Relational Gateways

I’ve become convicted of the belief that life is based upon relationships. Of course, we know this in rudimentary terms, as it is human interaction that creates an evolutionary world. Though, I’ve come to look at human relationships as being something much deeper. After all, it is the loving relationship that we yearn for most. The deepest part of our “self” wants to be lovingly accepted by those we interact with. For it is such loving relationships that bring the greatest joys to our lives.

If we are of right mind, we will surely pursue such joys on a consistent basis. Everyday, we have the opportunity to deepen relationships or begin new ones. They can be basic or complex. They can be brief or lengthy. Whenever we interact with another person, we have the choice of whether to be authentic with that person. You might ask the supermarket clerk about her family or the janitor about his hobby. You might compliment your colleague on his work or ask your children about the emotions they felt during the day. These are the people in your life each day that you can draw closer to by simply being sincere. Were you thinking about this as you spoke to others today? I’m often not.

Upon accepting that life is founded on relationships, we must assess our lives to see if we are living out such a belief. We must become completely relationally minded. Our actions should be guided by our desire for loving relationships. If we wish to be loved, we must love. This law of nature must be adhered to.

As I personally began to reflect on these truths, I realized that an aspect of my life had drifted far from this thinking. The bulk of my day is presently spent working on business projects or meeting with businesspeople. My mind is inundated with thoughts about business. Rather ambitious, I envision lofty ideals and the creation of widespread impact based on altruism. As is the case, I have made these goals the center of my agenda. When I meet with people, my mind is set on how we can work together so as to achieve our goals.

I must reverse this thinking. I must begin to look at business and these goals as being a relational gateway to the greater purpose. That is, business must act as a tool that is a means to the end of forming loving relationships. Therefore, the true aim of business is to form authentically selfless relationships – not to achieve great things in the future. Though, I do believe that it is through such types of relationships that revolutionary change manifests!

Is your life guided by the desire to have sincere relationships? I hope that it is, and I encourage you to deepen this desire. Take an extra minute today and learn about the life of the janitor, store clerk, secretary, banker, child, boss, etc. I promise that you will be rewarded – as will they!

TS