Detox your Relationships this New Year?

Relationships are essential to live a fulfilled life, a lot of us are making resolutions to eat better, drink more green smoothies, exercise, and drink more water but, the truth is no matter how much your diet changes you will still be unhappy if your relationships are not nurtured.  Having a high quality relationship adds meaning to our crazy lives, by giving support, love, and joy!  Sometimes through life we realize some relationships do not serve each other and we must let go and go our separate ways.  Relationships have to be equal in;" How much you put in you may get back!"  Sometimes this does not hold true but, for the most part YES it does.  Depending on one's circumstance one person may need the other more, and that is fine. 

Be clear in your wants and needs in a relationship.  Be clear on boundaries in the relationship to prevent being taken advantage of, and having resent.  Everyone has different wants and needs, be respectful.  If each person in the relationship knows their wants and needs then they are equipped in nourishing the relationship.  Having a relationship we find it easy to speak but, never truly listen.  Listen to others and not interrupt or judge.  Listen with an open mind and heart.  Do not plan out what you are going to say next, just listen! 

Take a good look at our relationships is key this year, determine which need; needs to be put on the back burner, which one's will end and which ones you need to focus energy on.  It is scary to say, good bye to some but, if it is too hard put them on the back burner until you decide if you want them in your life in the future.  Now focus on individuals that serve you, contact them, spend more time with them, and nourish them. 

We all struggle with finding time, and finding time to invest in good solid relationships may seem impossible.  Taking a hard look at this upcoming year and your busy schedule is essential to make time for relationships.  What do you normally do by yourself that you might be able to do with someone else?  Look for opportunities to connect with others during your busy life.  Some Examples; can be a telephone call (no texting), hand written letters, dates in or out of the house with your spouse, play board games with your children or read to them (your children can read to you), encourage, hug more (most adults are touch starved), smile, write thank you's (this can be simple as a thank you for being in your life), give compliments!  Connecting with others makes us feel safe, and freedom to express our feelings, hopes and dreams. 

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; if one falls down, his friend can help him up.”  Ecclesiastes 4:9