The Relationship Guide: 5 Tips for a Balanced Life
The Guide to Balanced Relationships: Tips for Harmony
This article is inspired by a book I recently read, 'Life’s Amazing Secrets' by Gaur Gopal Das. I've already posted a few articles inspired by this book, and the book itself and my previous posts are linked below.
1. Stay Calm
In a challenging situation where someone is angrily raising their voice, I choose to respond with calmness and a soft tone. This approach prevents escalation, much like stopping a spark from becoming a blaze, and is essential for maintaining effective communication. For instance, when dealing with my son, who has health issues that sometimes lead to agitated behavior, I practice this approach. Even when he pulls my hair, which can be painful, I remain composed and respond with understanding and kindness. This reaction is crucial, as it's his way of expressing affection, given his condition. I'm no anger management expert, but I've learned through experience that staying calm and using a soft tone is the most effective approach to prevent escalation.
2. Simplified Living
I've found that living with fewer possessions leads to a simpler and more peaceful life. By prioritizing quality over quantity and focusing on meaningful activities instead of material things, I've embraced a lifestyle that brings a sense of freedom and satisfaction. In my home, this philosophy is applied everywhere due to limited space; I keep only essential items, from the kitchen to shoe storage, wardrobe, and beyond. This not only makes cleaning and organizing easier but also declutters both my living space and my mind.
3. Kind Approach
I've come to appreciate the value of redirecting conversations towards positivity, especially when someone unknowingly makes negative comments about a group or place. This involves gently guiding them to think about the situation from a broader perspective, suggesting that we shouldn't generalize based on a single experience. For example, I once had a conversation where I expressed negative views about a particular community, not knowing that my friend's husband belonged to it. She skillfully explained that while some individuals might fit certain stereotypes, many others are different. This taught me to avoid quick judgments based on limited experiences and to be more open-minded in conversations.
4. Respectful Relations
When we're constantly surrounded by family and close friends, it's easy to assume they understand us without explanation. But this can lead to taking their support for granted and forgetting to express gratitude for their kindness. Sometimes, we become too comfortable and unintentionally lose politeness and respect. To keep our relationships healthy and strong, it's important to maintain kindness and respect.
For instance, I recently received some indoor plants from my friend, and they are thriving beautifully. However, I realized that I hadn't thanked her for the thoughtful gift. This made me recognize that expressing gratitude can strengthen our relationship. I hope I will thank her sometimes for the plants.
5. Mindful Maintenance
The way we treat everyday items can reflect how we treat people. Just as we should handle delicate things with care, we should be kind and attentive in our relationships. Neglecting our belongings can lead to neglecting our loved ones. For example, I used to be careless with my stuff, like tossing my phone on the bed. Sometimes, I noticed some of the products had broken due to my carelessness. But since I started taking care of my belongings, I realized that, unknowingly, I had begun to have a better relationship with my family. It might be due to taking care of small things.
To conclude, while I don't claim to be a great person, following these practices has notably improved my well-being and relationships. They've made me a better person and strengthened my bonds with others.
Your engagement till the end is truly appreciated. Until next time, stay well and keep learning.
