BUILD RELATIONSHIP COMMUNITY

Saturday, July 19, 2008

How To Build Trust in Relationships By Susie and Otto Collins

How do you build trust in relationships? We've found the secret is constant communication, one moment at a time. We both came from dead-end relationships from a state of vulnerability but with a strong desire for a different kind of relationship--a relationship filled with passion, love, honesty, friendship and most of all, partnership.

Safety and trust are the twin sides of the same coin--both involve risk and both form the foundation of any great relationship. Safety is the feeling you get when you have trust. Trust means not only learning to trust others but it's learning to trust yourself--especially if you've been in less than desirable relationships in the past.

From the beginning, we've practiced honesty and not hiding, no matter how painful the truth is. When you've been used to "sparing" the other person or not saying something because it might hurt their feelings or rock the boat, it's very difficult to open up and speak your truth. But we believe this is absolutely necessary to form a solid foundation of trust between two people.

People often will trust a total stranger before trusting an intimate partner because that total stranger cannot hurt them like they imagine a partner can. Tony Robbins tells a great story about how we all trust every single day of our lives while driving our cars. The fact of the matter is--it takes a great deal of trust to drive down a road at 55 mph with another car coming the other way at 55 mph and only one white line separating the two of you. The potential for danger is great--you don't know that other person; you don't know if they've been drinking; you don't know if they'll stay on their side of the road. That, my friend, takes a lot of trust.

The challenge is to exhibit the same amount of trust in our relationships--knowing, believing, trusting that the other person is acting from their highest good.

Two of the thought patterns that destroy trust in relationships are dwelling on past pain (whether with this person or others)and futurizing about potential negative events that haven't happened. Every time your mind starts to make up wild stories that involve abandonment, guilt, jealousy--those old tapes that just keep running and don't seem to stop--bring yourself back to the present moment and differentiate the past and the future the present. If you focus on "now" and what you want, you will build trust between you and your partner.

When we have these negative feelings, we talk about them--not hiding them but being honest. We've found that when we acknowledge that the source of these feelings originated from past experiences, the situation is not threatening to the other person and we are able to let those negative thoughts go.

If you place your attention on either worrying about past relationships or question where this relationship is going in the future, you lose the opportunity to be in the moment for yourself and your partner. You also lose the opportunity to build the trust that you need between the two of you. If you are in a relationship that has gone through some challenges, you can't heal the distance and pain between the two of you by dwelling on the past or fearing the future. You must look at where you are at the present time.

Build trust one moment at a time--remember what Dan Millman said, "There are no ordinary moments."

posted by Al-Irsyad at 10:31 PM 0 comments

Keeping A Marriage Romantic By Alan Detwiler

Romantic relationships happen because of the hopes and dreams a couple has for a happy life together. The relationship will be pleasant and rewarding as long as you are aware of what inspires those hopes and dreams.

This article suggests ways for staying aware of what makes your relationship worthwhile and wonderful.

Nothing is perfect --

Don't expect a perfect relationship. That happens only in fairy tales. Problems will occur. You will get hurt. Being too concerned with the problems will stop you from paying enough attention to what is good in the relationship.

If perfection is the goal, you will compare how the relationship is now to what you think it should be. You will be continually disappointed. Making the relationship better should be the goal. If love happens, it will be based on believing that both of you can continue to build a good relationship.

Your attitude should signal the other person that you will try to patiently work through each other's shortcomings. It won't be easy. Being tolerant and non-condemning is a challenge. But consciously making an effort to be tolerant goes a long way.

Build Upon What Is Good --

Find activities that you both like and do them together. These can be activities such as gardening, cooking, hobbies, conversation, recreation, an interest in art, charity volunteering, and family activities. Having interests that are shared, keeps a couple involved in each other's lives.

Share ideas to find ways to more enjoy living. Tell your sweetheart about strategies you use for such things as achieving goals and enjoying yourself. Tell each other about what you think is interesting, what is worthwhile, and what is encouraging. If you share positive ideas, you will think of each other as pleasant and enjoyable.

Encourage your partner to act and make decisions. Both of you will be able to accomplish more with the other's support and encouragement. When there is a disagreement, be patient. If you need to criticize, offer an attractive alternative rather than a condemnation. Your encouragement likely will produce more good results than will your objections.

The good things in life are much more important than the disappointments. Reward yourself and your partner for the good in what you are doing and take some time to do what you enjoy.

posted by Al-Irsyad at 10:19 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

7 Tips To Knowing If The Relationship Is Serious

Sometimes it is hard to determine if any relationship is serious. It is even more difficult online!

1. The relationship is serious if...

Both of you no longer communicate with other on/offline singles. The operative word is "both" of you no longer communicated with other singles.

The two of you are in constant communication with each other. You both look forward to "being" with each other any way you can.

2. The relationship is serious if...

Both singles have divulged all information about themselves and their lives. Nothing is being held back. There are no hidden secrets, and you are sure of it!

3. The relationship is serious if...

If there are "additional" children...you already know about it. If there is a DUI...it has been explained and dealt with. If there is a potential bankruptcy pending...it has been discussed.

4. The relationship is serious if...

Each of you is working to make yourself and your life better. Not only for yourself, but for each other.

You are both working on health issues, financial issues, living environment, etc.

Each of you are committed to giving 100% of yourselves to each other and the relationship.

5. The relationship is serious if...

You have both volunteered to remove the online dating site. Not coerced into it...but volunteered.

6. The relationship is serious if...

The infatuation period is over! The both of you have "settled down" into the relationship. You have had mutually disagreements that have been resolved through negotiations.

7. The relationship is serious if...

The Rose Colored Glasses have come off, and you still want to be in the relationship with each other.

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posted by Al-Irsyad at 3:35 AM 0 comments