Communication with Understanding is the Only Relationship Salvation 1

It should come as no surprise that relationships are never easy.  When two individuals come together, they bring personal ideals, aspirations, opinions, and baggage.  It is impossible (and downright absurd) to believe that you will both be on the same page 100% of the time.  You have to come to terms with the fact that there will be conflict, but with conflict, there needs to be resolution.  That is, if you want the relationship to last and grow.  Which is why, it is extremely important to understand that Communication with Understanding is the Only Relationship Salvation. 

The Mission: To identify that Communication with Understanding is the Only Relationship Salvation.

So, I’m mostly talking about a romantic relationship, but this post can be applied to any relationship: friends, co-workers, family or hell, even your pets.  The key to any successful relationship is communication.  I know you’ve heard this all before, but I’m going to give you the extra step, the secret to making your struggling relationship a success.

Sure, you and your partner-in-crime can talk out your feelings to your heart’s content.  You can talk and scream so much that your voices go hoarse.  Being polite by letting the other person talk when it’s their turn, is the key to communication.  Yes, this is true, but the secret to a victorious communication session is often missed.

You must really listen to the other person.  Listen to what they are saying, feel how they are feeling and understand their point of view.  Coming together as one isn’t possible.  Two people can never be one.  Two people must come together as a team.  Therefore, the only way to become that super team is to learn each other, learn the dynamic of the relationship and understand each other’s ideals, aspirations, opinions and baggage.  To summarize, really understand the person you are involved with.  This may be a ‘duh’ concept, but we, as humans, are so ego-based that is easy to forget that the other person is an ego-based human too. 

If a problem arises, we immediately go inward, get defensive and get ready to fight for ourselves.  Emotions bubble up, feelings get hurt and arguments brew.  You think you are doing right by “communicating”.  But because of these negative energies and high-strung emotions, more often than not, the communication of choice ends up in an argument with even bigger emotions. 

Here’s the secret: Communication with Understanding is the Only Relationship Salvation.  Stay calm in your discussion.  Speak from the heart and express your feelings.  Don’t place blame on the other person.  OK, they did you dirty and you got all butt hurt, don’t scream at them and blame them for their wrong-doing.  Instead, tell them how their actions have hurt you.  Because nine times out of ten, your anger is coming from being hurt.  That anger is just a defense mechanism.  Tell them how you feel.  And if someone is coming at you with their feelings, understand where they are coming from.  Listen to them and in return, they should listen to you. 

From there, once all those icky feelings are out in the open, make a plan.  This is where the real work comes in.  If the relationship is worth having, it’s worth fighting for.  And since you are team, then you have to work towards the common goal.  The common goal is learning each other, growing with each other and understanding that you are both wonderful individuals with separate personalities coming together to make one life together.

This should go without saying, but if the relationship is toxic then cut your losses and go in separate directions.  In addition to that, if there is a lack of understanding and work in a relationship, take a hard look at what your ideal relationship looks like.

The Moral: Communication with Understanding is the Only Relationship Salvation.  The key word there is “understanding”.  Without it, you are just babbling.  Speak your truth and speak it from the heart.  Set your ego aside and work with your teammate to Enlighten, Encourage and Embrace Your Journey Called Life.

Enlighten, Encourage & Embrace your Journey Called Life.

Encourage more content!  
Like, Follow, Share, Comment, and Subscribe