Relationships

There is probably nothing that challenges us more than our relationships, since every aspect, every nuance of our life involves a relationships of some sort. Every waking and sleeping moment we are engaged in a relationship with something or someone....with our spouse, boss, children, friends; with co-workers, strangers; with our thoughts, dreams; and finally ourselves.

So in many ways this area of practice is the ultimate one, the one that we can acknowledge without a second thought is ever-changing and never-ending. We are never completely alone, for even when any given relationship is not active there is still a connection with that person. And it is important to remember that our behavior affects those we are in relationship with and vice versa. Remember, we are alone and solely responsible for our actions.

Here's how the practice of being challenged in relationship works:

Whenever the behavior of someone else bothers you, turn your focus around, observe your reation to this person, and ask yourself what it is about this that disturbs you so much, and why.

You should know that you cannot control anyone else....you can be a guide and a teacher and a power of example, but you can determine how someone else will ultimately think or behave.
Practice giving others the freedom to express and be themselves as they uniquely, without expecting them to conform to your idea of who they are or who you'd like them to be.

Communicate; compassionate communicate, caring communicate, and loving communicate.

Listen; listen attentively; listen carefully.

Let the most important human relationship you have be the one with yourself; from there you will be able to love others.

Never take anything too personally.

Never take anyone or anything for granted.

Express yourself. And rather than pointing out to someone that their behavior is bad or wrong, let them know how their behavior affects you.

Be alert, aware, mindful, caring, generous, forgiving, loving, gracious, and kind to yourself and others. All the time.