6 Relationship Tips
Has anyone ever told you to stop and smell the roses?
Have you ever wondered why?
Roses have long been symbolic of giving and receiving love, represented by the flower; the thorns signifying the obstacles and challenges of maintaining love.
Do roses really affect the heart, love and connection?
If you find it challenging to make meaningful connections in your life, try these:
Six Tips for Being in Relationship with Others
(HINT: Roses definitely have something to do with it!)
One. We are responsible for our own feelings. Things happen, and as a result, one can feel a certain way based off of their interpretation of that event. Avoid the phrase, “You make me feel…” Nobody “makes” anybody feel anything. Dr. Kylie House MD
Two. Roses are like a small hug for your heart. Rose essential oil can be diluted in a carrier oil (like coconut, olive oil or sesame oil) and applied over your heart before therapy sessions, ketamine sessions or deep conversations with a partner or loved one. It will bring a sense of calm and peace and help you stay grounded. Dr. Mary Rondeau ND
Three. Compassionate communication is a useful approach for nurturing connection and with the important people in our life. Also known as Nonviolent Communication, or NVC, this communication model involves listening and speaking with empathy, from the heart. NVC is a tool for those struggling in relational conflicts as a way to overcome patterns of blame and avoidance and build trust, vulnerability, and intimacy. Stephen Thomas MSW, ACC
Four. When connecting with others, listen to learn. In relationship, the word “know” can be a pitfall. Avoid using the phrase “I know you think, feel, want.” Unless you’ve heard it directly, you cannot “know” how another person is feeling. Dr. Kylie House MD
Five. Roses energetically help protect the heart. If your heart is always open and you give too much of yourself away, rose will help you set gentle boundaries. If you have been hurt too many times and feel your heart is closed and not receptive to love, rose will help soften it so that you feel love again. Dr. Mary Rondeau ND
Six. “Accepting influence” is another helpful skill for fostering healthy relationships. This can be especially useful in intimate partner relationships where conflict may be arising around differences in beliefs, interests, or “quirks” of behavior. When we accept the influence of an important person in our life, we are making a conscious effort to drop the need to be “right” or do things our way. We open up a space for appreciation and curiosity which will often be reciprocated, leading to greater harmony and intimacy. Stephen Thomas MSW, ACC
Being in relationship with others is an integral part of the human experience. Practicing these strategies for connection might help you realize a different level of success.