essay about harmonizing relationship with others

Living Peacefully with Others: A Path to Harmony

Living peacefully with others is a fundamental aspiration for many, as it paves the way for fulfilling relationships, strong communities, and a harmonious world. In this article, we will explore the art of living peacefully with others, offering practical strategies and insights to foster understanding, empathy, and unity in our interactions with those around us.

1. Cultivating Empathy

Empathy is the cornerstone of peaceful coexistence. To truly understand and connect with others, we must cultivate empathy. This involves:

• Listening actively and with an open heart.
• Attempting to see situations from another person’s perspective.
• Acknowledging and validating their feelings and experiences.

Empathy not only builds bridges but also fosters a deep sense of connection and understanding.

2. Effective Communication

Clear and respectful communication is vital in any relationship. To communicate effectively:

• Practice active listening, which involves paying full attention to the speaker.
• Use “I” statements to express your feelings and needs without blaming or accusing.
• Choose your words carefully to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts.

Effective communication is a powerful tool in resolving disagreements and building strong relationships.

3. Practicing Patience

Patience is a virtue that can greatly contribute to peaceful coexistence. When you encounter differences or conflicts, practice patience by:

• Taking a step back to avoid reacting impulsively.
• Allowing others the time and space to express themselves.
• Remaining calm and composed in challenging situations.

Patience helps defuse tense moments and allows for constructive dialogue.

4. Resolving Conflicts Constructively

Conflicts are a natural part of any relationship. The key is how we handle them. Constructive conflict resolution involves:

• Identifying the underlying issues rather than fixating on surface disagreements.
• Seeking common ground and mutually acceptable solutions.
• Understanding that compromise may be necessary for a peaceful resolution.

Conflict can be an opportunity for growth and strengthened relationships when resolved constructively.

5. Embracing Diversity

Our world is diverse, and embracing that diversity is crucial for peaceful coexistence. To do so:

• Acknowledge and appreciate the differences in cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds.
• Educate yourself about other cultures and perspectives.
• Be open to learning from and about others.

Embracing diversity enriches our lives and promotes unity within our global community.

6. Fostering Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a powerful tool for living peacefully with others. It involves:

• Letting go of grudges and resentment.
• Understanding that holding onto anger only perpetuates negativity.
• Moving forward with a sense of healing and closure.

Forgiveness not only frees the individual but also mends relationships and promotes harmony.

7. Setting Boundaries

Maintaining healthy boundaries is essential for peaceful living. Setting boundaries involves:

• Clearly communicating your needs and limits to others.
• Respecting the boundaries of others.
• Ensuring a balanced give-and-take in relationships.

Healthy boundaries create a sense of safety and respect within relationships.

8. Promoting Acts of Kindness

Kindness is a simple yet powerful way to foster harmony in our interactions. Acts of kindness can include:

• Offering a helping hand when someone is in need.
• Expressing gratitude and appreciation.
• Spreading positivity through small, thoughtful gestures.

Kindness ripples through communities and encourages a culture of goodwill.

9. Building Trust

Trust is the foundation of all healthy relationships. To build trust:

• Be reliable and follow through on commitments.
• Be honest and transparent in your interactions.
• Avoid betraying the trust of others through gossip or dishonesty.

Building and maintaining trust is essential for peaceful coexistence.

10. Embracing a Global Perspective

In an interconnected world, it’s essential to consider the broader impact of our actions and choices. By embracing a global perspective, we recognize that:

• Our choices can affect others far beyond our immediate circle.
• We are interconnected with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and regions.
• Global awareness can drive us to contribute positively to a more peaceful world.

The Impact of Living Peacefully with Others

The benefits of living peacefully with others are far-reaching:

• Healthier Relationships: Peaceful coexistence leads to stronger, more satisfying relationships with family, friends, and colleagues.
• Stress Reduction: Peaceful interactions reduce stress and promote mental and emotional well-being.
• Community Building: Peaceful living fosters a sense of community and unity, driving social and civic engagement.
• Conflict Resolution: Effective conflict resolution skills improve the quality of interactions and prevent prolonged disputes.
• Global Peace: A world where individuals live peacefully with others contributes to a more peaceful and just global society.

