The importance of others in my life

​The Importance Of Others In My Life

Poll

How important is for you having people in my life?

• Very important

• Somewhat important

• Not important

​Let us watch a video about "The Importance Of People In Your Life"

​Pay attention because you are going to give me your opinion about the video (Or what you understood)

Open Ended

What are your thoughts about the video? (If you did not understand anything, tell me what you DID understand?

​How often do you think about the importance of relationships in your life? For most of us relationships are just a fact of life, and the thought of them is in the back of our mind. We know we have them but give little thought about their impact on us.

Poll

​How often do you think about the importance of relationships in your life?

• All the time

• Sometimes

• Never

Open Ended

What is Relationship?

One person or one thing alone does not constitute a relationship. According to The Oxford Dictionary relationship is defined as:

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- the way in which two or more concepts, objects, or people are connected, or the state of being connected.

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I often remind myself; life is relationship. Think about it for a moment. Without relationship, life doesn’t exist.

​​​What is Relationship?

Open Ended

How long could a person survive without another human being?

​Human life is always in connection with another being, otherwise life becomes non-existent. It’s commonly said solitary confinement is the cruelest form of punishment. There is a large volume of work on the mental health effects on this subject. There is even a common inference that solitary confinement constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. It is also noted to be a brutal form of torture in numerous references.

Open Ended

What do you think is solitary confident?

​“Something in our nature cries out to be loved by another. Isolation is devastating to the human psyche. That is why solitary confinement is considered the cruelest of punishments.” — Gary Chapman

​Stories of Life in Solitary Confinement

From birth, our lives are molded by relationships. Without another human being to take care of you, you would not have survived. Without other people in your life, you would have an extremely limited view of the world. It is because of relationships that you grow and mature and thrive.

​​The Importance of Relationship

Open Ended

What do you think the word MATURE means?

​Without relationships, life would be meaningless. Thus, the importance of those you “hang around” is a common topic of discussion. Those around you affect who you become. It has been written in countless self-help books and articles on how important it is to have relationships with the right people.

​To say we need other people in life is an understatement if there ever was one. And yes, it’s even true for us introverts! I can speak firsthand to that! While I am okay for long periods of time by myself, my life would be empty were it not for my students, my family, and pets.

Open Ended

What do you think the word MEANINGLESS means?

​Meaningless: having no meaning or significance.

Open Ended

Now that you understand a little bit more what the word MEANINGLESS means. Let me ask you this: Is life meaningless?

​Let us watch a video so it can help us understand that question.

​Please pay attention because you are going to share your thoughts about it.

Poll

​Back to the original question: “How often do you think about the importance of relationships in your life?”

• Everyday

• Sometimes

• Never

Poll

Do you think about how critical they are for you to live a life filled with happiness, joy, and love?

• Yes

• I really don't care

• No

Poll

Do you consider their impact on your daily life and on your life overall?

• Yes

• Sometimes

• No

Poll

Imagine what life would be like if even one person you are close to were suddenly gone. Can you see and feel the piece of your heart that would be missing, the enjoyment of life together you would miss, the pain of separation?

• Yes

• No

Do you give much thought to how much you appreciate someone important in your life? Most of us rarely do, yet to live a fuller and more fulfilling life our thoughts must go there.

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If you never consider the importance of others in your life, you are missing out on a wonderful part of being a human being. It is in the appreciation of others that life flourishes. When you ignore or take for granted those you are close to, they become of less value in your mind and life.

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​As the old saying goes, “out of sight, out of mind.” Another saying states bluntly “familiarity breeds contempt.” It is all too easy to take those close to us for granted. Is there a cure for this? Absolutely, and it is already inside you.

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To overcome this all too common problem in most people’s lives requires only a slight adjustment in thinking. What is the cure for difficulties in relationships?​

Open Ended

Who do you enjoy spending time with?

Open Ended

What do you think is the cure for difficulties in relationships?​

The cure is in one word — appreciation. The reason we become complacent in a relationship is that we do not appreciate the other person in our life. The reason we treat another person with contempt is that we lack appreciation for them as a human being. We forget that they have an impact on our lives, and treat them as an object, not as a person. We take for granted they are just there.

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The way to change this is to begin to realize they are an invaluable human being. To rethink their impact on your life. To appreciate them to the fullest.

What you appreciate appreciates.

What you do not appreciate, depreciates.

​​Appreciation!!!

​Making it Real

Try this little exercise. Think of someone important in your life. It could be your wife, significant other, your child, a parent, someone in your family, or perhaps a good friend.

Imagine one day they are gone. They are no longer part of your life. You will never see them again. You will never be able to speak with or hug them again. They are no more. Let that settle in for a minute.

Frightening isn’t it? Suddenly you miss them. Regrets become overwhelming. You long for them to be back in your life. To speak to them. To hear their voice. To see their inner and outer beauty. Yet they will never return to you this side of heaven.

Sobering thoughts. Terrible feelings. So much pain. Such heartbreak.

Now, return to your present reality. They are still in your life. How do you see that person now? Have you developed some appreciation for them? Do you suddenly have a deeper affection for them? Are you happy they are in your life?

This is the cure for taking someone for granted. Repeat this exercise as often as you need to remind yourself of their tremendous value in your life. Don’t wait until they are actually gone. Then it will be too late to show them how much you care for them. How much you appreciate them being in your life.

A final thought. Put yourself into their shoes for a moment. How is it when someone shows you appreciation? It feels amazing, doesn’t it! Why deny the ones you care about that same feeling?

Practice the exercise and show appreciation to everyone important in your life, one by one, and watch your life blossom into a thing of beauty, full of love and full of life!