Of course, we all know that life and partnerships are not all love and happiness. And yet, the promise of love and happiness is one of the reasons many of us are drawn to being with a partner. Later, faced with the inevitable challenges of life and our own personalities, we can end up wondering how to hold on to the fragrant bloom of romance that we hoped would endure.
In our own case, we felt irresistibly drawn to each other, against all odds and possibilities. We felt certain that the day when we could finally be together would seal our bliss. Then we lost a member of our family, our health and fortune, and for a while, our minds. In this dark place, we found a new possibility for being together—one that we had not imagined before.
What we learned is that love is not a passing fancy, a lucky break, or a whim of fate. Love is a choice that gets made and remade—or not—in every moment of every day. This presents one of the greatest challenges, and most satisfying joys, that life can bring. The closer you are to another person, the hotter this crucible burns.
Love, trust and resiliency are nurtured by maintaining consistent goodwill through the inevitable ups and downs. And yet, it is almost impossible to reliably sustain goodwill using will-power alone. Communication and emotional intelligence skills are required, as is self-awareness. Responsible self-awareness includes healing old wounds and reeducating self-defeating beliefs. This is similar to pursuing a career—learning, followed by steady application, yields rewards that multiply with time.
Those who chose this path certainly benefit themselves; they also richly reward their loved ones. What we offer may or may not be a fit for you. However, if you seek support for creating beautiful and satisfying relationships, it will be worth your time to check this out.