Relationships - Steve Maraboli

Fairytale Relationships

I don’t mind when people tell me that my relationship ideals are a fairytale. If it is a fairytale to be loved, to be respected, to have passion, a moving and active love — if that is fairytale, then yes. If mutual respect, love, lust and friendship is a fairytale, then of course! I want to be in love with you, in lust with you, in like with you… it’s a multidimensional world why would I want a one-dimensional relationship?

10 Things You MUST Know About Relationships

Life has a way of answering questions you didn’t even ask. As I reflect upon my adult life so far, I find this to be especially true when it comes to relationships. From being the recipient and the perpetrator of heartbreak, to cyclically selecting the wrong type, to over expectation, to self-doubt, to romantic bliss… the list is seemingly endless on the ways I have grown in my understanding of relationship dynamics. While I’m sure there is still plenty of room for self-sabotage and reflective growth, this is a list of 10 nuggets of wisdom I am happy to have shaped from my experiences thus far. I share this with the hope it will resonate with some of you, maybe even help; these are messages I have found in the mess 1. Healthy relationships come from within. Just because you are available for a relationship doesn’t mean you are ready for one. If you’re not comfortable enough with yourself or with your own truth when entering a relationship, then you’re not ready for that relationship. Don’t make the other person suffer for your own lack of integrity or inability to embrace the truths of your life.

A Funeral for Past Relationships

We’ve all been there. Engulfed in the pain of a dead relationship. The people around us tell us to move on, but how? We feel we need closure and we tend to make the mistake of waiting to get it from someone else. It rarely happens. So instead of closure, we are left with pain, sadness, anger, confusion… wounds that unless dealt with will become emotional scars that will later be described as “baggage”.

Relationships: “Why are you so full of Sh!t?”

Reflections from an airport… I’m here an hour and a half early for my flight back to NY, so I’m sitting here at my gate watching all the people walk by. It’s amazing the things you can pick up by people watching. You can almost feel the stress on some while you can’t help but smile at the happiness of others.

Nourishing Relationships

Relationships challenge us; they always have and always will. There is a constant conflict between the common relationship dynamic and our innate narcissistic needs. It seems this attempt to find a healthy balance in our relationships often causes an emotional and manifested tug of war. This leads us to lose sight of how to nourish our relationships. If you want to strengthen your relationship, remember this: Our relationships, whether business or personal, are nourished and shaped by the commitment we express through our actions. Break-free from the relationship-poisoning mindset of narcissism! Don’t be a taker; healthy relationships require balance. Give with your words and be extra generous with your deeds. Remember, while words can be powerful, eloquent, and lasting, it is our committed action that will ultimately serve as the defining factor of our relationships. If you make a conscious effort to ensure your words are in alignment with your actions, you can be confident that you will build strong relationships with others who do the same. © Steve Maraboli From the book, “Unapologetically You”

We Live in a Multidimensional World

“We live in a multidimensional world. Why would you live a one-dimensional love? If you love someone… feel it, speak it, show it, be it. Do more than tell them… show them. Let them feel your dedicated respect and your unwavering devotion.