HOW DO YOU MAKE A RELATIONSHIP WORK ?

         To make a relationship work, it must be clear to both partners that a relationship is, in fact, work. Love is a wonderful emotion, and to know love with another person is to have the basis of what it takes to make a relationship work. But having love without work is like having a really nice car without gas... you're not going to go anywhere. Any lasting and successful relationship requires work to keep it moving forward and only if you work towards maintaining the following traits can you truly understand how to make a relationship work.

     Communication

    Communication is paramount when it comes to making a relationship work. Many couples believe that one partner should know what the other is thinking and then should act accordingly... this is nonsense.

While you should know your partner well enough to know what your partner needs to some degree, we are not mind readers, and to truly get what you want or need you must communicate that. You cannot assume that your partner will somehow know exactly how you like to be loved if you've never communicated this information implicitly. To know how to make a relationship work is to know how to talk.

    Honesty and Trust

   These traits go hand in hand in making a relationship work. You have to be honest to your partner in order to gain the trust you desire. You also have to know how to trust your partner. Many couples mistake having an issue about what's appropriate to having an issue with trust. People in committed relationships should understand the difference.

To clarify, if you're not comfortable with your partner hanging out in strip clubs Thursday through Sunday every weekend does not mean you lack trust, it just mean that that type of behavior is not necessarily appropriate for someone in a committed relationship.

     Loyalty

   To make a relationship work, you must have loyalty to your partner. You support your partner, always, especially in the company of others. Never show "dissension in the ranks", so to speak. Any disagreements the two of you have must be settled behind closed doors. If you want your relationship to work you need to keep all unnecessary parties out of you and your partner's business.

     Appreciation

   Appreciation is key in any relationship. To make a relationship work, you must genuinely appreciate your partner, and take every opportunity to show your gratitude. The worst feeling to have in a relationship is to not feel appreciated. Don't be stingy with the "thank you's" and the "I love you's". Snuggle up to a movie at the end of the day and randomly massage your partner's feet because you know they've worked hard all day, whether in the home or at the office.

   These are just a few important traits to make a relationship work. While many others exist, following these few will get any couple off to a great start and send them well on their way to a long and happy relationship.

     Although it can be difficult to maintain a harmonious relationship of the couple, it's worth to try.