How to Have a Healthy Relationship

There are reliable tools that can be used to create a healthy relationship, many of which have not been taught in our culture. If you want to have a really healthy relationship, follow these simple guidelines.

Do not expect anyone to be responsible for your happiness. Too often relationships fail because someone is unhappy and blames their partner for making them that way. Make yourself happy first, and then share his or her happiness. Do not do anything for your partner if it comes with an expectation of reciprocation. The things you do for your partner must always be done because you chose to do them and you wanted to do them.

Tell the unarguable truth. Many people are taught to lie to protect someone’s feelings, either their own or those of their partner. Lies create disconnection in a relationship, even if your partner never finds out about it.

Forgive one another. Forgiveness is a process of ending your anger or resentment towards another individual. It can have the power to transcend all offenses, great and small, and learning to forgive another takes patience, honesty, and respect.

Make and keep clear agreements. For example, if you say you’re going to meet your partner for lunch at noon, be on time, or call if you’re going to be late.

Be Responsible. Here’s a new definition: Responsible means that you have the ability to respond. It does not mean you are to blame.

Approach your relationship as a learning experience. Each one has important information for you to learn. For example, do you often feel ‘bossed’ around in your relationship, or do you feel powerless? When a relationship is not working, there is usually a familiar way that we feel while in it.

Appreciate yourself and your partner. In the midst of an argument, it can be difficult to find something to appreciate.

Review your expectations. Try to be as clear as you can about any expectations – including acceptable and unacceptable behaviour and attitudes, especially attitudes towards money.  Use communication to establish a common ground to understand different points of view and to create a mutual, collaborative agreement or plan.

Source: www.wikihow.com