Men and women have forgotten the courtship dance. We no longer understand each other, and every absolute line has been blurred. We have been shamed into refraining when we want to give, to be selfish when we desire to be selfless, and to feel guilty when we seek to be with someone who completes us. Once we have found someone spectacular, we are encouraged to leave our lovers at the first sign of strife.

How do we have meaningful relationships when the bright and divine aspects of life have been dimmed? How do we give and receive what we need when society pressures us to ignore and censor our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs?

I believe the key to unlocking the door to a delightful and fulfilling life is to invite humility and empathy into our lives. We must search for ways to creatively navigate our days, give goodness for the sake of goodness, and filter our challenges through a lens of love. We need to actively hold ourselves and others accountable. We need to be fair, offer forgiveness and create opportunities for redemption. We need to be willing to wield our words when it is time to speak. Possess a foundation that is strong and anchored as deep as an ancient tree, and when we witness evil, we must stand against it in a way that is wise, empathetic, and free of taint.

Life is about relationships, and relationships are bound together by love. If we want meaningful, harmonious, and significant bonds with others our insides must be good and pure. Our actions must be honest, we must have the confidence to be vulnerable, and capable of seeing the world through someone else’s eyes. We need to think for ourselves, scour away the unhealthy programing from our mind and start celebrating life.

If we seek to have a fair and honest dance with those we adore, we need to open our eyes to see where the absolute moral lines lay. We must take the time to understand each other, this means creating a space for others to say what they have to say, without chastising them for expressing their thoughts and feelings. When we want to give, we should give. If we feel guilty for doing what we feel is right, dive into it and ask why. Explore the shame to see if we are to blame, and if we are at fault, search for a solution to solve it. We need to let go of our pathological drive for independence, we are all wounded by design, we need each other, because no one was meant to live this life alone. When we have someone special in our life, cherish them, celebrate the blessing of knowing someone who is spectacular. Be there for them, offer them the greatest goodness and accept they are not perfect. No mortal man or woman is perfect. Relationships are a give and take, sometimes you will get your way, but not always. Be open to the idea that the best result in any relationship is one where you both win.