are your relationships?

Are you comfortable with the relationships that come and go in your life? Are you at peace with the people you come into contact with throughout your daily activities? These are questions that some people think of, and some don't. But the relationships you create and develop in your lives are the foundation for your growth. Do you understand that? I believe it's worth repeating. The relationships you create and develop in your lives are the foundation for your growth.

Life is all about expansion. The Universe in constantly expanding and you, as part of that Universe, are also constantly expanding. Every thought you have moves you forward...hopefully. Because some of our thoughts don't move us forward, but actually retract us from the natural flow of goodness that is our inherent right. And when that happens, we feel uncomfortable. We feel uneasy. We feel unhappy.

So here's the deal, as I see it. As you go through your daily lives, experiencing all your movements and actions, how you feel gives you a direct indication of whether your relationships are working. Whether it's a relationship with a life partner, a co-worker, a friend, an acquaintance, or even just a casual meeting with perhaps a cashier in a store; this is the time when you decide whether you're going to make this relationship a positive one or a negative one. Here's where you decide if you want to fill your environment with love, or fear. And that's all it takes - your decision.

We all find ourselves in situations that challenge our patience, probably at least once a day. So how do you want to handle that situation? Do you want to establish a positive relationship with your positive attitude and friendly smile and conversation? Wouldn't that be an ideal choice? Sometimes, that's not so easy to do. But the effort it takes to make every situation a positive one is surely worth it, don't you think? Wouldn't you rather be contributing some positive energy into what may be a volatile situation? Wouldn't you feel better if you'd made somebody else smile and forget their impatience or anger? That's such a wonderful thing to give!

When you talk about relationships, I believe I've seen the best and the worst of them all. Through my experience, I've learned that the best way to approach a relationship is with absolute respect. And that's accompanied by a total absence of judgment. Nothing ruins a relationship like judgment. Acceptance is the key.

Take my relationship with Suzanne, for example. We don't agree on everything. But we respect each other's opinions and the bottom line is, as it should be with any and all relationships, we let each other be Who We Really Are. That's the key. That's what works.

So if you find yourself in a relationship, whether long-term or short-term, look into your heart and find the love to make it work. Find a reason to express the joy of living that you experience - the joy that someone else might be having a difficult time finding. Find a way to give...unselflessly and completely. That's what will make all your relationships work.

So just enjoy your relationships. Because they're all gifts. And don't we all love getting gifts?

Cheers,
Gareth Marples

Throughout my relationships, I've found a tremendous amount of guidance and direction from the writings of Abraham, as expressed through Esther and Jerry Hicks.