by KC Kelly, Ph.D., LMHC
It’s all about relationships. Being human is all about being in relationships. Relationships, whether familial, platonic, or romantic, all can provide us with love, support, understanding, and acceptance. At the same time, relationships can also be a source of stress, unhappiness, and uncertainty. In general, relationships take work! They usually do not just happen, but need care, nurturing, and patience to develop.
What makes a relationship work? What should you do if you feel closer to someone than they feel towards you? What is co-dependency and do you suffer with this? Why do some relationships turn abusive, and why do people stay in them? Why are breakups so difficult? How can you get beyond a broken heart and move on to a happy and fulfilled life?
These are just some of the very difficult questions people ask all the time. The answers are very individually based on the unique situation of the people involved. Talking with the right professional can certainly help you can get the answers.
Many people believe that love will see them through anything the future may hold, only to come to understand that relationships take much more than just love. While this idea is romantic and passionate sounding, it is not always most realistic. Again, relationships take work! After a solid foundation is built between two people, relationships can flourish into long lasting bonds of friendships and/or years of marital bliss.
Breaking up, whether a close friendship, a romantic relationship, or a marriage can be devastating! It can be as painful as experiencing a death of a loved one because in essence, the relationship is dead and you have lost a big part of your life. The extreme feelings of fear, hurt and/or anger can be overwhelming. You can find yourself on an emotional roller coaster that feels intolerable and as if it will never end. Because relationship loss resembles that of death, many people go through the grieving process which can take from days, to months to even years to recover. The good news is, recovery can be an opportunity for healing, growth, learning about yourself, and excitement for a new and bright future! One which will still come back to the idea that it is all about relationships!
Please visit us at http://DOCintheBiz.com for our mental health self help links and the opportunity to email Dr. KC for professional and confidential help with any concerns you may have regarding relationship issues or any other issues you may be facing! You are never alone!
This article is copyrighted by docinthebiz.com and may be respectfully re-distributed for non-commercial educational purposes granted that website link and author credit remain intact.
20 Responses
Benny Greenberg
10|May|2008 1Life is all about relationships - that is so so true. It does not matter what kind of relationship or with whom - it is all about relationships and understanding the dynamics of the one you working on and how to make the relationship a positive one.
Fantastic ideas on this post - I can’t wait to see what people are thinking!
Dr Roger
10|May|2008 2Touche! You hit so many good points! You have a great way of putting hard and difficult information across to your readers.
Dr. Roger
Shilpan | successsoul.com
10|May|2008 3Hi Dr Kelly,
You have a beautiful blog. I believe that every relationship has its own place in our life. It’s when we start mingling those relationships, we find ourselves in enigma and chaos. I have a role as a husband, a father and a son. Knowing my strengths and weaknesses in each role allows me to reflect upon my ability to transcend a difficult relationship into an enjoyable life journey.
I just subscribed to you blog. Keep up the good work.
Thanks
Shilpan
J.D. Meier
10|May|2008 4Yes, relationships are key!
Whether it’s for fun, support, mentoring, you name it. I don’t see enough teaming up at work and it surprises me — it’s how I amplify my results. I prune my network like a bonzai tree (small, but effective and quality)
I think the keys are to first know yourself and be yourself — otherwise, your friends are based on a fake you. Then I think the next key is to be the friend you’d want others to be — and there’s a lot to be said for like, attracts like. One of the early things I learned is psych is “opposites attract, but similatrities bind.” Another interesting thing I learned is that people like people that are like themselves, unless they don’t like themselves, then they like people that don’t like them. I see this pattern show up time and again.
Glen
11|May|2008 5I like the way you have opened up lots of questions at the beginning of the post to create curiosity. Also linking negative emotions with consequences of broken relationships. Consciously cultivating relationships is so much more important than people give credit too, many people take them for granted and just assume that things are always fine. They allow their relationships to drift openly and freely. This will probably be part of your consultation but offering then an example maybe a blog post on some of the many ways that people could use to cultivate their relationship would be both interesting and useful.
hope this view offers you some inspiration
Glen
sandy
11|May|2008 6Your site is very impressive, I’m looking forward to reading more.
Sandy
One thing, you certainly don’t look 97….and as a professional Makeup Artist at 61, I’d like to know your secret?
http://www.artistrybysandy.stumbleupon.com
Jack Payne
11|May|2008 7It’s said that hypocrisy is the Vaseline of social intercourse. Something like this approach seems to be all around us in today’s modern world. I was lucky, 1 wife, 50 years (she passed on 6 weeks after our Golden Wedding Anniversary). To this day I go to the lakeside every day, feed the ducks, and thank the Lord for the blessing of having her for the better part of my adult life.
Just in passsing. Actually I have nothing to add to this discussion. Only thought a glimpse of the brighter side was appropos here.
Dr. KC
11|May|2008 8Dear Benny,
Relationships certainly are what make us tick. No matter with whom they are. Our significant other, our family member, our neighbor…
There will always be kinks on our relationships, but you are certainly correct…
What truly matters is the way we iron out those kinks to make our relationships positive ones.
Thank you so much for your comment! Please keep reading and sharing!
Dr. KC
wwww.DOCintheBiz.com
Dr. KC
11|May|2008 9Dear Dr. Roger,
I’m glad you enjoyed the article.
Thank you so much and please keep reading!
