The Path of Relationship

Each month after completing and fine tuning Letters on Life I'm excited about sending it out. Within a few hours I start to wonder about the next letter and whether people will like it. Is it going to be good enough? Because of this concern I procrastinate and wait until the last minute to start writing the next letter. Underlying this version of the fear of rejection or the fear of failure is the question "am I good enough?" We all have that fear in some form or the other usually stemming from an incident in our youth. Let me share with you when it started for me.

I was away from home for the first time at UC Berkeley. There is always someone you meet that you look up to who seems to have all the answers. Mike Breen was that guy for me. I had just turned 17 and at 19 Mike seemed to possess that wisdom and experience about girls that was missing in my life.

I remember the defining conversation like it was yesterday.. "Mike what do you do if you meet a girl and you really like her and maybe even love her?"?.And Mike coolly replied with that air of maturity and experience, "you tell her how you feel". I confusingly asked "What if she says she doesn't love you back?" That was one of my biggest fears and a few years later at the end of my junior year I felt that pain of rejection when my girl friend Bobbi told me she loved someone else. I made the decision that I would never feel that pain again so I avoided anyone who could hurt me like Bobbi did. By looking back and examining some of my old patterns I understand what I did to avoid the possibility of experiencing this pain again.

One thing I did was to select partners who I knew did not fit my picture of the person I wanted to be with. By finding enough faults with them I could keep them at a distance and eventually move on to avoid getting hurt. Another approach was to select a partner who was emotionally unavailable. They were hopelessly self centered, in other relationships or real afraid of intimacy because of the same wounds that I had experienced. If I was really honest with myself it was obvious from the very beginning.

Even though I felt that I wanted a life long partner, this pattern of avoidance lasted for many years. During this phase of my life I had engaged many teachers and mentors and participated in many personal growth workshops and always on some level my focus was on overcoming my barriers to having a great relationship. Sometimes there's a saying or a poem that sticks with you and makes the biggest difference in your life. For me it was the following quote by Anais Nin that inspired me in my quest.

"And the day came when the risk to remain closed in a bud became more painful than the risk to blossom."

Have your ever thought about the connection between trust and risk. To have a great relationship you must take a risk?You must be vulnerable. As you are able to increase your capacity to risk you also increase your capacity to trust. As my attitudes and beliefs shifted I was able to embrace my fears, overcome my barriers and attract my soul mate. Annie believes in me and brings out the best in me. We have been on this journey together for over 21 years. I would like to share with you a few of my insights that have enabled me to embrace this path of relationship. In a subsequent article I will share with you some of my insights as to what is necessary to deepen this journey.

We all want to be with someone who we think is special. Regardless of how special they are if they are not interested in you the same way you are interested in them it will never work. Ask yourself if they love you in the way you want to be loved? If they are self absorbed and self centered they probably won't be capable of loving you in the way you want. I think most of us really know the truth in the beginning but we long so much for this special type of relationship that we overlook the obvious.

Sometimes we start to think that perhaps there's something wrong with us so we give up on what we really want. We change our values and choose a partner that on some level we know isn't the right one. We usually have a mental image or concept of the kind of person we want to be with. If your partner does not fit that image your emotions and heart will be in conflict with your mind.

We all have dreams and goals. Honor them by asking yourself if you and your partner share the same dream. If you have different dreams and a different vision it's going to be difficult for the relationship to reach its fullest potential. Pay attention to the clues. If you desire a long term relationship and pick a partner who hasn't had a relationship greater than six months, the likelihood is that this new relationship won't last much longer.

I know there are many books written on relationships. These are just some of my thoughts?I realize that a lot more can be said and in the next letter I will focus on things you can do to enhance the quality of your relationship and to deepen your connection. I hope my experiences and insights inspire possibility in your life Feel free to pass this letter on to those in your circle.

About The Author

Mark Susnow is a coach and speaker who has a unique background. A former trial attorney of 30 years he combines his leadership capabilities with the wisdom gained from many years of meditation and yoga. His articles reflect this journey.

---

Destroyers of Relationships

Communication and listening is very important in any relationship. For... Read More

Living in Fear!

As we are aware, our relationships are that bigger part... Read More

Improve Your Relationships Through Vastu

Do you want be in a relationship that brings you... Read More

Relationship Spring Cleaning by Susan Sheppard

History doesn't belong in a relationship that is presentMy friend,... Read More

What Is A Boundary In A Relationship?

You might ask yourself, I have heard this word boundary,... Read More

Relationship Problems Have Warning Signs

Families are made up of individuals; men, women, and children.... Read More

Clues to Help You Bust the Undercover Married Man, Before You Fall in Love

If your Knight in shining armor still hasn't come galloping,... Read More

Love Advice: Let Fate Decide?

One of the most commonly asked questions, What is Love?... Read More

The Spiritual Connection of True Romance

In the springtime, with the flowers budding and the birds... Read More

Extreme Breakup Recovery: Maximum Healing / Minimum Time

If you are going through the emotional rollercoaster of a... Read More

Relationship Red Flags Do Appear Early On

So often in the bloom of a new romance we... Read More

Being A Friend Through A Divorce

We used to joke amongst the couples we are close... Read More

Maybe Not Bones, But Hearts...And Worse: The Destructive Power of Simple Speech

Out of the blue, slap bang in the middle of... Read More

Should I Leave This Relationship?

How do you know when it's time to say goodbye... Read More

What Does It Really Mean When You Pass or Fail A Relationship Quiz?

Q. It seems that no matter what magazine I am... Read More

Men Love Women Who Initiate Sex ? 4 Fun Ways to Do It

This is a sizzling hot topic for a lot of... Read More

5 Ways to Tell Your Man You Love Him

Telling your man that you love him is part of... Read More

Secrets Your Husband/Significant Other Dont Want You to Know

1. He Only Pretends Not to Listen.He heard what you... Read More

Spouse Improvement: Influence Your Partner to Change in Just 7 Steps

Everyone has something they'd like to change in their partner.... Read More

For Better Or Worse

For Better or WorseI was in the middle of a... Read More

Engaged, In Love, and In Limbo

Well, here I am very much in love and starting... Read More

My Life

My sister is 45 and having an affair with an... Read More

If You Cannot Make Friends, Make Foes

There are few desires (if any) stronger than the deep... Read More

The Fine Art of Flirting

Did you know that it is not necessarily your looks... Read More

The Secret Power of Romance and How It Can Work for You

There are some men who will never understand the importance... Read More

The Revenge Affair: Characteristics of the Adulterer

"I Want to Get Back at Him/Her" is one of... Read More

Breaking Your Relationship Pattern, Part 2

The first step toward being able to attract and create... Read More

Getting More From Dating, Romantic Relationships, and Marriage

Romantic relationships happen because of the hopes and dreams a... Read More

Your Beloved Soldier Is Coming Home ? Now What?

Your Beloved Soldier Is Coming Home ? Now What?Laura anxiously... Read More

Great Relationship Advice: The Ability to Create a Vision for Your Relationship

Many of us stumble into marriage and then continue to... Read More

Spice Up Your Relationship Tonight

Every relationship needs relief from the same old bedroom routine... Read More

10 Fast Ways to Re-ignite the Flames of Love

Enhance Romance today.When Men and Women enter into a relationship,... Read More

You Have to Probe Deeper: Why First Impressions Are Dangerous

Do you remember when, as a small child at a... Read More