The art of living peacefully with others is a journey of self-discovery, empathy, and growth. It involves developing skills like effective communication, conflict resolution, and patience, along with embracing diversity and promoting acts of kindness. As we cultivate a sense of unity, understanding, and respect, we create a more peaceful and harmonious world. The path to peaceful coexistence is a shared endeavor, one that begins with each individual’s commitment to understanding, empathy, and the profound impact of harmonious living.

• Creating Harmony in Our Relationships With Others

Become what you wish to see in others and you will achieve complete understanding

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Excerpts from the writings of Paramahansa Yogananda

The greatest of all happiness, next to divine happiness, is to be at peace with one’s immediate relations, those with whom one must live every day in the year. When people try to handle the extremely complicated machinery of human feelings without any training whatsoever, the consequent results are often disastrous. Very few persons realize that most of our happiness lies in the art of understanding the law of human behavior. That is why so many people are often “in hot water” with their friends, and, worse yet, at constant war with their own best beloved ones at home.

The basic law of right human behavior is self-reform....Whenever any trouble occurs with our friends or dear ones, we should inwardly lay the blame on ourselves for getting into an unpleasant situation and then try to get out of it as fast and as graciously as we can. It is fruitless to increase the trouble by loudly, unkindly, discourteously blaming others, even though we find that they are to blame. We can teach quick-tempered dear ones to mend their faults a hundred times better by setting a good example than we can by harsh or self-righteous words.

Most of the time, people talk and act from their own viewpoint. They seldom see, or even try to see, the other person’s side. If, lacking understanding, you enter into a fight with someone, remember that each of you is as much to blame as the other, regardless of which one started the argument. “Fools argue; wise men discuss.”

To have calm feeling doesn’t mean that you always smile and agree with everyone no matter what they say — that you regard truth but don’t want to annoy anybody with it. This is going to the extreme. Those who try in this way to please everyone, with the desire of getting praise for their good nature, do not necessarily have control of feeling....Whoever has control of feeling follows truth, shares that truth wherever he can, and avoids annoying unnecessarily anyone who would not be receptive anyway. He knows when to speak and when to be silent, but he never compromises his own ideals and inner peace. Such a man is a force for great good in this world.

We should make ourselves attractive by wearing the fine garment of genuinely courteous language. We should first of all be courteous to our immediate relatives. When one can do that, he will be habitually kind to all people. Real family happiness has its foundation on the altar of understanding and kind words. It is not necessary to agree on everything in order to show kindness. Calm silence, sincerity, and courteous words, whether one is agreeing or disagreeing with others, mark the person who knows how to behave.

If you want to be loved, start loving others who need your love....If you want others to sympathize with you, start showing sympathy to those around you. If you want to be respected, you must learn to be respectful to everyone, both young and old....Whatever you want others to be, first be that yourself; then you will find others responding in like manner to you.

Spiritual Principles of Marriage

Two persons who unite their lives to help each other toward divine realization are founding their marriage on the right basis: unconditional friendship.

To develop pure and unconditional love between husband and wife, parent and child, friend and friend, self and all, is the lesson we have come on earth to learn.

True marriage is a laboratory in which poisons of selfishness, bad temper, and bad behavior may be poured into the test tube of patience and neutralized and changed by the catalytic power of love and constant effort to behave nobly.

If there is a habit or quality in your mate that rouses unlovely traits in your disposition, you should realize the purpose of this circumstance: to bring to the surface those poisons hidden within you so that you may eliminate them and thus purify your nature.

The greatest thing a husband or wife can wish for the spouse is spirituality; for soul unfoldment brings out the divine qualities of understanding, patience, thoughtfulness, love. But each should remember that the desire for spiritual growth cannot be forced on the other. Live love yourself, and your goodness will inspire all your loved ones.

