When it comes to interacting with other people – our friends and family, co-workers and those closest to us – it can be a catch-22 to spend time with them. On one hand, we need camaraderie and companionship. On the other, they can be toxic or damaging if we let them.
If you’re low on plenty of inner strength, then you may find each encounter to be something you dread, botch or feel worse after. Socialization with others should have this effect on you. It should lift you up.
Relationships with Family Members
Family relations are the first ones we remember growing up. We form patterns of back and forth behavior that are hard to reverse. But it’s not impossible. You might have a mother who nags you and strong arms you into doing what she wishes.
Instead of turning family relationships into a fight, which isn’t what you want, you have to tap into your inner strength and lovingly and firmly disagree. No matter how much of a fuss they put up, you should stand solid, listen to what they have to say, and make a decision that’s in your best interest. No one else is living your life, so why let them make decisions for it?
Relationships with Friends
Even though friends are optional (compared to family members), we still sometimes have to pull from the stores of our inner strength to deal with them. Friendships that are worth having will be tested.
There will be disagreements and obstacles that you have to navigate together. You have to decide right here and now that sometimes your decisions (which were made thoughtfully based on what you know to be best for yourself) won’t gel with what someone else wants – and that friendship could end.
If this happens, it’s okay to grieve the loss, but don’t second guess yourself and try to make yourself regret that you didn’t acquiesce to someone else’s demands and preferences.
Relationships that are Romantic in Nature
Whether you’re married or in a relationship, it can be hard meeting the needs of another person while trying to maintain a sense of identity for yourself. You have to compromise certain things, but there comes a point in time when you’ve compromised yourself instead of individual concepts.
Compromising yourself means that you’re the only one making sacrifices and changing things for the good of the relationship. You might start doing things because you’re trying to please the other person, but eventually it becomes something you do because you feel like you have to.
Tap into your inner strength and get yourself back on track. It doesn’t have to arise from an argument. You can lovingly explain what your needs are and how you’re going to meet them without coming off as abrasive. But if you need to showcase your strength, then go for it. Put it on display so that everyone (including you) knows that you’re living your best life.
Relationships with Your Children
Kids have an ability to fill our hearts and break them all at the same time. You might be dealing with some troubling times with your child right now, wishing you had extra stores of inner strength to draw upon.
At any time you can reset your relationship with your children. You can tone things down if you’ve been too hard on them or strengthen your power if you’ve been too lax. Kids respond best to honesty, and when you can sit down and talk to them about what you need and how things will change. It can make things better for all of you.
