Most folks live, work or play with other folks. We all need the
skills to play nicely together. Where do we get those skills and
tools? And, what are they?
It is not rocket science to understand that our early training
continues to play out in our lives. What we did in our families
tends to be our base line until we decide to consciously change
our minds. There are far too many people...believe me, I know,
having been a therapist for years...who spend their lives
blaming their families for the present conditions of their lives.
Sure, some people have been badly treated, even abused, and I am
not dismissing their pain in any way. Most folks have not,
however, and many continue to hold on to the 'if-only' and 'they
done me wrong' mentality as a defense against moving forward in
their lives. You can change your mind at any time, can't you?
You can choose to play on your own team and be your own ally in
creating the life you say you want.
Do you ever let the old patterns you learned or observed in your
family life infringe on your current relationships? Do you have
a fear or an unwillingness to trust new folks on the basis of
your history with other folks? Is this serving you well? I doubt
it.
When I was a therapist, couples would come to me. One, or both,
would complain of being compared to their partner's last love,
lover, wife or husband - and, usually not favorably, either. I
can think of one case that was particularly overt. The man
complained that his partner was flaunting her sexuality at every
man she met. He said she even spent too long chatting with the
checkout person in the grocery store, longer than was necessary
in his opinion, and he considered it flirting. He said that,
when she bent down to choose groceries from the bottom shelf,
she did it in a sexually aggressive way. Having seen this woman
in the community for several years, I had not noticed any overt
sexuality on her part.
As we worked together, it turned out, as you have probably
guessed by now, that his former wife ran off with another man.
His belief was that, if he had been more vigilant for the signs
he was now hyper-vigilant of in his current partner, he would
still be married to his first wife and at home with his
children. His current partner was in a no-win situation.
Although she was now more conscious of everything she did and
was feeling quite anxious and tense about her every move, there
really was nothing she could do until this man took the pain of
his last experience and left it behind with his former wife.
Certainly, you learn from experience. Hopefully, you become
wiser. It is unfair, however, to transfer one experience to
another in such a paranoid fashion as this fellow. Wisdom, yes;
paranoia, no.
To have rich rewarding relationships with others as partners,
co-workers, colleagues or relatives, you have to have a rich and
rewarding relationship with yourself. IT'S THAT SIMPLE!
Do you approve of yourself? If so, great; If not, what would you
have to do to earn your own approval? Popular magazines tell you
that you must be your own best friend. What does this mean?
Stop. Ask yourself if you are willing to do for yourself what
you are willing to do for your friends. Some folks will put
themselves out to do something for another person and yet they
won't get off the couch for themselves. They may be more
comfortable spending money on another than on themselves. They
may go places that interest them with another but they will not
go alone. If a movie is worth seeing, it's worth seeing, isn't
it?
Really great relationships begin with really great relationships
with yourself. There's another important ingredient, though.
Before you say anything about your partner, co-worker or
relative, ask yourself if you are doing what you want them to
do. I notice in my life with my husband that I cannot complain
about what he doesn't do if I am not holding up my end
completely. Life gets much easier when you are first sure you
are living up to your own expectations of others. The
conversation you have with yourself is much more
straightforward. Be sure you're doing what you expect them to
do...and that you have been demonstrating this behavior over
some time. No fair pointing out that he/she needs to participate
in an exercise program if you have not been demonstrating
consistently that you value exercise. This is dirty pool. No
fair saying someone else is putting on weight and it is
unattractive unless you are at a reasonable weight.
Why is this simple equation so often overlooked? Because we
project - we project our shortcomings on others. It's easier
than taking responsibility for our own, isn't it?
Want really great relationships? Have a fantastic, honest
relationship with yourself. That's the only way!
About the Author
Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
Keynotes, Seminars & Coaching for entrepreneurs & professionals
who want the motivation & strategies to achieve, to lead and to
live richly. Creator of the Living Richly™ Program Host of
Living Richly™ on www.wsRadio.ws. Author of OPTIMIZE Your Day!
Practical Wisdom for Optimal Living Optimize Life Now! San Diego, CA
www.OptimizeLifeNow.com