When the husband serves the wife, and she serves him, each with the desire to see the other happy, Christ Consciousness — God’s loving Cosmic Intelligence that permeates every atom of creation — has begun to express itself through their consciousness.

When two people feel an unconditional attraction for each other, and are ready to sacrifice for one another, they are truly in love.

To wish for perfection for the loved one, and to feel pure joy in thinking of that soul, is divine love; and that is the love of true friendship.

Meditate together every morning, and especially at night....Have a little family altar where both husband and wife, and children, gather to offer deep devotion unto God and unite their souls forever in ever-joyous Cosmic Consciousness....The more you meditate together, the deeper your love for one another will grow.

Affirmation

“As I radiate love and goodwill to others, I will open the channel for God’s love to come to me. Divine love is the magnet that draws to me all good.

Further Exploration

• “Soul Union as the Original Purpose of Marriage,” Discourse 62, The Second Coming of Christ by Paramahansa Yogananda
• “The Art of Getting Along in This World,” Journey to Self-realization by Paramahansa Yogananda
• “Developing an Understanding Heart,” Finding the Joy Within You by Sri Daya Mata
• “Creating Harmony in Relationships With Others,” Finding the Joy Within You by Sri Daya Mata
• “Understanding One Another,” Only Love by Sri Daya Mata
• “The Divine Art of Making Friends,” Man’s Eternal Quest by Paramahansa Yogananda
• “Be a Conqueror of Hearts,” Journey to Self-realization by Paramahansa Yogananda
• Inspiration from Paramahansa Yogananda

Caring: Harmonizing the Threads of Human Connection

This essay about the essence of caring unveils the profound symphony that resonates through human connections. Exploring the intricate tapestry of existence, it highlights caring as an intangible force, delicately choreographing vulnerability and resilience. The text portrays caring as an art form, a masterpiece painted with strokes of kindness, consideration, and selflessness. Positioned as the cornerstone of human bonds, caring constructs bridges between families, friends, and strangers, nurturing a sense of belonging and mutual understanding. It into the diverse notes of the caring symphony, from the caregiver’s healing sonata to the attentive ballad that provides solace. The essay emphasizes caring’s transcendent nature, extending beyond interpersonal relationships to embrace a broader duty to the world and its inhabitants. It elucidates how caring serves as a catalyst for positive societal transformation, propelling movements for social justice and equality. Despite the challenges posed by the fast-paced world, the essay advocates for a deliberate effort to cultivate genuine connections, underscoring the significance of self-compassion in fostering a wellspring of caring. In conclusion, it portrays caring as an ethereal melody weaving a grand symphony of shared human existence, urging intentional composition with grace to celebrate our unique and harmonious interconnectedness.

How it works

Within the intricate tapestry of human existence, the melody that resonates through the threads of our collective journey is undoubtedly the sublime harmony of caring. It is a fundamental note in the symphony of our nature, an intangible force that interlaces us in ways both extraordinary and subtle. Caring transcends the constraints of culture, time, and circumstance, uniting us in a harmonious cadence of empathy and understanding.

At its essence, caring is a delicate choreography between vulnerability and resilience. It is the tender sway that cradles the fragility of life, recognizing the intricate dance between moments of bliss and sorrow.

In its purest form, caring is an artistic expression, a masterpiece painted with strokes of kindness, consideration, and selflessness.

In the realm of human connections, caring stands as the cornerstone upon which the grand architecture of bonds is erected. Whether manifesting as the unconditional love within families, the unwavering support among friends, or the altruistic compassion for strangers, caring constructs bridges that traverse the gaps of solitude. It serves as the adhesive that binds hearts together, nurturing a sense of belonging and mutual understanding.

The symphony of caring is composed of myriad notes, each representing a unique facet of compassion. There’s the caregiver’s gentle sonata, a healing melody for wounds both physical and spiritual. It is the attentive ballad, providing solace through the mere act of being present. Caring is the unspoken harmony that surpasses the limitations of language, a shared refrain that resonates when words falter.

