HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

Everyone wants one… but how easy is it to achieve?
Statistics show that almost 1/2 of all marriages end in divorce. This staggering statistic illustrates that the art of finding and maintaining healthy relationships might be an elusive commodity.

What are the "10 rules to insure unhappiness in a relationship?"

• Thou shall make me happy
  
• Thou shall not have any interests other than me
  
• Thou shall know what I want and what I feel without me having to say anything
  
• Thou shall return each one of my sacrifices with an equal or greater sacrifice
  
• Thou shall shield me from anxiety, worry, hurt, or any pain
  
• Thou shall give me my sense of self-worth and esteem
  
• Thou shall be grateful for everything I do
  
• Thou shall not be critical of me, show anger toward me or otherwise disapprove of anything I do
  
• Thou shall be so caring and loving that I need never take risks or be vulnerable in any way
  
• Thou shall love me with thy whole heart, thy whole soul, and thy whole mind, even if I do not love myself.

What is the most commonly forgotten element of a healthy relationship?
Surpassingly, the answer is quite simple. You must learn to love yourself before you can love someone else. Anytime you are not connected with yourself, or find yourself "lost" in a relationship, you can be assured of unhappiness.

People say that healthy relationships have boundaries, what does that mean?
Healthy relationships have elements of separateness and individuality. Partners know where they start and their partner begins. Healthy partners realize that they are free to disagree, have different opinions, and create relationship which are free from smothering, invasive behaviors, controlling, and power struggles.

Wondering if your relationship falls into the "healthy" category?
Here are some of the key elements of a healthy relationship.

• Relationship that encourages individuality and separation without fear of abandonment
  
• A relationship that invites growth
  
• A relationship that nurtures open and honest communication
  
• A relationship in which it is safe to express feelings of all types in an appropriate manner
  
• A relationship that builds self esteem
  
• A relationship built on commitment to resolution
  
• A relationship that encourages trust and respect
  

Wondering about some good titles for books relating to relationships?
Try these authors…

JOHN GRAY (MEN ARE FROM MARS WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS)
JOHN GRAY (MARS AND VENUS ON A DATE)
LOUISE HAY (LEARNING TO LOVE YOURSELF)
JOY MILLER (ADDICTIVE RELATIONSHIPS: RECLAIMING YOUR BOUNDARIES)