According to Steven frost, the energy of relationships can make a huge difference to the feelings of an individual. In the effort to surround yourself with and create positive relationships, the beneficial qualities of taking part in a relationship which identifies as positive can bring wonders to any individual. In my opinion there are several qualities and attributes which contribute to building a positive relationship with others and they will be detailed throughout the remainder of this paper.
Throughout my development of this topic, I have identified the main qualities which I believe build and form the foundations of a positive relationship. These include: positivity, perception, honesty, understanding and mutual respect. I also believe that realistic expectations are vital to development of any relationship; whether it be between partners, friends or family.
Spending time to give compliments, commend ideas, acknowledge achievements and appreciate others forms the epitome of positivity. Positivity in all its forms lightens and takes relationships to the next level. As is evident from the movie Juno, the positivity throughout Juno and Pauly’s relationship turns a potentially disastrous situation into a simple, uncomplicated pregnancy. Even in modern day society, positivity vastly contributes to the development of any positive relationship.
Perception and understanding, relatable in their qualities, distinctly relate to this topic. In our constantly busy world, the art of true listening, understanding and perceiving is a rare but simple gift. Others often forget to stop and really listen to those important to them. I believe that being a good listener and being there for each other has the power to truly transform not only others’ lives but our own. Throughout the bible, Jesus reiterates these qualities and the power of listening is very powerful both in the ancient and modern eras.
The example of prominent figures in the Catholic faith like Catherine McAuley and Mother Theresa provide a constant framework for building positive relationships thanks to the powerful influence they exert on the populace. Having a positive relationship with your beliefs is also a major component of religion and again the components mentioned above apply to these situations. A positive relationship must reflect your values and beliefs as well as a sense of perception to what the individual at the receiving end is feeling. Faith and religion play a vital role in developing the foundations of a positive relationship, many of the stories in the bible and teachings centre around kindness towards each another and I personally believe this is a major part of not only developing one, but being part of a relationship that is beneficial to both sides.
The catholic religion is a religion that over time provides us with many pertinent qualities that contribute towards the development of positive relationships. Whilst my time at Catholic school- Mercedes College is almost coming to an end, the values and attitudes I have learnt from the teachings of the Christian faith have really put into perspective the role one plays in order to be a part of a positive relationship. The whole concept of religion to me means being part of a community or ‘relationship’ that requires constant devotion and the ability to constantly maintain that relationship, even throughout times of hardship. This is the main reason why I believe the whole concept of faith is distinctly related to relationships between individuals and the ability to maintain that relationship is a great skill indeed.
Building a positive relationship takes time and a great deal of hard work. With the concepts mentioned above, relationships can mean anything from individuals to a certain faith however the main attitudes and values are prevalent in all. Indeed, building a positive relationship takes time, but who’s’ to say its not worth it?