Vanessa's Take On Relationships

I don't claim to know how to have a perfect relationship with anyone.  But, I do know that it takes a few things to make any relationship work.

Everyone makes mistakes.  Forgive.  If you are the one who made the mistake, apologize.  Life is too short to hold grudges. 

Don't judge each other.  You can point out things that alarm you but you have to take the block of wood out of your own eye before you point out the speck of wood in someone elses!

Communicate.  If there is a problem, tell the other person.  Don't talk behind their back.  Don't judge them based on what you think is going on.  Talk to them.  Find out what is going on and offer to help if you can. 

Build each other up.  Be considerate.  People are not perfect.  But, pointing out someones flaws is not what builds and strengthens a relationship.  Point out the good qualities in that person and encourage them.  Your words have a lot of power and although tearing someone down is easier than building someone up, it is what we are to do.

Of course, these rules do not apply to toxic relationships.  A relationship where abuse is present is never a relationship that should be encouraged.

Vanessa