Personal Growth

Relationships

What we WANT,

What we NEED, &

What we can HANDLE

I. Breakdown for Today

A. Relationship with self

B. Relationships with others (romantic)

– Beginning new relationships

– Major issues in current relationships• Conflict, jealousy, being an individual, keeping

it interesting, building the relationship

– Ending relationships

II. Relationships

A. Relationship with self– “Know thyself and thee will know the gods”

– Old African proverb

• Strengths, weaknesses, core values and beliefs

– Treat yourself well• What do you do for you on a daily/weekly basis?

• Don’t expect a partner to heal your pain

– Know that you deserve to be happy (we all do)• Safety, security, trust

II. Relationships

B. Relationship with others– New relationships

• What type of relationship are you looking for?– Can you handle that type of relationship

• What characteristics are you looking for?

• Where would a person with these characteristics hangout?

• Is it more important to have someone or the “right” someone?

• How do you get the conversation started?

II. Relationships

B. Relationship with others– Major Issues

• Conflict

• Jealousy

• Being an individual with the couple

• Keeping things interesting

• Building a relationship

II. Relationships

B. Relationship with others– Assessing the relationship

• Characteristics of good/poor relationships

• Important Question:– What do I do that makes you feel happy/cared

for/loved?

II. Relationships

B. Relationship with others– Ending relationships

• When do you stay, when do you go?!?

• Rule of thumb (if 75% good, you have something to work with…)

– unless she/he violates a core value (e.g. fidelity, honesty)