Communication

"Ultimately good communication comes from from capacity and willingness to take responsibility for yourself. Do not expect the other to do that job for you.
One way we grow our own self esteem is by being able to handle when life and others do not come through for us. It is a big challenge for most of us, and you have to have compassion for yourself when you struggle with it, but it will eventually pay off in self efficacy. If you have a partner that can and will listen to you that is wonderful. Remember to acknowledge this directly.

Exceptional couples may make mistakes, argue, and hurt each other about as much as the rest. People are people, not saints. But “good” couples know how to go back regularly and clean up the messes they have made. They can repair and apologize. They can have a conversation and decide what to do about the mess while it is happening, or soon after, so it doesn’t go underground unexamined and unresolved

Nobody gets a perfect mate. Nobody is a perfect mate. By the time we meet our partners, we are all somewhat dented by life. Just living as a human being, no matter how wonderful your parents were, will dent you up some. We are limited as people in relationships, and as humans in the first place. It is the human challenge that we are aware of ourselves and our limitations. We can face that challenge with others, particularly in committed relationships, so we grow in consciousness and can deal directly with the predicaments of being human."

- Helene B.