Thursday, May 28, 2015

Deep Connections

Healthy Relationship

Watch yourself as you go through your days. Where do you get your nurturing, your support, your empowerment, your energy?”
Melody Beattie (Journey to the Heart)

I have a friend who is in a relationship that cuts her off from the rest of the world. She tries to make the best of it, to focus on the positives, but little by little, other people have been cut out of her life—her friends, her siblings, even her own children will no longer come around. She chooses this one person to be her source for everything.

One of the hallmarks of a good relationship is not conformity, but diversity. How free are the individuals to be themselves, to express themselves in whatever way is native to them, to share their time and talents with whomever they choose. The yardstick of a healthy relationship is not how close we are, but how much space we can allow one another, and still feel deeply connected. Each individual flourishes and grows, and brings back to the partnership renewed energy and vitality.

It is not possible to be in a restrictive relationship and maintain health. We humans, in the final analysis, are pack-animals. It really does take a village to nurture, and support, and empower each of us to be who we are meant to be in this world. That's why we're here—to be the ultimate us. We can't do that in a vacuum.

Today, look around. Who is your village? Who helps you grow? Who champions you? Who believes in you? Move in their direction.

                                                               In the Spirit,
                                                                   Jane



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