Is Your Relationship in Shipshape?
IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP IN SHIPSHAPE?
By B. E. Thompson, M. A., LMFT
Relationships are in many ways like real seagoing ships. Just like a sailing vessel needs regular, constant care and upkeep, your relationships need regular care and upkeep. The crew of a sailing ship is knowledgeable in the standard practices of seamanship, which is absolutely required to maintain a ship's seaworthiness. Unfortunately, most people are not knowledgeable in the standard practices of maintaining their relation-ships.
Most people in relationships of any kind are usually focused on their individual goals, needs, wants, and desires while in a relationship with very little “relating” going on. There is very little attention paid to the relation-ship itself.
Oftentimes, somewhere along the voyage of life, the relation-ship is unable to withstand the inevitable and predictable storms of life that can damage both the individuals in the relationship and the relation-ship itself. Maintaining a strong, stable, satisfying relation-ship requires knowledge and skill - neither of which is commonly taught in our culture, families, let alone the schools.
Enlightened relationships are distinguished both by the shared vision that guides the relationship – where you both are looking in the same directing- as oppose to looking in each other’s eyes, this is called “romance”; and it certainly has it value as does “hot,” healthy sex that’s keeps the engine humming along.
Enlightened relationships are created, maintained, and evolves through specific standard practices like engaged listening, soul exploration, daily couple rituals, and shared involvements.
Unfortunately, these practices are uncommon in a popular culture gripped by ego, fear and lack of shared knowledge. But, through the commitment to learn and use these practices, the individuals and the relationship are elevated to new heights that uplift and evolve the soul, propelling your life forward in meaningful, adventurous, and satisfying ways as you travel this journey together called “life.”
“Don’t abandon the ship you and your partner built,
refit it!”
If you need to shore-up your Relation-SHIP skills, join our upcoming online workshop: Top Ten Practices of Enlightened Relationships to help you in building and maintaining a strong, durable and soulful relationship. To get NOTICE of the next scheduled class, email me at: e_mail.