Inspirational Short Story, Female Fantasy Art, Relaxing Music

It is not a question of how a husband and wife

can be equal and alike. But rather, it is a problem

of how a couple can be equal and different.

-- Pierre Mornell

In seeking closeness with loved ones, we have often made the mistake of looking only for similarities.

Although common ground helps understanding, we must learn how to get close to others by "borrowing their eyes and ears."

We expand our understanding of others by accepting that what we see, hear, think, and feel will not be exactly what anyone else does.

We can deepen our relationships by exchanging our experiences with others.

We don't have to agree on everything.

Simply learning about each other's differences and letting each other know what we hear and understand will create a feeling of intimacy.

Inspirational Short Story, Female Fantasy Art, Relaxing Music

A man can stand a lot as long

as he can stand himself.

-- Axel Munthe

Sometimes we're mistaken about the source of our unhappiness.

We walk around with a short fuse, ready to explode if anyone crosses our path.

Then, when we do explode, we think it is the other person's fault.

At other times we have frightening physical reactions and worry that something is wrong with our bodies.

But we are not aware that the problem is caused by a deeper feeling of not being able to stand ourselves.

Most of us have problems accepting ourselves.

When we make peace with our consciences, some of our problems vanish.

Other problems may never disappear, but our pain is eased because our inner battle has ceased and we have the energy we need to cope.

Inspirational Short Story, Female Fantasy Art, Relaxing Music

Not all fights are bad, in fact they are preferable

to disciplined serenity.

-- William Atwood

A good relationship includes some disagreement.

Anger and disagreement, when we express them respectfully, are important ways of renewing communication and breaking through the walls that sometimes build up.

No relationship can tolerate constant fighting.

But, when we don't agree with someone, we owe it to that person to speak up and follow through to resolution.

We can promise ourselves and the other person that we will stay in the relationship through the disagreement.

It is because we care that we fight.

In any relationship we care about, there will be differences.

When we avoid all confrontations, our relationships go stale because all emotional issues are avoided.

Carefulness and over-control undermine love because they don't give it room to breath, but disagreement and anger expressed in honest and respectful ways will help love grow.

__________

01/13/2014

Native American banners from Silverhawk's Native American Graphics

Calling card banners from Sandy's Graphics (dead link 07/27/2011)