Happily Ever After
By Dominique Marguerite, Ph.D.
By Dominique Marguerite, Ph.D.
To get to know yourself can be a scary process because humans naturally prefer the security of the familiar. Self-knowledge is easy to put off in our striving to build a relationship, but it cannot be put off forever.
Try this. Form an alliance with your partner. Commit to help each other explore who you are. Don't think of it as solving a problem or debating pros and cons. Make the time, and take the time, to talk and listen to each other with great care. No answers allowed, only questions and encouragement to keep talking. Drain the well of bitterness, give voice to personal thoughts on topics large and small. |
Conversation means truly listening and taking in what the other person is saying. By doing this, you allow each other equal opportunity to influence the relationship. Eventually, you may be able to discuss areas of conflicts, with understanding of the other point of view as the goal. Where possible, negotiate solutions to conflicts or agree to accept differences within the relationship. Then live happily ever after.
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Copyright 2008 Dominique Marguerite Ph.D.