Heed, guard and gift

I started years ago helping people have healthy relationships, and it was good to a point, but something was missing. Over time I realized even with healthy skills, relationships weren’t always all they could be.

How could this be happening?

I came to understand relationships could and should be rewarding not just mechanical skills, so that’s what I began to focus on- creating rewarding relationships.

So what makes a rewarding relationship?

If you look up "reward" it comes from the Anglo-Norman “to take notice of” and from the Old French “a regarding, heeding, observation.” It has the same Latin root as the word "ward" which means "to watch or guard". So to have a rewarding relationship you need to be heedful and take notice of each other and the relationship. You also guard what is healthy, worthy, and respectful.

In the process of this loving regard you can create relationships that are satisfying and positive in both directions. You will walk the upward path rather than the downward spiral.

Wouldn't you like that?

Minding another definition of reward, "to gift", you see rewarding relationships are profitable to both involved. This means the relationship is energizing and not draining. When you are together, you more often than not ended up feeling good, better, and more comfortable.

It's nice to feel better or refueled in your relationship, isn't it?

Today's challenge: Take notice of yourself and your partner in the relationship. How can you better heed and lovingly guard your connection? How can you give and get energy? The act of paying attention is a start, then implement things that are gifts to both of you. You'll find the rewards are truly amazing.