"Good Advice—Wrong Application"
from Love Is a Verb
by Glenn Van Ekeren
There is little doubt that most of us long for stronger, more creative and rewarding ways of loving each other. —Leo F. Buscaglia
Constant conflict caused an engaged couple to question their wedding plans. The man, concerned he would lose the woman he loved, realized he had no idea how to handle many unresolved issues. So, he sought the advice of a counselor who suggested the problems could be solved if he would take up biking. "I want you to ride ten miles a day for the next two weeks and then check back with me."
Two weeks later the man reported back to his counselor as requested. "So, how are you and your fiancée doing now?" the counselor inquired.
"How should I know," the man replied. "I'm one hundred forty miles away from home, and I haven't talked to her for fourteen days."
There will always be challenges and problems in relationships. No problem! Dr. Theodore Rubin advises in One to One: "The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem."
Abundant advice is available from assorted sources for anyone wishing to enrich their relationships. Unfortunately, none of that advice works unless you're willing to step up your investment in people.
If you remember the following, your relationships will never be the same.
- Creating and nourishing relationships is hard work.
- There will always be problems.
- Relationships are worth every ounce of effort it takes to work through the unavoidable challenges.
This is good advice, if I must say so myself. Apply it now.