|
In the first ever cell phone survey, young people (ages 16-22 years) were asked, "What is the biggest challenge facing your generation?"
The number one answer they gave was the breakdown of the traditional family. Their concern can be reduced to one word: relationships. Life is all about relationships.
As you seek to enhance your relationships, consider these ideas for changing your expectations and your approach with your loved ones. No matter how hard we try, we can't change the difficult individuals in our lives. However, we can change our expectations of them. We can also adjust our approach to them.
Personalize these suggestions and make them practical for your situation.
Understanding Your Loved Ones
Your fun loving, out-going girl:
Realize she needs lots of people around
Recognize she thrives on new, creative activities
Understand that she will seek affection and attention, regardless of the consequences
Laugh with her and enjoy life together
Your serious, deep thinking girl:
Appreciate her ability to analyze everything
Understand she flees noisy, chaotic situations
Provide her a place of her own
Recognize her need for order and neatness
Accept her desire to not discuss her feelings
Your natural born leader:
Realize she doesn't need 'babying'
Provide something she can control
Recognize she thrives on projects, not relationships
Appreciate her ability to organize and accomplish her goals
Help her learn tact and diplomacy
Your calm, quiet peacemaker:
Spell out details on her responsibilities
Allow her time to rest and relax
Realize that she flees conflict and stress
Help her find an area of interest where she can excel
Understand she shows happiness in a reserved manner
What changes are you willing to make to enhance your relationships? How can you adjust your approach to create connections that count? What expectations of others will you change?
Remember, we can't change others. However, we can change our approach and our expectations. Relationships are improved when only one person in a difficult relationship is willing to adjust and change.
|
