Interpersonal Relationships with friends, coworkers, loved ones, and people in general are impacted by many factors. In any interpersonal exchange, each party brings their own unique set of qualities, expectations, and interaction style to the table. Relationships can develop naturally, effortlessly, and harmoniously in some cases. Other times relationships can form based on an intense interpersonal connection… and some relationships don’t occur at all. A vital component to creating meaningful, respectful, and authentic relationships with others involves taking responsibility for your own behaviors and expectations. When you begin to realize that the only person’s behavior you can truly “control” is your own, freedom and tranquility are within reach. It is possible to become mindfully aware of your personal style of interacting with others through being open to feedback without defensiveness, willing to alter or let go of maladaptive behaviors, and reasonably flexible in making compromises.

In any relationship, be it a friendship or marriage, no one is going to get “all” of their needs met “all” of the time; to believe this deprives each person of the opportunity to learn and grow within the context of a relationship. There are many skills and strategies that can be learned and employed within relationships to increase harmony, decrease conflict, and reach compromises. The trick is to make the choice to put them into practice in the moment. By becoming more mindfully connected with the present moment, it is possible to increase awareness of times when maladaptive interpersonal patterns are occurring. Mindful awareness provides the space for you to choose your behaviors with greater intention and do your part to achieve a positive outcome. Interactions with others won’t always go smoothly, but there is peace in knowing that you have the freedom to choose how you will engage with others.