Consistency is the key to success.

Communication is the key to success.

So which is it? I believe it’s both. Let’s talk relationships, because that’s what I’m most interested in these days! 🙂

Consistent communication is the key to a successful relationship. I realize this more definitely every time I am triggered and have to find my way back to peace. If you have studied psychology, in school or in your personal life, you may have heard of “triggers” which may stem from your early childhood, be based on survival, and just need to be talked about (Freudian Theory). Who is always there to listen when you need them?  That person has mastered “success” in being in a relationship with you.  I have that special someone, and in fact, I am blessed with a few close friends who are always there for me when I need them to “talk me off the cliff”. It’s very rewarding to find that new love relationship, with whom you want to grow and learn. Life is too short to withhold communication or be so prideful that you won’t discuss what’s keeping you from experiencing bliss together. Most of life’s little catastrophes (even the smallest disagreement with the love of your life feels like a catastrophe) can be mended with a conversation, AND, that very conversation can even prevent the next debacle. Prevention is the best cure! 😉 If you see on your GPS that there is a storm ahead, you can choose a new route to pass it by or even choose to wait it out. Just stop for coffee, chat, and avoid the storm. Life is too short to waste it on being down and out in the rain. And speaking of grabbing coffee, if that person insists on raining on your parade every time you spend time together, or if they are the “BEST“, but only sometimes, when it works for them, remember you also have the choice to walk down the path of righteousness and peace alone. Or find new friends. Make love not war! These little storms WILL pass and I believe they are essential tests for us to become stronger, wiser humans. However, if you find yourself in the same mud puddle over and over again, you’ve probably created a habit or an addiction to a certain behavior. That’s not a fun realization but the good news is that today is brand new and you have choices. Down came the rain and washed the human out. Out comes the sun and dried up all the rain so the itsy bitsy human can to let go of old habits and replace them with new neural pathways. Let Portia Nelson explain it in five short chapters:

Autobiography In Five Short Chapters

Chapter I

I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost… I am hopeless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter II

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in this same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

 Chapter III

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it there.
I still fall in… it’s a habit… but,
my eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

 Chapter IV

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter V

I walk down another street.

– Portia Nelson

Make it a good day. Let go of the old. Embrace the new. Then tell someone how you did it and hold their hand on the pathway to peace. And Never Eat Alone (read the book by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz). Spread the good news!

Peace.