Nurturing and Neglect

Are you nurturing or neglecting your relationships?

 

Many times, I observe people neglecting those who love them. These people become so immersed in their day to day life that they forget what is most important to them.  It reminds me of caring for a house plant.

 

If the soil is not conditioned, the roots will not be strong enough to withstand the stress that comes with life.  If it lacks water, it will dry up and wither away.   If it is not given enough light, it will stretch itself towards any source of light that it can find.  If your plant is forgotten, it will eventually meet its demise. 

 

Our relationships can be just like the life of the neglected house plant.  If we don’t spend enough time together, the roots of our relationship will be weak.  If we do not nourish it with communication, there will be a drought.  If we do not spend the effort and time that is needed for growth, then someone might stray to another source for that fulfillment.  And if your person feels unappreciated or forgotten, then they may give up altogether. 

 

What I see is that people only want to put the effort in at the beginning, when it is new and exciting.  They do not pay attention to the signals and signs that someone is unhappy until it is too late to salvage the relationship.  Making a last-ditch effort to salvage a relationship does not work most of the time.   

 

A relationship is a living, breathing entity, just like a house plant.  It cannot suffer through long-term neglect, lack of effort spent towards it, or a weak foundation.  Both need time, attention, and care.  Both need to feel important and valued.  Your relationships are living, breathing organisms that will grow with the amount of time and energy that you put into them. 

 

If someone is important to you, make the effort to spend time with them.  If you love them, make sure that they know that they are loved.  If you value their presence in your life, acknowledge that to them.  Show appreciation for the beautiful things about them.  Make the people you love a priority and your relationship will thrive.