Creative Commons Photo Credit by patrickyc
I have been thinking about relationships a lot lately. Personally, I believe relationships is the one thing that drives everything. Relationships will either have a negative effect on you and the people around you or help you grow in all areas of life.
Here are four reasons why I believe that creating relationships is so important:
1. Relationships create stronger community.
The example I will use here is church because most people have visited a church at some point in their life. When you first walked into that church, you either felt welcomed, or you didn’t. You felt part of the community, or you didn’t. If this happened repeatedly, you may have even thought of going somewhere else. It’s that important. I’m not saying that it’s all their fault because we can start a conversation just as much as we can, but if I walk into someone’s house I expect to be welcomed in… oh, that’s a different blog post. Anyways, this relationship aspect can relate into normal day life. When you greet people, love people and genuinely care about others, that creates a different relationship than just those “surface” conversations. You become family and those relationships are always the best for everyone involved.
2. It grows confidence.
Maybe this is just me, but it takes some time for me to feel comfortable in relationships. It takes time for me to figure out what that look on your face really means, it takes time to know what you are really thinking and it definitely takes time to go deeper than just those “surface” conversations. But, as relationships grow, then confidence starts to build. Not only in those relationships, but finding it in every relationship becomes more fluid. I guess this principle applies in many areas of life-the more that you achieve or even attempt something, it becomes easier over time.
3. Networking.
Whether you like this part of the hustle, it is just so important. If you want to become a better writer, get to know other good writers. If you want to be a great musician, learn things from other great writers. If you want to become a good astronaut, then learn from other great astronauts…I think that last one applies. Well, you get what I mean. Find those that you want to learn from, those that you want to get to know more and those you can mentor in life and then create relationships with those people. It will most likely be easy because you will already have something in common with them.
4. Here’s the big one…It’s what life is all about.
Think about this one for a minute.
Creating relationships might be the single most action you can perform. Throughout life you form relationships with friends and family, which will form you into the person that you will ultimately become. That’s pretty important, right? So, be strategic in the relationships that you make because they will end up teaching you so much.
Do you have to be more intentional on focusing on relationships or does it just come natural for you? You can leave a comment below.
I am an extroverted recluse! (figure that one out) I spend the bulk of my time with my Mom (age 82 going on 32) and my sweet old dog. However, I do have a vast network of people in my life, including friends and neighbors; family and just folks I meet when I go shopping. I evaluate all of my relationships by my relationship with God. If someone draws me away from God, I try to remedy it, but if it doesn’t work, I walk away. Relationships depend so much on the reactions we have to others – differing personalities, backgrounds, etc. God introduces to all of the people in our lives, and He sets a purpose for each of them; as He sets a purpose for us in the lives of others.
This is a great post – keep up the good work. May God bless you with many wonderful relationships.
Thanks so much 🙂
I am an extroverted recluse! (figure that one out) I spend the bulk of my time with my Mom (age 82 going on 32) and my sweet old dog. However, I do have a vast network of people in my life, including friends and neighbors; family and just folks I meet when I go shopping. I evaluate all of my relationships by my relationship with God. If someone draws me away from God, I try to remedy it, but if it doesn’t work, I walk away. Relationships depend so much on the reactions we have to others – differing personalities, backgrounds, etc. God introduces to all of the people in our lives, and He sets a purpose for each of them; as He sets a purpose for us in the lives of others.
This is a great post – keep up the good work. May God bless you with many wonderful relationships.
Thanks so much 🙂
I have also been thinking about the importance of relationships in a leadership context. I plan on writing on it in the future.
Everyone needs relationships in order to live a full life. We need other people who will be beside us during the hard time and others who can give us a good kick in the pants when needed.
Great post!!!
Agreed
I have also been thinking about the importance of relationships in a leadership context. I plan on writing on it in the future.
Everyone needs relationships in order to live a full life. We need other people who will be beside us during the hard time and others who can give us a good kick in the pants when needed.
Great post!!!
Agreed
It usually is only natural for me to focus on a couple relationships at a time, as opposed to having a vast network of friends. But you’re right, having relationships of all sorts is important, and that’s why I have to come outside of my comfort zone on this one.
I like your last point. I’ve said before that if community wasn’t important to God then He would only have needed to make one of us!
Thanks for the insight.
Awesome Stephen!
It usually is only natural for me to focus on a couple relationships at a time, as opposed to having a vast network of friends. But you’re right, having relationships of all sorts is important, and that’s why I have to come outside of my comfort zone on this one.
I like your last point. I’ve said before that if community wasn’t important to God then He would only have needed to make one of us!
Thanks for the insight.
Awesome Stephen!
I definitely doesn’t come naturally to me. I’m more of a doer – I can hole myself up in my home office and crank out work for hours on end and not even realize a whole day went by. Not to mention, I’m an introvert by nature. I need times when I withdraw and am by myself. But I do value relationships and do what I can to make them work.
This sounds like a description of myself 🙂
I definitely doesn’t come naturally to me. I’m more of a doer – I can hole myself up in my home office and crank out work for hours on end and not even realize a whole day went by. Not to mention, I’m an introvert by nature. I need times when I withdraw and am by myself. But I do value relationships and do what I can to make them work.
This sounds like a description of myself 🙂
I have to be intentional. Socializing comes natural, but if I’m really interested in staying connected with that person, then I’m intentional, but in the end it’s takes two to make that grow.
agreed 🙂
I have to be intentional. Socializing comes natural, but if I’m really interested in staying connected with that person, then I’m intentional, but in the end it’s takes two to make that grow.
agreed 🙂
Genesis 2:18 shows us God’s emphasis on relationships. I know it’s something I need to be increasingly more intentional about.
Awesome man. I think we all could a little 🙂
Genesis 2:18 shows us God’s emphasis on relationships. I know it’s something I need to be increasingly more intentional about.
Awesome man. I think we all could a little 🙂