I had just about given up blogging, not that I claim to be good at it I merely like writing what I feel. A good friend of mine asked when my next one was coming and said he missed reading my stuff, what a nice compliment! So with renewed vigor I am back with another "Russ's Ramblins".
Relationships, what a beautiful yet complex word! I am not going to break down the variety of them, I would rather try to give you my point of view on them. First of all giving is FAR more important than receiving in any relationship whether it be marriage, friendship or family. I learned this lesson the hard way because I failed miserably on my part of the bargain, giving.
How easy it is to take things for granted, to assume there is nothing further you can add to a relationship. If things are going fine everything is fine right? Absolutely not! Never take your relationship for granted, it's the most precious gift you have, cherish it, nurture it and never ever stop
giving your heart and soul to it. Once it is damaged you might not ever be able to repair it, once it is lost like dust in the wind it will vanish forever.
Take a look in the mirror, think about all the relationships in your life. Are you doing your part to keep it alive and flourishing? Simple things are sometimes all that are needed, a look, a smile, maybe a word of encouragement or a simple touch or hug.
Of course the more important the relationship, the more work and giving is needed. Communication is key to know what is needed or not being provided to someone in your relationship. Remember the old word assume.... and remember what it stands for!
Sadly, throughout my lifetime I have lost some relationships that I was sure would last a lifetime. Oh sure some were high school crushes, others were friendships that I just didn't keep up with. Looking back (good old hindsight) it's easy to see that had I given more, reached out more, asked more questions, been more forgiving or supportive, some of these relationships could have survived.
So what's my point to this rambling? I guess to make you aware and me aware of how precious and valuable people in your life are. It's easy to watch someone else's relationship and offer advice to fix their's , as your own are suffering and need your attention. There is something I learned from the fire service that I was grateful and proud to have served in for many years, I will try to make the analogy fit here. We were taught that life safety is the # 1 priority. Your life and your fellow firefighters lives were top priority, meaning if your hurt or killed you cannot provide life safety for anyone else involved and you are merely adding to the problem instead of solving it. In a relationship life safety is making sure your providing and giving your 100% to keep it healthy and alive and growing. If you don't then your adding to the problems in your relationship.
I live, I learn... and I hope you do as well.
Until next time, I'll be rambling along for now!