In the expansive landscape of human emotions, caring emerges as a luminous beacon, illuminating even the darkest recesses. It becomes a wellspring of strength during adversities, a lifeline when we find ourselves navigating the tempests of life. Through caring, we uncover resilience in the face of challenges and the fortitude to weather the storms that assail us.

The core of caring extends beyond the boundaries of interpersonal relationships, embracing a broader duty to the world and its inhabitants. Caring for the environment, for instance, signifies an acknowledgment of our interconnectedness with the planet. It is a realization that the choices we make today ripple through the currents of time, influencing the well-being of generations yet to come.

Furthermore, caring serves as a catalyst for positive transformation in the collective consciousness of societies. It propels movements for social justice, equality, and humanitarian endeavors. When individuals and communities unite in caring for the welfare of all, they sow the seeds of a more compassionate and harmonious world.

However, the path of caring is not devoid of challenges. In a world characterized by rapid pace and constant upheavals, the demands of daily life can threaten to diminish the precious moments we allocate to nurturing relationships and expressing kindness. The incessant flow of information, distractions, and responsibilities can cast a shadow on our ability to be fully present and attuned to the needs of others.

Cultivating caring demands a deliberate effort to carve out genuine moments of connection amid the clamor of contemporary existence. It calls for a commitment to empathy and a willingness to extend ourselves beyond the confines of comfort. In a society often fixated on individual accomplishments, caring challenges us to recognize the collective significance of compassion and collaboration.

In the intricate ballet of caring, self-compassion assumes a pivotal role. To genuinely care for others, one must first extend that same kindness inward. This involves acknowledging our vulnerabilities, embracing imperfections, and fostering a relationship with ourselves rooted in love and acceptance. Only from this place of self-compassion can the wellspring of caring flow freely and abundantly.

In conclusion, caring is the ethereal melody that weaves the human experience into a grand symphony of shared existence. It is the rhythm of our connections, the guiding tempo through the labyrinth of life. As we navigate the intricate patterns of relationships and societal obligations, let us compose the symphony of caring with intention and grace, creating a masterpiece that celebrates the unique and harmonious beauty of our shared humanity.

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Caring: Harmonizing the Threads of Human Connection. (2024, Mar 12). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/caring-harmonizing-the-threads-of-human-connection/

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• Relationships

How to Manage Conflict and Promote Harmony

The process of mattering and the mattering of the process..

Posted July 18, 2022 | Reviewed by Devon Frye

• Why Relationships Matter
• Take our Relationship Satisfaction Test
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• When dealing with conflict, paying attention to the process is as important as paying attention to the outcome.
• For conflict resolution to succeed, the parties must respect each other's dignity at all times.
• To prevent conflict and lessen its frequency, it's important to invest caring capital in the relationship.
• The key to managing conflict is to ensure that both parties feel valued and have an opportunity to add value to the relationship.

Co-authored by Isaac and Ora Prilleltensky

Intimate and distant, harmonious and conflictive, empathic and aggressive, constructive and destructive. Most relationships go through these polar moments from time to time. What can we do to nurture positive and manage negative experiences?

As we witness conflict in families, work, and society, we paused to reflect on how we, who have been together for over forty years, managed our own marital and occupational conflicts. Pretty quickly, we realized that the process of building the positive and managing the negative is absolutely crucial.

Preventing Conflict and Promoting Harmony

Conflict is inevitable, but there are things we can do to lessen its frequency and impact. The wide spectrum of actions we can take to prevent conflict fall into two main categories: making the other person feel valued and sharing with them how they add value. In short, we need to tell them that they matter.