Dr. KC
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com
Dr. KC
11|May|2008 10Dear Shilpan,
You make an amazing point here. We all have many different relationships in our lives. Each one is unique and all of them are ones in which we “wear different hats.” Each relationship demands and necessitates different requirements from us. Many times we find ourselves juggling our emotions and our time.
You have a very positive outlook and seem to be doing a great job at being there as a great father, son and husband. You speak of knowing your strengths and limitations and this is the first step in reducing the stress involved in trying to make all your relationships positive ones.
Thank you so much for the kind words about my blog and I’m thrilled you have subscribed. I look forward to continuing to bring you useful information to help you with your journey towards an even more happy and fulfilled life.
Dr. KC
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com
Dr. KC
11|May|2008 11Dear J.D. Meier,
You bring up a very interesting point about people liking those who are like they are.
Opposites can attract, for sure; however, perhaps they have to be two very compromising people. And this holds true for both personal and work related relationships, if the two people are to get along.
If two people in any kind of relationship are working towards the same goal, they do not have to necessarily think alike, but need to respect the qualities that they do not share with their partner and support the other’s goals despite. Two people in a relationship need to be on similar paths, but I find it healthy for them to each have their own individual goals to reach as well.
The key of course, is knowing who you are, what you are about, and loving yourself. It has been noted that it is very difficult to love someone unless you love yourself first. I completely agree with that point you brought up.
If you are working on a specific goal, at work for instance, I think that like minded people would probably get the job done more quickly; however, never underestimate different mindsets as this may lead to a very innovative and creative outcome to an assignment.
Thank you so much for your comment and please keep reading!
Dr. KC
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com
Dr. KC
11|May|2008 12Dear Glen,
You are correct. I have seen many couples who have taken each other for granted for years, only to regret doing so once the relationship was over, due to choice or death. It is true that you don’t know what you have until it is gone, and I think that might sum up your point here. Very great insight you have given!
Thank you so much for your comment and please keep reading!
Dr. KC
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com
Dr. KC
11|May|2008 13Dear Sandy,
Thank you so much for your sweet comment.
Unfortunately, I cannot give out my secrets as I have been sworn to keep someone’s confidence.
I’m glad you found me here. Please keep reading and sending your comments.
Dr. KC
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com
Dr. KC
11|May|2008 14Dear Jack,
To the contrary, you did indeed have a lot to offer this discussion! You have shared hope that love can last for 50 years and even beyond that! You have given many who have and will read this comment, optimism and possibility for the kind of love that you have been so blessed to have! That love will never diminish and the best part is that you know it and appreciate it!
Thank you so much for your comment and I hope you will continue to read and share your thoughts.
Dr. KC
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com
Dr. Nicole Sundene
12|May|2008 15I think it is important to understand what purpose the person you are breaking up with served in your life so that you can grow from the situation. Having long term relationships with anyone in life means practicing lot’s of forgiveness and learning to be extremely flexible. Not everyone can be everything for every person, but they can be something. Just because someone was once very special to you doesn’t mean they no longer have to be. This kind of thinking helps me when ending any kind of relationship whether business, or personal, in order to create the best possible positive outcome.
David Tamayo
12|May|2008 16I really enjoyed this post. Our relationships help define our individual universes and ultimately our lives. Very good and by the response very helpful indeed. Great site!
Dr. KC
12|May|2008 17Dear Dr. Nicole,
I agree that having all the answers we “need” to move on from a breakup would make things a lot easier for us. However, since many times we don’t get the answers we ask for or want, we have to make “alternative arrangements”.
Being happy and comfortable with who we are as a person should be enough and should be in place before we even begin any relationship. That’s why self love, a good self esteem, a sense of independence and knowing who we are, are key to being and remaining emotionally healthy. This holds especially true during low times such as a breakup which can no doubt be devastating. This is when we have to pull strength from anywhere we can find it deep within ourselves. I know this kind of strength is difficult to find when we need it most, but keep looking and searching because it IS there!
You are indeed correct when you say that relationships take a lot of flexibility and forgiveness. Any relationship worth having is worth working on to maintain and keep positive.
Thank you for your comment and please keep reading and posting!
Dr. KC
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com
Dr. KC
12|May|2008 18Dear David,
I agree with you 100%. Relationships and the way we “run them,” meaning the way we treat others and allow others to treat us, do define us and our lives.
Thank you for your comment and please keep reading!
Dr. KC
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com
Benny Greenberg
13|May|2008 19I think that too many people believe that relationships are all about them and not about the other. More people need to read Emersons Essays on Compensation - once you read it - you will read it 100 times.
I enter all relationships - never looking for a thing - if I give - I give because I want to - when I give I give because I want to - I do not look for a thing in return - and thusly - I get more than I ever imagined!
Try it - you may love it!
Ben
Dr. KC
13|May|2008 20Dear Ben,
I love what you have to say and these are some common phrases that I often use, “Be kind to me and I’ll be kind to you times 10.” “Make me happy and I’ll make you happy times 10.”
It seems that the happier you make a person, the happier he/she will be and the happier he/she will make you in return. That holds true for any healthy relationship.
Thanks for your comment and please keep reading and posting.
Dr. KC
http://www.DOCintheBiz.com
Leave a reply
Search
Categories
Recent Posts
Subscribe By Email
Recent Comments
Blogcatalog
Archives
Links
A design creation of Design Disease
Copyright © 2007 - DOCintheBiz - is proudly powered by WordPress
InSense 1.0 Theme by Design Disease brought to you by HostGator Web Hosting.