In relationships that we need, we will not only adjust our behavior, but we may even adjust beliefs to accommodate the power of the other and the power of the relationship.
This can be beneficial, therapeutic, indeed, growing the relationship; or disastrous, making the relationship a doomed relationship.
When we are in the relationship, we can only perceive from that personal level. This is why, we say, that it is difficult to be objective. It is difficult to be objective, but I would say that it is difficult to be objective because of our beliefs inside of the relationship. Look at how parents cling to beliefs that their children are nothing but good and pure? They will not see the lying and stealing of their own drug addicted child until they can let go of their own perception of the loving seven year old who brought love notes homes from school, or their own idea of what a good parent they are.
Our discomfort about our disbelief about our new reality is what causes us pain. Those that can accept the new reality have a better chance of making a plan and applying it to the new reality and thus creating hope.
There is another component to being “In It” that makes us perceive our relationships in different ways than others do and that is that we may be aware of information that others are not. This information can make others think differently (perhaps be less judgmental), but we cannot share this information at all and so we must suffer another’s condemnation of our actions even though there are undeserved.
Is it any wonder that honesty is the best way to keep relationships positive? An honest exchange and discourse, with allowances for others beliefs, can go a long way to understanding. And truly, when we are in it, we may not see what others see, but aren’t others judgment also clouded by their own belief system?
To say the least, it is complicated, which is why communication is the key to making relationships successful.
