The success of a relationship depends on mutual respect, understanding and co-ordination. I don’t think there is any relationship that thrives without some level of sacrifice from both the ends.
No two people are hundred percent alike. They have different priorities and sources of joys. For creating harmony and stronger bond, at times it becomes necessary for either of the partners to give up on their choice or to do certain things that they would not otherwise do. However, this kind of sacrifice brings happiness, peace and growth only when it is made out of love and care, and not with the sense of compulsion.
Another important factor that helps flourishing a relationship is the expression of gratitude and appreciation for the partner. Both, actions and words, are crucial for the expression. A genuine smile in response to a favour, a warm hearted thank you note, a small surprise gift, a little public or private praise of the partner’s achievements or attitudes may do wonders in nurturing the relationship.
The expression of gratitude also involves refraining from actions or words that belittle the partner, especially in public. In private settings discussions about each other’s weaknesses should stem from genuine concerns and desire for improvement, rather than making the other feel belittled.
Tolerance, patience and forgiveness are also of crucial importance in order to build stronger interpersonal relationships.
Tolerance and patience provide the ground for understanding and respect of differences. Facilitating better emotional regulation, these traits help reducing the conflicts and interpersonal strains. Forgiveness, by diminishing negative emotions, helps the partners move forward with positive feelings and intentions.
In my opinion the strength of a relationship can be assessed by how easily the partners may communicate with each other. A communication without the fear of being judged or rejected is a sign of compassionate and caring relationship. Nevertheless, open communication doesn’t at all means to be disrespectful. Instead, it means to be able to display one’s opinion and concerns candidly.
When it comes to marital relationships, one of the most important determining factor of success and happiness is sexual compatibility. If partners fail to understand and fulfil each other’s sexual needs and physical desires the health of the relationship is compromised.
Sexual compatibility is a multifaceted area involving various factors such as sex drive, time and frequency, preferences of physical activities, verbal expression etc.
I have witnessed couples that are doing well socially but the failure of their partners to fulfil their sexual desires lead them to infidelity.
I believe that if partners are genuinely committed to each other they can figure out a way to overcome their differences and thrive in the area of sexual relationship through understanding and compassion. Open and honest communication is of immense help in this regard.
The mentioned traits for thriving relationship demand emotional and psychological maturity. When we talk about maturity something that immediately comes to our mind is age. However, I don’t think that age is an indicator of maturity.
I have seen pretty mature individuals in their teen years and quite immature people in their forties. There are individuals who have got priorities and preferences as that of a middle aged persons in their twenties. On the other hand, there are middle-aged individuals who find joy in behaving like young adults.
If age is just a number in terms of individuals, it is not an indicator of successful marital relationship. The success of a marital relationship depends on compassion, compatibility and understanding.
The lower age difference between the partners doesn’t guarantee the attainment of these needed traits. A higher age difference doesn’t necessarily impede the development of these traits.
Regardless of age what matters for the successful relationship is the couple’s willingness to put deliberate efforts to make the relationship thrive.
This post is my participation for Hl-featured contest week 125 edition 1.