A difference between like and love

I love this quote, (though it is probably not by the Buddha as I originally thought!)

Every relationship we have with another person in our life is like a flowering plant. If the relationship is strong, the plant grows strong and offers lots of flowers to both of us.

We can usually tell the value of a relationship by the reciprocation of time, love and energy.

At different times, everyone needs a helping hand; at other times, we are capable of giving a helping hand.

When we care about one another, we step up for each other, taking and giving from each other and making each of us stronger.

When we don’t value each other, the relationship changes. It centers on what we can get out of it. We take and take and only give back enough to keep the relationship alive. If one person is plucking all the flowers the plant is weakened.

Have you ever been aware of a relationship being out of balance?

Perhaps the other person is coming across as needy and you’re feeling used?

Or perhaps you’re having twinges of guilt over asking for too much?

 

So…

I suggest that you don’t water the plant unless you’re both picking flowers. Don’t pour your time and energy into a relationship where the other person is only taking. Know when it is time to draw a line and either create balance or move on.

Life is too short to not choose what will feed your soul!

Save your time and energy for the relationships where you are both getting value from it.

 

 

Have you experienced out-of-balance relationships that you chose to change for the better?