There are many elements to a healthy relationship that continuously binds two people together. One is respect. Respect isn’t something that should be wavering, but given and received at all times.

Even an argument can be handled with respect. If someone calls you stupid or an idiot, they are belittling you. This doesn’t fit a “healthy” relationship.

If your partner doesn’t respect your friends and family, they don’t respect you. Your friends and family are part of you and in that regard, should be treated similarly.

In the area of intimacy, there should be respect. Your partner shouldn’t force you into anything you are uncomfortable with. They should take your needs and desires into account.

Listening to your partner, absorbing what they say and placing importance on their words and feelings is showing respect. Too often words fall upon deaf ears. In a healthy relationship, both partners take the time and more importantly…have the desire to listen because they want to know the other person more deeply.

Acknowledging and appreciating one another shows respect. Many arguments are started because one or both people feel unappreciated and unacknowledged. It takes very little time to show you care and recognize how wonderful your partner is. It also takes very little time to disintegrate a person’s spirit by not placing enough value on them through your actions.

Respect is only one element that binds two people together in a healthy relationship. But, without it, the relationship will corrode.

Kathy wrote this on April 28th, 2008 and filed it under Dating |