Relationships are essential to our existence as humans. Some people like to think of themselves as independent… and many of us are, at least to a point. But complete independence can also carry with it a negative side effect. It can cause us to lose sight of the value of relationships.

 

 

The truth is that positive relationships, whether they are with friends, with family, with coworkers, or with colleagues, are all important. They make our lives better, they make us better people, and they cause us to think more about others and less about ourselves. They help to keep us grounded and to realize that we are not alone in the world.

 

Building positive relationships definitely doesn’t happen all at once, and it definitely doesn’t happen by finding the perfect people to build them with. Some people spend a lot of time looking for the ‘perfect friend’ before realizing that, oftentimes, no such person really exists. The main problem with humans is that none of them are perfect… so holding out for the perfect friend could actually cause you to pass up other possible positive relationships in the process.

 

Building positive relationships starts with us. Before we can hope to be successful doing it, we have to become a positive person that someone else would want to spend time with.  Seek to add real value to other people’s lives, and don’t shy away from doing nice things for them. If they need help, don’t wait for them to ask you for it. Volunteer to pay them a visit. If your friend is sick, go to their house and fix them dinner. If your coworker is having a rough day, invite them out to lunch with you. If you have a family member who is having a difficult time, go out of your way to talk to them about it and to remind them that you are there for them.

 

Doing your part to generate positive relationships with others will benefit everyone involved… including you. In fact, you might find yourself reaping the greatest rewards of your new positive relationships… and that is a good thing! Selfless acts of kindness and a genuine interest in the well-being of others will never take you to a bad place. These are things that make us better as humans. They help to contribute to a better world, build stronger communities, and foster a sense of social dependence that is healthy to complex, sentient creatures like us.