Relationships help us to define who we are and what we can become. In your own life,consider how relationships have shaped your character, values, and interest. Relationships are the greatest treasures in life and an immense source of joy.
Most people can trace their failures or successes to pivotal relationships. That's because all relationships involve transference. When we interact with others we exchange energy, emotions, ideas, and values. Some relationships reinforce our values and uplift us; while others undercut our convictions and drain us. While we cannot choose every relationship in our lives, on the whole, we get to select those who are closest to us.
Relationship Rules
- Get along with yourself
The one relationship you will have until you die is yourself.
- Value people
You cannot make another person feel important if you secretly feel that he or she is a nobody.
- Make the effort to form relationships
The result of a person who has never served others? Loneliness.
- Understand the Reciprocity Rule
Over time, people come to share reciprocal, similar attitudes toward each other.
- Follow the Golden Rule
The timeless principle: treat others the way you want to be treated.
