Monday, June 14, 2010

Secret #6: Connection - Life connections

Gary Smalley said: Life is relationships; the rest is just details. I'm sure you agree with him or at least will by the time we're done with this piece. Encarta's definition of relationship should help too: "a significant connection or similarity between two or more things, or the state of being related to something else."

We're all related or connected to someone or something...by birth, association, marriage, employment and so on which is why this quote is valuable in guiding us in our "life connections:

“Relationships-of all kinds-are like sand held in your hand. Held loosely, with an open hand, the sand remains where it is. The minute you close your hand and squeeze tightly to hold on, the sand trickles through your fingers. You may hold onto some of it, but most will be spilled. A relationship is like that. Held loosely, with respect and freedom for the other person, it is likely to remain intact. But hold too tightly, too possessively, and the relationship slips away and is lost.” (Author unknown)

According to Brian Tracy, and I couldn't agree more, “The glue that holds all relationships together - including the relationship between the leader and the led is trust, and trust is based on integrity.”

Barbara De Angelis breaks it down for us, she said: "Living with integrity means:
· Not settling for less than what you know you deserve in your relationships
· Asking for what you want and need from others
· Speaking your truth, even though it might create conflict or tension.
· Behaving in ways that are in harmony with your personal values.
· Making choices based on what you believe, and not what others believe."

Integrity is inextricably linked with courage which we talked about extensively last year so I won't go down that path. I encourage you to look up the Courage series on this blog (we have a search function). There are so many life connections and we need courage to choose/remain in the right ones.

All relationships, I dare say even family relationships, are enhanced by some sort of friendliness and "there can be no friendship without confidence, and no confidence without integrity." (Samuel Johnson)

To get the best out of any life connection, give your best to it.

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