There are many ways to make other people feel like they matter. These include:

• Commenting on their efforts to make family or work better
• Recognizing contributions to a project
• Expressing appreciation through non-verbal means, such as a hug, holding hands, or a pat on the back, depending on the closeness of the bond
• Listening non-judgmentally
• Showing interest in the person’s work, passions, struggles
• Spending time with them
• Expressing gratitude
• Celebrating their accomplishments
• Remembering their birthdays
• Giving specific feedback about how they enrich your life or the life of the community
• Noticing virtuous behavior
• Helping them achieve their goals
• Supporting their dreams
• Showing empathy when they struggle
• Balance your agenda with theirs
• Noticing what is unique and special about them

These are some of the many deliberate efforts we can take to make our spouses, children, colleagues, and neighbors feel valued and help them add value. We should never assume that “love conquers all” and therefore we don’t need to engage in these behaviors. You may think that saying “I love you” is enough, but it is not. Details matter. Be specific and do this often. Reflect, respond, repeat.

The more we cultivate the positive in our relationships, the higher the chances that conflict will be more infrequent and easier to handle. This is because the more we invest caring capital in the relationship, the more we can draw on it in times of distress. If the caring account is empty, there is nothing to buffer animosity.

Managing Conflict

Regardless of how much caring capital you have accumulated, there will be times when conflict will emerge. When that happens, many people commit predictable mistakes:

• They repeat why they are right, and the other person is wrong
• They point out many faults in the other party
• They put each other down
• They bring up dirt and unfinished business from the past
• They conduct character assassination
• They blame the other party for everything but the kitchen sink
• They withdraw and sulk
• They show contempt for the other person
• They stonewall

These strategies fail because they exacerbate the conflict. They add fuel to the fire. These failed attempts completely ignore the process. When tempers are flaring, the best thing to do is to lower the temperature. This may be accomplished by some of the following actions:

• Owning up: Upon reflection, you may wish to say that you are sorry that you were inattentive, insensitive, or offensive to the other person.
• Acknowledging pain: Even though you are in the middle of a heated argument, it helps to acknowledge that you and the other person are hurting right now, and that you are sorry that this is happening.

Expressing grievance in constructive ways: Repressing grievances is a recipe for future volcanic eruptions, but so is uninhibited anger . You may be very upset at the other person for engaging in repeated offensive or annoying behaviors. You may have a very valid complaint but canceling the other person and painting them as evil will only make a bad situation worse. It is best to “edit” your anger and try to express it in non-totalizing ways. Try to be specific and use “I statements.” Refrain from statements such as “you always X, and you never Y.” Instead, try saying: “When X happens, I feel Y, and I wish that Z.”

Acknowledging their dignity: We know it’s difficult to remember the positive attributes of the other person while you are in the middle of a fight, but doing so will show humanity and respect for the dignity of the other party.

The goal of these strategies is to keep the process of conflict resolution alive. To be able to listen to each other’s grievances, we have to be able to regulate our emotional responses and monitor our behavior while in conflict. Although this is a skill that is hard to acquire, it is worth rehearsing. Try to anticipate how you might react to an argument and imagine yourself pressing the “pause” button and lowering the volume. Reflect, rehearse, repeat.

Remember, a good process is a good outcome. This is not an oxymoron. A good process upholds the dignity of both parties in the conflict, and that is a great outcome. Once our dignity is restored, we are better able to engage in constructive action. We should always make others feel valued and help them add value, even in the midst of conflicts.

Of course, there are conflicts that are warranted. When fundamental values are violated, or when one party consciously diminishes the other, there is room for confrontation. But often people confuse their allies for their enemies and engage in battle when conflict resolution is called for. This is a grave error, for instead of forging coalitions with potential partners, the misguided party engages in ruinous and divisive demeanor. To them, we say: Reflect, recalculate, repeat.

Learn more in How People Matter: Why It Affects Health, Happiness, Love, Work, and Society (Cambridge University Press, 2021).

Dr. Isaac Prilleltensky, Ph.D. , is the inaugural holder of the Erwin and Barbara Mautner Chair in Community Well-Being at the University of Miami. He has published 12 books, including How People Matter: Why it Affects Health, Happiness, Love, Work, and Society , co-authored with his wife, Dr. Ora Prilleltensky.

