Saturday, October 22, 2011
At Arm's Length
In this world it seems people all have different needs for their personal space as well as desire for physical proximity to others, not just with strangers but in their given and chosen relationships they have in their life. Research has shown most folks need several arms lengths between themselves and total strangers. Situations such as elevators and other space issued situations cause uneasiness and anxiety for many people. Call it your comfort zone, we all have them and I have observed they vary greatly from person to person, as well as from situation to situation. It is understandable in the stranger situation where ones tolerance level to proximity to an unknown person or group of people causes discomfort. What puzzles me is when individuals in relationships of a much more known and intimate level, distance and create barriers to avoid physical closeness with family, friends and even lovers. The very person you love needs and desires to be close to you, that is most of the time. In a fledgling relationship, often times the need for closeness can often border on overwhelming, but that is when individuals are gaining trust, respect and want to let the other person feel loved, wanted and needed. Once a level of comfort is gained, often times the need for physical closeness diminishes, but remains an important facet to the relationship.
Finding a match in reality that most closely mirrors ones own intimacy and physicality imprint is a daunting task at times. Often we hope for the very best but end up accepting what we find in our partners in life and romance. Sometimes this can be labeled "settling" and sometimes it is just a radical acceptance of someone whom fits our needs and interests most closely in every other way. It seems one can never truly get a perfect match in all areas of our lives, so we strive to get the best we can and make it work for us within the framework of what works for us in a given situation. We all have our own personal limits of what we want, versus what we can tolerate, and accept to be relatively happy and stable individuals.
Sometimes I think what happens with couples is that we grow too accustomed to one another, and one partner often ends up more on the giving end than the receiving end, often times at their own hands and acceptance of what the other person is willing to give or offer in terms of intimacy. In life nothing should ever be a 50/50 proposition, each person should come to the table prepared to give 100 percent of themselves, when there is a deficit, then the total will still most likely always exceed what the relationship requires to be mutually satisfying. It is key not to take anything or anyone for granted, they could be gone tomorrow for any given or unexpected reason, and leave one reeling in the pain of loss. Healthy, good and mutually satisfying relationships require work on the parts of all individuals involved. Being stingy with ones affection, time or assistance can eventually cause an erosion and/or meltdown of the entire situation, causing damage that may become permanent or irreparable Keeping a watch on the simmering pot of any relationship is the full responsibility of all involved individuals. As in most situations, communication is one of the key elements to keeping things simmering, and not boiling over, or drying out.
In summary, keeping your fingers on the pulse of one another can truly keep things percolating along and just strengthen and maintain what a good relationship is meant to be. One just needs to take the time to listen, look and think. Put yourself in the place of the other person on a regular basis is a good way to avoid results that will make for vexation and disappointment in your life.
~Balance in all things~.
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