It's been a while since I last wrote about relationships because I want to focus on the productivity and personal growth niche. But I was inspired by a question yesterday about thriving relationships and how does it look like. On this blog, I want to continue answering the question. 

• If you want to read the first part of this blog series, here's the link: What a Thriving Relationship Looks Like

• If you want to read my relationship blogs, visit this link: Hearts and Halo

• If you are interested to read my productivity and personal growth blogs, visit the link: MartsValenzuela.com

As I've mentioned in my previous blog, the word thriving implies growth - not just growth but healthy and communicable growth. It is almost always evident, but even in areas that are not seen, it shows health. Same with thriving relationships. Here are some other things a thriving relationship has. 

Photo Credits: Unsplash.com

Discusses expectations to avoid misunderstanding

In a healthy relationship, expectations are discussed in a way that minimizes, if not totally, avoids misunderstanding. It is difficult to be trapped in a relationship full of charades and wild guesses as to how one wants to be treated. 

Imagine a couple wherein the woman expects her partner to give her tokens or gifts, albeit inexpensive, as a romantic gesture, especially during special occasions. She waits, she gives hints. But her partner doesn't get the point! Imagine the frustration on her part! Of course, the guy has a serious problem with being insensitive, but the girl has a share of the blame too for not discussing plainly that her love language is receiving gifts. 

For a relationship to work, expectations have to be managed well. No party has psychic abilities to make sense of all things, so we need to help each other by discussing things that can be discussed plainly. 

Healthy and effective communication 

Communication plays a huge part in a healthy relationship. Without communication, the relationship is inexistent. We need to communicate how we feel, how we view things, how we want to be treated and how we expect things to happen in the relationship. 

As the couple grows more connected to each other, communication develops. Non-verbal communication begins to take place. 

Disagreements happen when there's too much assumption. Also, failure to communicate feelings causes heartaches. Imagine a party brushing off the feeling of being neglected. Over time the feeling grows into animosity until it becomes hatred, and soon it will just blow up altogether. If only the feeling was communicated earlier, then it may be addressed sooner. 

Accept for and give forgiveness

No one is perfect. It is a no-brainer in every relationship. We are prone to make mistakes. But for a relationship to work, forgiveness is key. I love what George Herbert says about forgiveness: “He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass.” 

Pride must have no room in relationships. It requires mutual acceptance and understanding that in one way or another, the other person might cause me pain, but you will choose to love no matter what. "There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love" Bryant H. McGill says. It is an everyday decision. 

Final Thoughts

For a relationship to work, the couple must act as partners, not competitors. Both as givers and takers, not one as a ruler and one as a subject. A thriving relationship focuses on improving themselves for growth and sustenance. Their relationship, in turn, becomes a blessing as they give inspiration and joy to people around them. 

Promotion!

I would like to promote my ebooks that you can purchase with BCH! Other payment options are still in process. 

• Magplano Kahit Walang Planner

• Beyond Current Realities

• Get them both! Magplano Kahit Walang Planner + Beyond Current Realities

These ebooks are written in Taglish and proceeds will go directly to my wedding fund, yay! My ebooks are worth Php50.00 (~$1.00) but if you get both, you'll get them for just Php90.00 (less than $2.00). Thank you!

Hi, I am Marts! Aside from read.cash, I also run my blog - martsvalenzuela.com. I plan on growing my readership while learning to improve my craft and journey towards my passion to write and publish books that add value to people.

Carpe Diem!