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How to Live in Harmony with Others

Last Updated: October 11, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Trudi Griffin, LPC, MS . Trudi Griffin is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wisconsin specializing in Addictions and Mental Health. She provides therapy to people who struggle with addictions, mental health, and trauma in community health settings and private practice. She received her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marquette University in 2011. There are 18 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 420,164 times.

Living with harmony with others is easier said than done, especially in a world filled with conflict, catastrophes, and differing opinions. You may struggle to feel in sync with people close to you and with society at large. Start by connecting with friends, family, partners, and neighbors. Focus on dealing with any disharmony in your life in a generous, compassionate way and giving back to people in your community. Make sure you also maintain your own personal sense of harmony, as this will help you feel in sync with others.

Connecting with Others

• You can also invite your neighbors over for dinner or a drink to connect with them.
• Offer to help your neighbors. If, for example, you have an elderly neighbor, offer to help them with yard work or a chore like cleaning out the gutters.

• For example, you may schedule a coffee date once a week with a friend. You may also have monthly game nights with a group of friends.
• Create traditions with your friends. Try things like getting together on the anniversaries of special events or taking an annual trip together.

Everyone needs real, human connection. "Connection is why we're here. We are hardwired to connect with others, it's what gives purpose and meaning to our lives."

• Even if you aren’t super close to your family, you can still try to connect to them once in a while. You may find that the more time you spend with your family, the more harmonious around each other you will become.
• Embrace your family's traditions, and try to create new ones. Sharing life event and remembering shared moments helps create a sense of belonging.

• For example, if you’re having a rough day, you may tell your friends, “Today was a bad day. I need some cheering up” or “I’m not feeling great today, I need some support.”

• You can do this by telling your partner regularly, “Thank you for all that you do” or “I appreciate you.”

Overcoming Differences and Disagreements

• If you are very upset, you can try stepping away from the situation and returning when you are calm and more relaxed.
• Acknowledge the other person's anger and offer to talk about the situation a little later. Allow both of you to cool off a little so that you can have a more productive discussion that isn't dominated by emotion.

• For example, if you get in an argument with a friend, think about how they might feel in the situation. Try to empathize with their point of view and respond to them with compassion, rather than anger.
• Remember that different events have different meanings to different people. Try to understand where they are coming from by saying, "Help me understand how you see this situation."

• Avoid interrupting them when they are talking. Instead, wait for them to finish speaking. Then try repeating what they said back to them so they know you heard them correctly.
• For example, you may say, "What I think you said is..." or "What I am hearing you say is...".

• For example, you may find a compromise with your partner where you split the household responsibilities, rather than argue about them. Or you may reach a compromise with a coworker where you work together on a project, rather than fight over the project or compete against each other.
• Compromise means that both parties give up a little bit to facilitate getting part of what each party wants. Be prepared to give up a little so that you can both be happy.

• Just because you do not agree with someone or see eye to eye does not mean you cannot still have compassion and empathy for them. You can still connect with people you do not agree with and find a sense of harmony with them.

Giving Back to Others

• For example, you may go see a family member who is feeling ill or unwell. Bring food for them if they are too sick to cook.
• You can help your neighbor by trying things like shoveling snow for them or taking care of their pet while they are away on vacation.
• You can also spend time with a friend dealing with a recent break up. Cheer them up by inviting them out or by taking them on a special friend date.

• Volunteering is also a great way to meet like minded people and make new friends or acquaintances. This can broaden your social network and make you feel less alone in the world.

• You may try donating money to a worthy cause once a year or once a month, based on your income.

• You can also mentor others by being a volunteer tutor at an after school program.
• Some alumni associations at colleges and universities have mentorship programs for students to connect with professionals in their field of interest.

• For example, you may shop at your local farmer’s market and get to know the vendors who sell their goods there.

Maintaining Your Own Sense of Harmony

• Doing things you like to do can make you feel more at peace. You will then give off a positive vibe that others around you will pick up on.

• Deep breathing and yoga are also great for centering your mind and feeling more at peace with yourself and your surroundings.

