d@n: Ingredients in Healthy Relationships
Thursday, June 23, 2005

Ingredients in Healthy Relationships

I was reading one of the columns in TODAY newspaper and came across this column which i found very interesting... whether you're single or in a relationship, good to check this out...

If you're trying to determind if the person you're dating is the right one for you, you might be interested in the 10 characteristics of a healthy relationship.

1) You are each other's best friend, and you genuinely like being together. A recent survey of over 300 successful, long term marriages indicates that for both women and men, this matter of friendship is considered the most important ingredient of all.

2) Communication is easy, natural and free. You feel that you can tell each other anything without fear of judgement or being put down.

3) You have numerous values and ideals in common and have both demonstrated the depth of your commitment to them.

4) You both - and its important to emphasise both - think of marriage as a lifetime commitment, and you're firmly devoted to a permanent relationship.

5) When you experience conflict and disagreement, you're able to work it out instead of leaving it to simmer beneath the surface.

6) You love to laugh together. You're entertained by each other and share a sense of humour about the things in life.

7) You feel thoroughly known by your partner, and deeply cared for. You're able to be yourself and still know that you are loved, faults and all.

8) Your family and friends seem to be genuinely supportive of the two of you as a couple. You have confirmation of those who know you best and whom you trust the most.

9) You feel romantic about each other much of the time, but you feel comfortable and content with each other almost all the time.

10) You have a relationship that feels sane and safe and stable. You sense that there's a solid fit between both of you at many levels.

If all these characteristics are present in the dating relationship, the chances for a healthy, happy marriage are great.


9:54 AM