A majority of your life is based on relationships. Relationships we have with family, with spouses or significant others, with friends, with co-workers, and even with ourselves. The relationships in our lives are what can bring us joy in a time of pain, comfort in a time of uncertainty, and encouragement in a time of change. What do we do to cultivate the best possible relationships in our lives?

How we relate to others and how we relate to ourselves can change the courses of our lives. So let’s take a look at each section of our lives and focus what we can do to bring out the best in ourselves and in those around us:

Family: They always say, you can pick your friends, but you can’t pick your family. You were born into this world with a pre-determined set of people to help guide you through life. After we are grown into adults, sometimes we drift apart. We differ in our views. Getting along with family members can be challenging at times, but in my opinion, they were put in our lives for a reason. They can teach us lessons and offer different opinions and outlooks in life. With the holidays coming up, remember to be patient with those family members that push your buttons and shower them with attitudes of love and gratitude.

Friends: As we grow into adulthood, we expand our social circle to include friends and acquaintances that we we rely on for advice, comfort, and support. These kind of relationships are very important. These are the relationships that you choose. Choose wisely. Find friends who are like-minded, who will lift you up rather than bring you down, and who will push you to achieve what you want in life. You are who you surround yourself with.

Co-Workers: We don’t have to be best friends with the people we work with, we don’t even really have to like them all that much. It can be hard spending all day, every day with a person. In these situations, work on feelings of compassion and acceptance.

Significant Others: Another sector of relationships that you choose for yourself. Romantic relationships can teach us many lessons as we go through life. We learn what we want, what we don’t want. The importance of give and take. Find a partner that you want to share your life with, it should be an equal balance of give and take. If something doesn’t feel right, pause and evaluate the situation and always follow your gut instinct.

Yourself: Last but certainly not least, the relationship you have with yourself is the most important of all. If you do not have a healthy love and appreciation for yourself, you can just throw the other categories out the window. In order to truly cultivate healthy relationships in this life, we must begin from a strong, secure foundation of love in ourselves. When you have this feeling, you will project it out to those you meet, and you will become a magnet to the kinds of people you want in our life.

So, when thinking about relationships, think about what you want in your life, and then go out and be that person. Be the reliable family member, an understanding co-worker, the loyal friend, a comforting partner, and the loving person that you are capable of being. Everything else will fall wonderfully into place.

How do you manage your relationships? Especially during the holidays, what do you do to continue to be loving and compassionate?

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