• If you have a busy, chaotic schedule, try setting aside 30 minutes to one hour a day where you focus on self-care. Schedule it in so you cannot skip it or forget about it.

• For example, you may say, “I am at peace with the world” or “I feel harmonious and happy today.”
• Try to live according to your values. When your lifestyle aligns with your personal values and beliefs, you feel more at ease overall.

How Do I Connect With Others?

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• ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/relationships/social-connection/making-good-friends
• ↑ https://www.kidscape.org.uk/advice/advice-for-young-people/how-to-make-new-friends/
• ↑ https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2015/08/06/chapter-2-how-teens-hang-out-and-stay-in-touch-with-their-closest-friends/
• ↑ https://highlandspringsclinic.org/the-top-ten-benefits-of-spending-time-with-family/
• ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/improving-family-relationships-with-emotional-intelligence.htm
• ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=1&contentid=4580
• ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/conflict-resolution-skills.htm
• ↑ https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_turn_brain_anger_compassion
• ↑ https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/wellbeing/how-to-talk-about-health-problems/active-listening
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evolution-the-self/201510/compromise-made-simple-7-handy-tips-couples
• ↑ https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/friendship-and-mental-health
• ↑ https://www.mhanational.org/help-others
• ↑ https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/benefits-of-volunteering
• ↑ https://www.cafonline.org/personal-giving/resources/five-reasons-to-give-to-charity
• ↑ https://ced.msu.edu/upload/reports/why%20buy%20local.pdf
• ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/relaxation-techniques-breath-control-helps-quell-errant-stress-response
• ↑ https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2022/03/how-and-why-to-practice-self-care/
• ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/do-positive-affirmations-work/

About This Article

To live in harmony with others, be an active listener by facing the person and paying attention to what they're saying, even if you don't agree with them. Additionally, repeat back what they’ve said, using words like, “What I’m hearing you say is… “ to check that you heard them correctly. If differences or disagreements arise, try to avoid getting aggressive or upset. Instead, counter anger with patience and compassion by thinking about how the other person feels or asking them to help you understand their position. To learn how to maintain your own sense of harmony, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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5 key aspects of harmonious relationships

• BY Shadya Karawi-Name

Relationships are our biggest mirror. Through them, we get to fully and deeply understand aspects of ourselves that it wouldn’t be possible to see otherwise.

As humans, we are social beings. We are immersed in constant interactions with other individuals that are, just like us, going through this human experience in the best way that they possibly can.

In the actual times, we have come to believe that we have to be strong and independent enough to do it all by ourselves. We have gotten to believe that with the ever- present technology we have to rely solely on ourselves and be so self-sufficient that we can easily go without any kind of physical contact through days.

The reality is that as a specie, we really do need each other to survive. It is simply impossible to have our evolution go forward if we don’t establish relationships with one another.

Since we are young children we have learnt how to relate to others. Depending on the dynamics that we had with mom, dad or our main caregiver, we develop an attachment style that will greatly mark the way by which we connect with the people that we build relationships with.

If we are not truly aware of what we’ve been dragging on as children, we will spend our lifetime repeating the same patterns, in a desperate attempt to recreate the initiale bond that we shared with our parents.

Relationships aren’t always easy. In fact, many of them are painful. They bring out the worst of us. They make us connect with our deepest shadow. They move our old wounds and, without notice, they activate all of our alarms, fears and doubts.

All of this hardship makes that we choose to close our bodies and our souls in order not to establish relationships with others. We do it without actually realizing that we are building a huge armor that will not only keep pain away but, inevitably, love too.

The great Rumi once very wisely said: your task is not to find love, but to find all the walls that you have built against it”. And, precisely with those beautiful and intense words, I invite you to make an inventory of all of the relationships in your life, starting by the one that you have with yourself.

The most important relationship

Without hesitation, the most important relationship of our lives is the one that we have with ourselves. The way in which we treat and speak to ourselves, generates in equal perfect proportion the way in which the outer world interacts with us. It is as simple as that: what we give, we receive.

