When two people first get together they are infatuated, and it is quite common for them to see no fault in each other. They are in the beginning stages of the relationship and they overlook the shortcomings of their partner. Then some time passes and all of sudden little cracks start appearing. Chances are that you and your partner are well aware of a few problem areas, and now you are looking for the secret to relationships.
The truth is that there is no single thing that makes a relationship; instead, it's a series of "secrets" that work together to make a couple happier. Here are a few of the most important ingredients for having a good relationship.
Love – Being in love is not the same as expressing your love for your mate. The big secret to relationships is knowing how your partner likes to be shown love. Some people are perfectly content to hear the words "I love you", while others need physical proof of love. The easiest way to find out how your partner prefers love to be demonstrated is to ask them.
Trust – Lies damage relationships, and even seemingly small lies will chip away at the relationship, leading to mistrust. Every successful relationship is built on a foundation of trust, and that foundation is often built one stone at a time. However, a single lie, if it's bad enough, can tear it all down. Do your best to be honest with each other, and be tactful when the truth is difficult.
Kindness – Do you always treat your partner as though they are the person you love more than anybody else, or do you sometimes treat them worse than you would treat your worst enemy? It's sad, but we often reserve our harshest words and actions for our partners. Maybe it's because we think they will always love us, but even if that's the case, it's not an excuse to be mean. Treat your partner with kindness and you will notice your relationship getting better.
Respect – This is more of an open secret to relationships, yet so many people forget its value. Treating each other with respect will make things run smoothly. There should be an underlying respect that permeates all aspects of your relationship. Respect means that you value each other as people, and that you care about the other person. If you find that the two of you are arguing more than you used to, then there's a good chance that it's due, in part, to an erosion of respect.
Thoughtfulness – When giving gifts, people often say "it's the thought that counts." This is normally said when the gift isn't all that great, but thoughtfulness in a relationship is much more than a crafty way of covering up a bad gift; it's a way of letting the other person know you are thinking of them, and that's a secret to relationships that can't be faked.
