Nurturing Relationships

Nurturing Relationships

Relationships are built on trust, love and communication. One cannot neglect a relationship and expect it to grow. Think about the many professional and personal relationships that you have in your life? How much effort do you put in them?

Some people come into our lives for a reason. Such relationships are very short and occur for very specific reasons. I remember my piano teacher Linda who taught me music when I was young. She was someone who inspired me to love music. We lost touch after I completed my music course.

Some people come into our lives for a season. I remember one of my university friend, who always felt insecure of herself. Yet she loves to feel good about herself at the expense of others. Hanging around her drains one of positive energy. Such friend reminds one not to bother about such friendship and teaches me to be more mindful of the friends that I mix with.

Some people come into our lives for a lifetime. The kind of relationship is ongoing and permanent. These are few and very special. My closest friends are those from my secondary school days. They are always there for you. It is the bond that keeps us through the good and bad times in our lives. It also takes two people to continue a relationship. I remember my good friend from JC who gave his word that he will always be there for me. Though we only communicate occasionally, he stood by me during the death of my grandfather and many other instances when I was down. If you ever find a friend who will be there for you to share your happy moments and to support you when you are down, cherish him/her, it is hard to find someone who will bother to take time to cherish and nurture a relationship.

Here are some of the ways to cultivate relationships:

1) Commitment
A key to all deep relationships. Every long-lasting relationship has its strains and setback and indeed no two people can agree on everything. There is a comprise in every situation. How committed are you in preserving the relationship or do you escape from reality when you encounter conflicts? Do you stand by the people that you care the most or do you walk away from them?

2) Communication
Over the years, I realize how important communication is in relationships. My friendship with a particular friend strengthened over the past 2 years. When we first knew each other, there were lots of miscommunication and we ended up not talking much to each other. Gradually we communicated and kept each other in prayers. It is how we articulate our thoughts into words and being mindful of each other feelings. We take the effort to communicate and to be frank with each other.

3) Friendship
In every relationship, we start of as friends. Sometimes we take for granted the people closest to us and as a result we neglect to try being good friends to then first. Always tell the people that mean the most to you that you will always be there for them.



4) Memories
When we look back, we remember the memories of our friendship/relationships. Memories are made up of shared experiences, such as close friends cheering me on when I am down, giving me suprises, fellowship and praying for one another.

5) Growth
As years go by, we also grow with maturity. Each of us are blessed with different talents, yet as we come together to serve the lord as one body, we complement each other. Sometimes due to the hectic lifestyle, I tend to be rushing through things, but it is my close friends who has taught me to take time to unwind and enjoy the simple things in life. We grow by supporting one another in our dreams and our daily issues.

6) Spoiling Each Other
I am a firm believer that you have to nourish any relationships. I try to surprise my close friends like drawing cartoons, penning poems or even planting a bar of chocolate or sweets when I catch up with them. The friends we develop with others enrich the quality of our lives.