Where does Respect in a Relationship Begin?

Respect for Yourself

It begins with a deep and abiding love of yourself and respect for you and all that you are…and for some people, this can be difficult…
It starts with self-care and actually knowing what you want in life. ..
It is a deep acknowledgement of the past that you might have had…and realizing that even if it was difficult…that you are here now…
It is about knowing your own boundaries and where to draw the line. If you don’t have a good system of boundaries to protect you, then you won’t know when someone is crossing that invisible line…and you do need to know…
It is being able to look into a mirror and feeling good and proud of the image that you see looking back at you…
It is recognizing that you have responsibility for your own life…
Respect for Your Partner
No name calling or ridiculing
Listening while they have their say…give them the space to do that…
Acknowledging and respecting the other’s personal boundaries
Letting go of criticism and belittling
When you have respect for your partner, there is an abiding love that is bigger than the romantic love that we see on the Hollywood screen. There is a deep caring for the wellbeing of the other, physically, emotionally and financially.

When you have respect, you want to see your partner succeed.

When you have respect, you have trust and that is a beautiful thing.

What Does Respect Look Like in a Relationship?
Making important decisions together
Financial fidelity
Emotional and physical fidelity
Keeping your word and promises to the relationship
Honoring your dreams and those of your partner
…and more…

Yes.

It all comes down to this…how do you feel when you are with the other person? Do you feel that you are respected? Do you feel that you respect your partner? Talk with your partner and see how they feel. If the answer is yes…wonderful! Keep doing what you are doing!

If the answer is no…then there is some work to do…isn’t there…because the bottom line is this…we all deserve to have respect…both for ourselves and for our partner…and most definitely for the relationship. Respect is like a fertile plot of land with deep, dark and rich soil…when you have it, love can flourish. If you don’t have respect, then your relationship is built on a rocky, thorny piece of ground with poor soil and it will have difficulty growing and blossoming…

“Drive your own life…you deserve to, don’t you?” Sherie Venner