Being a daughter, a sister and a friend is very challenging, but it could also be very fulfilling. 😏

It needs effort, patience and constant communication. Relationships doesn’t really flourish overnight or just over a one-time session of coffeeshop chitchat. My closest relationships are those that have been tested by hurts, discouragements and even times of silence and space, just so we can remember how important the relationship is. This causes us to re-evaluate- if we sincerely care for the other person. Relationships also get strengthened through bonding, happy times and TRAVELIIIING! Haha! All caps on that one, I believe relationships can really be tested while traveling; because not everyone can be early or organized or alert all the time-especially while travelling (haven’t done it yet? try it with your closest friends! 😆😆). In relationships, we have to be vulnerable, we should be ready to give out the love that we may never receive back from the other person. It’s our choice to care for someone, but that doesn’t always mean they would care for us as much in return. That is why there are stages in relationships, (I learned this while playing Sims haha!) acquaintance, friend, good friend, best friend. We can’t be best friends with everyone, lets make that one clear. We can try caring for everyone, but we can only have intimate relationships with a few. To the few whom we share our secrets to, (the deepest darkest ones 👻👻) our weaknesses, our favorites and even our most embarrassing moments. 🙊 The friends who would want to be vulnerable to us as we are to them, in return.

We all have different personalities, hobbies, and food choices- thus having different friends. Whether you are part of the Kikay’s, the Jocks, the Artsies, or the Nerds (or the a-little-bit-of-each group HAHA) every relationship is unique. But one thing all relationships have in common is, everyone gives up something to be in that relationship. Someone once told me, “You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving.”. 

“But really, its a choice between pulling away or reaching out.”

On the contrary, we can also decide to isolate ourselves from the world. We can just stay in our shell, thinking “This is me and you can’t change me.”. It’s up to you really, but I AM TELLING YOU, you are missing out on a LOT. Relationships can help us grow emotionally, spiritually and even physically (HAHA!). But really, its a choice between pulling away or reaching out. Always remember too though, a lot of friends doesn’t always mean its “happier” it’s the intimacy of the relationship that makes the mark. You can have lots and lots of “friends” but still feel alone. You ask why? Here’s a sad fact. It’s because we are wired to be self-centered beings. 😶😶😶

I think one of the most essential things we have to understand about relationships is that, its not about what we can get out of the relationship, its more about what we can give. Let’s think about how we can serve others rather than always expecting others to do this, and that- for us. We will all feel happier and more fulfilled if we focus on what we can do for others rather than what others can do for us. Always seek to understand rather than be understood. This will result in- us thinking less about ourselves and more about others. Let’s be more sensitive to what other people need rather than focusing only our own needs.

I have always struggled on nurturing relationships, so I thought I would start a blog that focuses on it. Nurturing relationships. We will be talking about life and relationships, love and the SOURCE of it all. The ups and downs, the AWESOMENESS of relating to others and how we can learn from our past mistakes. 😌

“By this we know Love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” -1 John 3:16

As the great Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”

Love should be the central part that drives every relationship. The kind of love that was shown by Jesus Christ on the cross. “By this we know Love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” -1 John 3:16. The kind of love that is unconditional, never self-seeking. A love that always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres. Know what real love is and see the changes that will happen on how we handle our relationships.

Know Love from the source of it all, Jesus Christ. ❤

Toodles!
Love,

Nenen