Purposeful relationships are those that are developed with a clear goal and principles but also with the wish of enhancing the relationship. It doesn’t just occur automatically; to make it work, time and energy have to be invested as well as ensuring that one understands the relations between two people. Among the important values that need to be employed in developing and maintaining such relations are love and forgiveness.
The basis of every relationship that has any sense is love. This has to be more than a word; it is a deed, a choice to invest time and effort in a person’s welfare. In an intentional relationship love lies in the virtues of being patient with the other persons, being kind and being willing to stick with each other in the rains and sunshine. It means attentiveness which is listening to the other person and expressing acknowledgement of the other person. This makes love enable us to look pass any issues regarding the physical features, and shortcomings that are present in ones’ life.
But even in lovely marriages, or rather civilized established partnerships, no symbiosis remains without its difficulties. Thus, conflict, bickering or simply misunderstanding, as well as making mistakes, are rather to be expected than avoided. This is where forgiveness becomes crucial When one realizes that for years they have been in a wretched state deep in hatred against neighbors and family members, probably rightfully so, it takes the grace of God to forgive them and allow avert their eyes towards building a better future for their families. It is therefore very crucial to appreciate that forgiveness does not entail denial or minimization of the wrongs that have occurred but merely means the willingness to have the pain and anger that arise from violations denies their power to create a rift between individuals. It is about bowing down and paying attention to the issue, to the pain and then, starting afresh with a blank check.
It opened the door for healing which would be possible with the friend formerly offended. This way, both partners of the relationship are capable of knowing their shortcomings and in return embrace change. That is, in an intentional relationship, forgiveness is done purposely, with no eye on the score or vengeance. It is concerning the notion of ‘forsaking the idea of the perfect relationship and embracing that no one is perfect and what is more important is the effort put to the relationship and each other.
Relational intention also bes for the need for openness in communication. To feel valued emotions must be put into words, and expectations have to be articulated and negotiated as well, and conflicts solved non-violently. Again, love and forgiveness which are arguments in this case are strong since they make communication to be viewed as a chance instead of causing divisions in a relationship.
This means that for one to maintain an intentional relationship, there is the need to work at it. This means spending quality time together, regarding each other partner’s achievements as own victories, and being there for each other during the losses. It also means paying attention to the subtle things that still matter in the relationship such as saying thank you, being thoughtful and being trustworthy. This means that it may take sometime to build it and it is realised through predictable behaviours that are considered to be truthful.
Apologies feature into connection maintenance on a regular basis. This is not to say that people will be perfect in what they do, and that there will be no mistake. This is the reason why the possibility to forgive and be forgiven can be deemed as the basis of relationships’ sustainability in face of all the inevitable difficulties. Through forgiveness, both people establish a feeling of the worth of the other individual and honor when things go wrong.
In a nutshell, it entails love, forgiveness and deliberate effort for people to be in a process of cultivating and maintaining the relationships. Where love is concerned, people are joined together while forgiveness is that which ensures that they stick together in spite of their arising differences. Thus by adopting these principles we can build the relationships that are not only close and long-term, but also a joy to maintain, that have mutual respect and understanding. That way, we improve our existence and the existence of all we are dear to, being always connected on a kind of level that rather exists beyond time.