Many of us believe that we are a construction of what society demands, of the limiting beliefs that we’ve been carrying for years, of all of the should bes. This leads us to an empty place, where we don’t even know who we truly are.

The first step is to peel layers to leave ourselves naked to be able to connect with our true essence, that purity that is our divine right and that we so freely and easily expressed as children.

What can you do to love yourself more? How can you incorporate daily self-care practices into your life? How would you treat yourself if you were your best friend?

Letting go and making space

By making a profound analysis of who we are, how we show up to the world and what is it that we hide, change and transformation is fostered and with it the relationships in our life start to change too.

Maybe we don’t have that much in common with those friends from school. Maybe it doesn’t bring me any more joy to share lunch with my colleague. My partner and I could be seeing life differently. The relationship with my dad might be toxic. And, just like that, life forces us, in a way, to put a magnifying glass over our relational spectrum.

Even though this might be scary, it is, in reality, such a blessing It shows that we have changed. That the caterpillar is now a butterfly. That now that we are connected with our true value we give ourselves the permission to choose who we really want in our life. We establish healthy boundaries. We learn to say no. And, above all, we remember that we have a limited resource of time and energy and that gives us the great power of choosing who do we want to share it with.

It is normal that, initially, when we have embarked in our self-development process, our day to day relationships change. This can cause profound pain and in many cases it can be experienced as grief, so it is important to honor it and give ourselves the space necessary to mourn. After that, I am convinced that when we allow ourselves to let go of all those things that no longer fulfill a purpose of love in our lives, we are opening a wonderful space so that new people enter to learn us new lessons.

Harmonious relationships

Harmonious relationships are such a gift. Those relationships where we can have different views, but we can talk it all through, where each person has their own life and takes full responsibility of his own wellbeing, where we can grow together, support and accompany each other.

This is why, today, I want to share with you the 5 key aspects that help us identify which are the harmonious relationships in our life:

1.Balance between giving and receiving

When we give more, relationships end and the same happens when we overgive. Harmonious relationships are a constant flow of what we give and what we receive. It is being able to know until where I can go and what the other person can do. It is identifying how we complement each other. It is remembering what the other needs to feel loved and how I can express it.

We have a general peaceful feeling that brings tranquility into our life. This doesn’t mean that there are no differences or conflicts. On the contrary. It gives us the possibility to freely express how we feel, by being in a secure space. It is verifying that in a harmonious relationship emotions are dealt with, and that tolerance and respect are key ingredients.

3.I can be myself

I can express myself fully. I communicate all of my needs. I am vulnerable. I don’t hide behind masks and I show all parts of me. Being truly authentic is what allows a profound and real connection to be built, in total acceptance of who we are.

4. Aligned values

We identify what are the main values for us. We have a similar vision on the important things. We are in total sync on what are our priorities.

5. An active energy exchange

I am interested in seeing the relationship flourish. I remember that it is a lie entity that needs care. I am aware of the other person’s needs and I can express my own. When I am with that person I feel that I am expanded, energized, more connected. interés en que la relación funcione. Recuerdo que es un ente vivo que necesita ser cuidado.

Remember that there are no better or worse relationships. All of them are here to teach us something. All of them are showing us sides of ourselves. Be grateful for all the relationships that you have had and for the ones that you will have. All have been in your life to show you all of your light and all of your shadow. All of them have been important. All of them have been necessary. From now on you have the power to choose in what way do you want to establish relationships.

Home — Essay Samples — Sociology — Friendship — The Importance of Friendship: Ways to Nurture and Strengthen Relationships

The Importance of Friendship: Ways to Nurture and Strengthen Relationships

• Categories: Friendship

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Words: 873 |

Published: Feb 7, 2024

Words: 873 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

Table of contents

Definition of friendship, discuss the importance of friendship in people's lives, mention different types of friends, characteristics of a good friend, benefits of friendship, challenges in maintaining a friendship, ways to nurture and strengthen friendships.

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