Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Developing Positive Relationships or How to be a Decent Guy


Nodes took a hiatus for a year, but I am back, recharged, and ready to explore again some of the more interesting corners of popular culture and sociology.

For today, a more personal post.

What are the critical components to develop and maintain relationships of all types? Whether it be friendships, family, romantic, or creative? I think we can distill down the key components to make all these relationships flourish.

In no specific order, here are my lego building blocks to meaningful connections with humans. I work on these everyday, sometimes successfully, sometimes not. It is in the trying.



  • Positivity 
  • Friendship
  • Love
  • Honesty 
  • Fun 
  • Directness
  • Light
  • Grace
  • Creativity
  • Forgiveness
  • Sacrifice 
  • Perseverance 
  • Openness
  • Trust 
  • Accept responsibility 
  • Belief
  • Keep an open mind
  • Be flexible
  • It is OK to say No
  • Use logic
  • Be rationale
  • Express your feelings early not late
  • Compatibility  (Physically, emotionally and intellectually)
  • Patience & time for one another
  • Humor & fun
  • Effective communication & conflict resolution
  • Acceptance
  • Shared values
  • Serving heart
  • Common purpose 
  • Interest 
  • Amusement 
  • Joy 
  • Serenity 
  • Gratitude 
  • Inspiration 
  • Awe 



What did I miss?

Image: courtesy of https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEusPR9HTnSJ4P0183LqA58iOSLUzcQwySh8xSElcybjnMZ2L2YLI8wlVHGQJH2ZBcl9CRdYTj2kDJhXT_j-TqWb33_mvxk9C6rjWxdFHGELjfCbG2mnOCuNpD5Zru_zZsdKiklopTKO7W/s1600/cartoon-meaning-of-life.jpg