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 http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E6eP4Qggm64/TfYxf3W1uqI/AAAAAAAABOg/SVMtCL_IxM8/s1600/cartoon-meaning-of-life.jpg