“The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances; if there is any reaction, both are transformed.”
Carl Jung
Relationships provide us with tremendous opportunities to develop as human beings. Most of us long for intimacy and the feeling of loving and being loved. We also struggle with issues of autonomy, dependency and the need for compromise and acceptance in a relationship. Relationships, or a lack of them, are one of the main reasons people enter into therapy.
Cultural differences may play a role. A relationship with someone from another culture can be very exciting and enhance our awareness of ourselves and the world. However, it often requires more work and an ability to let go of ways of being which are culturally determined. Although we may be aware of these differences, it is not always easy to see how they are contributing to problems in a relationship or friendship.
Should I stay or should I go………..?
While we long to open our hearts to another, hurt from the past and fear of abandonment may prevent us from doing this. And from making a real commitment. On the other hand, fear of being alone may keep us in a relationship which is no longer supportive to our emotional, mental and physical health.
Relationship counselling can help by interrupting and clarifying the patterns of relating and making us aware of choices. While encouraging both people to express themselves in ways that are authentic and truthful as well as being compassionate with themselves and the other.
“To love means to open ourselves to the negative as well as the positive-to grief, sorrow, and disappointment as well as to joy, fulfillment and an intensity of consciousness we did not know was possible before.” Rollo May