Relationships: Take Responsibility, Don’t Give Up and Save your Marriage
Relationship Balancing teaches us the true meaning of responsibility, which is the ability to respond — not to react. This must be learned and cultivated. Many problems in relationships arise because we react blindly. Reaction arises out of our automatic, conditioned natures that expect trouble at every turn. It is easy and natural to blame the other for what is going on. However, when we do this, we are shifting responsibility for the mess we are in. When we learn to respond, however, we automatically become aligned with the best in ourselves. Here are some steps to follow, which enable us to respond, not react.
1. Give the Other Person the Benefit of the Doubt.
Most of the time, when something upsetting happens, we find negative reasons for someone’s behavior; we see the worst in them. In relationship balancing, we turn this around and consciously give the other person the benefit of the doubt. We find positive explanations instead, actively remembering their best qualities and what originally drew us to them in the first place.
By seeing the best — not the worst — in another person, we are balancing our natural inclination to find fault. As we do this, we will also hopefully begin to look for and see the best in ourselves, giving ourselves the benefit of the doubt as well. Remember: perception can be fatal. As we perceive, so shall we be. And what we see in others, we tend to bring out in them. Understanding this means having a true understanding of responsibility in our personal relationships. We become responsible for how we perceive a situation, what aspect of it we wish to focus on. Out of thousands of possible moments and points of view, we have the choose those that will support the healing and love, not support negativity and loss.
2. Do Not Give Up on a Person.
We may become ready to dump a person because they are difficult to handle. However, the principle of not giving up teaches us to stay with a situation or person, right through the difficulties. This does not mean that we can never leave or change a relationship, but even if we do that, we do not give up on the person, but instead hold them in our minds and hearts with warm regards.
3. Stay in the Present. Let the Past be the Past.
This step requires that we deal with things as they take place, be willing to start new every day. So many relationships flounder because people never wake up to a new day. Reality continually renews and confronts us with new tasks and possibilities. Are we in touch with this ever-flowing reality, or constantly dwelling on the past? Is our energy used up remembering how we were wronged and what we must do to make it right? Why not give this up and try the wonderful medicine of staying in the present and letting the past be the past?
