I believe one of the greatest problems in relationships today is caused by a simple modern fallacy. In our age, understanding is posed as the foundation of relationship. It is not. The foundation of relationship is acceptance.
It is great wisdom to accept people where they are on the journey of life. Acceptance is the welcoming open arms of relationship.
The eighth of the Ten Principles of Excellence in Matthew Kelly’s book, The Rhythm of Life is “People deserve to be cherished.”
In order to cherish people, we must look beyond our personal preferences, prejudices, and judgmental inclinations to discover and reverence the wonder and marvel of the individual.
It is helpful to remember that we are all at different points along the path of life. Our ability to love and cherish people increases infinitely as we learn to accept people for who they are and where they are on their journey. Some people are at places we ourselves have been before, others are in places we have not yet been. It is a journey of trust that the same God who is moving you toward your purpose and dreams is moving them toward theirs. Even when you cannot understand people; accept them, cherish them.
Along the way, you will meet many people. Some of them you will help, assist, and advise. Others will help, assist and advise you. It has been my experience that when you think you are there to help someone else, chances are they are really there to help you. Our students make the best teachers.
Without the help of others, you will never make the journey. It is simply part of the divine plan that we make this journey together.
It is a funny thing that I have observed about life – mistakes are almost always and inevitably one’s own responsibility, but one’s successes, triumphs, and worthwhile achievements are rarely accomplished without the help of others.
The greatest barrier to loving people, to cherishing people, and to accepting people is our inability to see ourselves in them. Take a closer look. We are one. To see ourselves in others, (perhaps even our enemies) and others in ourselves; that is truly acceptance and perhaps the precursor of wisdom.
My father always told me that the key to success in business is personal relationships. My mother always told me that the key to a rich and rewarding personal life is personal relationships. I have discovered that the key to an abundant spiritual life is best served by developing first the vertical relationship with the Trinity before attempting all the horizontal personal relationships in our daily lives.
Life is relationship.
How are you relating? How are your relationships? Positively memorable I hope!
People indeed are a gift. Each person who crosses through your life is a chance to love, an opportunity to really live. Cherish people.
Blessings as you pass through the gateway to the summer and beyond of 2020.
The above is verbatim from the book except for the italicized words added by merlin