Range of Relationships

By: Jasmin Avagyan

We are brought up to manifest certain ideals in the hopes of creating a better world. For example, the relationship we have with our parents are a testament of who we are. Important relationships are not only limited to the relationships created between family and personal friends. One can foster meaningful relationships with the wider groups and communities we belong to. Having a range of relationships allows one to be fully balanced and receptive. It is important to take time to connect with others in order to place meaning in these deeper emotional connections.

Family is an important aspect in every culture. Studies have shown that as children grow, they place a great deal of importance in their parents. They develop a different bond filled with trust, security, and comfort. There is an undeniable bond created between a parent and child. The parent finds meaning in life as he or she now has a new purpose: to live and care for another being. As the child grows, he or she senses life through different perspectives.

However, not every family is created equally. When you sense that your family is being emotionally or physically abusive, life shifts. Some people lack the motivation to form deep connections with others because they have been hurt in previous encounters. If this is the perspective one has, it is valid, for being hurt is another deep emotion we share with others. However, one can use this opportunity to replace meaning in building other connections within respective people. It is important to understand that recognizing you are in a toxic relationship is an important step in finding meaning in one’s self. That person should work towards building another life, as this can help drive one’s story towards having a meaningful and purposeful life (2).

Another important connection lies between two people involved in a romantic relationship. Having an intimate relationship with a significant other allows you to be more expressive. You feel loved and accepted, for there is someone who cares about you on another level which has no boundaries or words. In no way or shape or form do you need someone else to be able to add meaning to life. However, there is a different aspect or different emotional bond that allows you to evolve as an individual. Any relationship should give you the ability to add more substance to your life. Love can be expressed to numerous people including your friends or family. Yet, there is something different when you are invested in someone whose perspective of you is through a different light (1). Through having these types of relationships, there is another essence to life in which nobody but the two people involved will ever feel or understand.

Going beyond relationships with other people, the most important relationship that you will probably have is the one with yourself. We are given bodies in which we develop a conscious and our morals to help guide us in life. We have the ability to place meaning in life by practicing how to build a better relationship with ourselves. For instance by treating yourself out after accomplishing a hard task or even a simple compliment to yourself will allow you to respectfully be in tune with yourself. Knowing who you are as a whole through the good and bad is key to understanding how you can live life to the fullest. The connection to the self allows one to be observant and cautious. We often talk to ourselves when contemplating, we know the inner self and what we need. This is already enough to be able to place meaning within yourself. In my opinion, it is important to create deeper level bonds with others however, if you do not have a healthy relationship with yourself then you will not be able to develop meaning in other bonds.

We look forward to meeting new people, the small moments we create have enough momentum towards becoming something bigger. The communities we live in are a foundation of our values and cultures. As a whole we are individuals who come together to invest our energy towards creating a better world. The relationships we build give meaning to not only our lives but to others.

References

Chi, Monica Y. E. “Loving Relationships and a Praxis of Love.” Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health, Nov. 2018. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1080/19349637.2018.1547176.
Smith, Emily Esfahani. “The Secret to a Meaningful Life Is Meaningful Relationships.” The Gottman Institute, https://www.gottman.com ,13 Jan. 2017, www.gottman.com/blog/secret-meaningful-life-meaningful-relationships/.