The 5 Most Important Things In A Relationship

Like so many people, F. had suffered an emotionally deprived childhood. She tried to make sense of that world more or less unsupported.

When I asked her what, for her, were the 5 most important qualities in a relationship, she looked at me like I was an idiot.The first thing she named was the one whose lack she had felt most keenly in childhood: communication. Because she hadn't had it she assumed that it would be the panacea for all evils: that talking would be enough to ensure that two people share the same beliefs, attitudes and values. If only.Then came monogamy.

's partner had put her through.I pointed out to her that she was still one thing short. She was struggling now. Eventually she came up with 'love'. When I asked her what 'love' meant to her, she talked about faithfulness, commitment and communication.

Now, I'm not knocking any of these values. They all have their place and I wouldn't want to be in a relationship without them. But the point is: were they enough to sustain and nurture her? When I asked her that question she was visibly thrown. She had thought of relationships in terms of what she gave, not what she received. The net result was that she received very little that was not damaging.It's a useful question.

Do those qualities that you deemed the most important in a relationship sustain and nurture you? Or have you chosen them reactively, in an attempt not to experience old hurts again?.How would you like to be treated in a relationship?.What kind of treatment do you need to feel:.· Loved
· Respected
· Cherished
· Safe
· Equal
· Happy
· Confident
· Valuable
· Honoured.The list could go on and on.

Maybe you would go for different things. Maybe you hadn't given it much thought. Maybe you don't find it easy.

It might take you a while, and a good few pieces of paper, to become clear about what really matters to you. Still, it's worth doing. Far better to spend 5 or 10 minutes, now and then, writing what you want down on paper now, than to end up in another damaging relationship.There is no reason on earth that you should not feel loved, respected, cherished, safe etc, provided you have freedom of choice.

It's your right. Establishing what matters most to you in a relationship, and being as clear as you possibly can, is the key to exercising that right.

.c) 2006 Annie Kaszina.Annie Kaszina Ph D, is a coach and writer who has helped hundreds of women to rebuild their confidence and their life after an abusive relationship. Annie is the author of "The Woman You Want To Be".

This ebook will teach you how you can love yourself first, so that you can create strong self-belief and build the fulfilling future you're looking for on firm foundations.To find out more and sign up to Annie's free bi-monthly ezine visit http://www.EmotionalAbuseRecoveryNow.com You can email Annie at: annie@EmotionalAbuseRecoveryNow.com.

Feel free to reprint this article on your website or in your ezine, just include the resource box.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Annie_Kaszina.

The Most Important Things In A Relationship