Healthy relationships can be considered one of the pillars of your overall well-being. It is important to have different types of relationships (i.e. partner, friend, child or mentor). And it is also important to focus on the quality of those relationships, because even one negative one can do more harm than good. Being in a loving relationship, no matter what kind, can give a person a sense of well-being and purpose. Research has shown that people with strong social relationships might even live longer than those who do not. Even if you are the type that loves to be alone, having at least one good friend (even a coworker, therapist, or counselor) to help you walk through every day stressors can be beneficial to handling stress and living a healthy, meaningful life. Maintaining close personal relationships can get challenging, even with the people you love the most. But there are a few things that you can do to attend to them. Take time, be present, express appreciation, listen and communicate, apologize, and forgive. In a time where it seems many things are out of our control, burturing and growing our most treasured relationships is something that we definitely can.
– Kaylyn
YOUR LIFE
This month our oldest son Colin travels to Boston for college. Shannon is flying him back and will help him get settled into his dorm on campus. I had envisioned the entire family moving him in together, but with COVID restrictions, his Mom is definitely the right person to get him all the things he will need. With Colin studying from home in the fall, I made a conscious effort to spend more time with him, and grow our relationship. I am truly grateful for that extra time we had together, as I know I will miss him dearly. I am excited for the new experiences and relationships he will develop away from home. Personally, my relationship with Shannon started in college, and it is one of the most important relationships in shaping all aspects of what is important to me today. With this knowledge of how difficult this will be, I look forward to more one on one time with my daughter, before we have to experience this again. – Jason
YOUR LEGACY
There are few greater moments in life, than the first time you hold your child. Anyone that has had a child will tell you that it’s the first time you truly experience unconditional love. That is love which is affection without limitations. I always thought I understood that, but I had no idea how much my heart would expand when my baby was born. In all honesty leading up to it, I had this fear that I wouldn’t be attached enough to my child, since my own relationship with my mother is so very frayed. I was completely wrong. Since February is associated with love, I thought I would share what it’s meant to me, meeting my greatest love. The feeling when you see your baby look up at you, or when they smile for the first time. Those first signs of a laugh. When they fall so peacefully asleep on you. They are moments you want to stop time with, to marinate in forever. That’s been the hardest part for me. I cried the first night he slept mostly through the night, as it meant less time I would see those big blue eyes (so much for detachment). It sounds crazy, but I remind myself that there will be moments where he will make me proud, and how special will that be. I’ve had a glimpse into that. He rolled a couple of weeks ago, and the pride and smile on his face were so genuine, that I thought to myself this is it. This is what I will live for, forever. I’ll live to watch you grow. And now I get what so many people told me about. You did it to me, bud. You showed me unconditional love, and I’d like to think that because of it, I am so much better. Because who doesn’t turn out better when their heart expands? – Jessica