Life is replete with lessons for us to awaken to or with. Some of those come in the form of departures, or major changes in relationships.
As I reflect on my own life, I’ve learned some mighty lessons. The lesson of greatest significance that comes to mind is the importance of being “truly” independent within the context of any relationship. This is primary because, if you’re dependant in any way, the relationship becomes strained. There are aspects of give and take, but it’s all too easy for the “give” or the “take” to become out of balance.
Marriage is the perfect incubator for everything good and bad. In a marriage, undoubtedly, you will feel anything that can be felt. It’s the greatest living test of oneself. It can foster the greatest and/or the worst of times.
I’ve never seen a marriage between two people (including myself and my wife) – where one was healthy and one unhealthy. Basically, in most respects, you marry a mirror image of your healthy or unhealthy composite. I say composite because you have to look at the total person. And if the total per is living a 3 on a scale of 1-10, they’re going to end up with a 3, and they’re going to be in trouble. It takes a while before you truly know what you actually are; let alone someone else. But if you’re a 9 or a 10, you will find the same.
I believe that there is a chance for people that are both low numbers to realize it and to work to improve together. But I’ll have to get back to you on that one, because my life and marriage is a work in progress…!
Sometimes life has one getting healthier faster than the other, as you grow in a relationship. Sometimes it shifts back in forth.
But, the bottom line is that a person needs to be healthy and complete first. If one finds that they are complete; they can naturally find themselves being attracted to the same holistic composite in another. But, guess what? It’s very rare. Look at the divorce rate today! Or, look at all of the dysfunctional relationships! I honestly see very few relationships (married ones or other) that shows real happiness. It’s, unfortunately, very rare.
I am finally starting to understand what components are essential in being complete while alone. One can even find themselves alone while in a relationship (or marriage).
We can’t have a healthy relationship based on needing anything; including sex. It can’t be for money, or any one thing that can be mentioned. You need to be complete alone first, and then you successfully share that completeness with another “complete” person.
Many lessons are usually part of life’s journey; for one to finally arrive at the above stated understandings. Clarity doesn’t, often, come cheap! And, “oh,” those lessons can be enough to take your breath away. Or, at least, you may feel like it. However, there may not be a greater lesson to learn from life; from the standpoint of value.