A Good Relationship

There are at least SEVEN ingredients that help to make up a good relationship. The basics or foundations of any level of relationship are the same whether it be between family members or between friends. If this foundation is missing, then the relationship will have a shaky future.

Not all of these ingredients are essential, but a combination of 3 or 4 of the following will make for a very strong relationship.

1. Unselfishness.

Society today is geared towards the attitude what is in this for me. A good friendship is built when each person seeks the best for the other. This is an essential ingredient for a healthy and lasting relationship.

When you meet a new friend, a great question to ask them is: What are your goals in life? Then ask yourself: What can I do to help this person reach their goals? There will be an appropriate time them this same question also.

2. Positive Goals That Complement.

For the most part, when we are attracted to another person, it is because we have some things in common. When you meet a new person who has at least one positive goal which is either the same or complements yours, a great friendship can be formed as you plan and work together towards achieving your goals. This can work for just a simple friendship, or with a team.

Notice I mention positive goals. There are people whose mission in life is to avenge, and to destroy another person or persons. These people also often attract others with the same aims in life, but their goals are destructive and the relationship formed will also be destructive.

3. Mutual purpose

When you know what your purpose and passions in life are, you be attracted by others with similar passions. You will also attract the same kind of person.

One of the friendships that can last a lifetime is a relationship built on the sharing of life's passions. When you can built a friendship on this foundation you will have the support of a mutual sharing of challenges in life and the discovery and/or sharing of solutions.

The mutual support that results can make for a very strong friendship.

4. Mutual interests

Many friendships are formed when there is a sharing of interests. When you share certain interests with another person, there are many things you can enjoy together on a social level.

Your time spent together can be productive and fun. Some of the productive things can be hobbies such as building model trains, boats and cars, or cooking, handcrafts or a million other things. These are both productive as well as fun for the enthusiast.

Then there are things we enjoy that are just plain fun, such as going to the movies, a concert, listening to certain genres of music.

5. Mutual circle of friends or companions

It is always fun and healthy to do things in groups. Having a group of friends who gather to enjoy things like a barbeque, a trip to the park, river or a hike in the woods can be a very healthy activity.

It is always good to have such a group in our life, who will drag us away from more intense activities such as working on the computer and make us take a refreshing break.

6. Freedom

One of the biggest keys to a good relationship is the freedom to be honest with each other. There are times when we need to say no even to our closest friend when they may need us (or think they do).

It is important to establish boundaries with any friendship whether it be with a family member or a friend. This will ensure we have the freedom to be ourselves at all times.

7. Wholeness

What is wholeness you may ask? A brief definition would be when we have found the balance of being just as happy to be alone as we are to be with others then we have found a measure of wholeness in our lives.

If you have a person in your life you could not live without, then you have an obsession. However there is a difference between not being able to live without someone and not wanting to live without someone.

When we have found this balance, then our relationships with others will be constructive and healthy and will enhance both our life and the life of the other person.

May your life be filled with good relationships!