Key 1 – Authenticity

Positive relationships are based on this first key, authenticity. From the very beginning you shall aim for complete honesty to yourself about what you are looking for in this friendship, relationship, or companionship. Each participant in a relationship must understand why they are in the relationship. A great example of this is what most refer to as “A man’s best friend.” Simply put, the dog has entered the relationship in reliance of food and care from the owner. Alternatively, the owner has entered the relationship based on love and affection. Understanding your own authentic reason for entering a relationship is key to a positive relationship.

Key 2 – Teamwork

If both participants are honest with their motivation for being in the relationship, you may move on to working on the second key to positive relationships, teamwork. You are already off to a great start with teamwork by being honest with your motivation. This shows your ability to come together for a single mission. Teamwork is the talent of working as parts to make a greater whole. You must work with your partner in all facets of your relationship transparently, to have positive impact on your relationship.

Key 3 – Patience

Patience shows your willingness to commit time and energy to something you may not believe has as much value as the time being spent on it. Patience is imperative to understanding your partner in the relationship. Yes, it is hard to wait. However, showing your partner that you are willing to wait in order to understand them, shows your partner that the relationship is not temporary. It shows that you are willing to spend time on them. Patience positively impacts the communication in your relationship.

Key 4 – Flexibility

Are you willing to change? More importantly, are you willing to let your partner change? Flexibility in this blog does not relate to stretching muscles or taking a different route to work. Flexibility in a positive relationship means being open to change and persuasion. We all have that friend that will never change their views on gun control. Either for or against. A positive relationship calls for flexibility in what you believe and what your partner believes. This shatters the feeling of being “trapped” in a relationship. Be flexible. Be open minded.

Key 5 – Trust

Positive relationship are unconditionally filled with trust. Most of this begins with key 1 – authenticity, actually. Most negative relationships are filled with wonder and translucency, meaning you believe you may know the motivation of the relationship, but can’t define it. Trusting in your partner must be accomplished to have a positive relationship. Now, this does not have to be accomplished in the first month or even the first year, but it must be achieved.

Key 6 – Active Forgiveness

Lastly, forgiveness. This is the most important part of a SUSTAINABLE positive relationship. Truly, in a way you have never heard of before. Forgiveness is to give up resentment of or claim to requital. However the most important part of forgiveness, is to truly show it actively as the victim. This is hard. You were in the right. They were in the wrong. But for a relationship to continue to be positive, you must continuously and actively forgive your partner.