Relationships, Cultures and You...

January 2012

There have been, and will always be different opinions regarding "how and what" a relationship should entail. I have been to a few relationship forums, and have found them to be useful in finding out the views of both women and men.

What those forums did not include is relationships from a cultural prospective. We all think that our way of living is the correct way. Come on now, really we all do-culturally speaking anyway. The Oriental culture thinks other cultures are not strict enough on the kids. The Middle-Eastern culture thinks other cultures lack depth. The South Asian culture thinks that everything they do is correct. The American culture thinks everything everyone does is incorrect.

I think all cultures have a lot to offer. There are also a lot of traditions in all cultures that can be looked upon as not so beneficial to the masses. We all have changes to make in our lifestyles as a culture, and as individuals.

Think about stereotypes. While they do have some truth to them, they are mindsets of a particular mass of people, not an individual. How many wonderful embellishments (learning a new language, a new food, a new clothing type, a new activity-a new friend) to your life could be added, and improved if you didn’t automatically place a stereotype on a person that you see, or meet.

I look at my own mentality, my own self- awareness and I love being so open minded about people and cultures. But I also know that there are a lot of areas, in my outlook, attitude and my approach, that could use an overhaul. 

With that being said, I think I will take a month long challenge to try to improve on the qualities that I think are important for healthy relationships (any kind of relationship), and that always starts with self.

Actively looking at your thought process, and deciding to make a change, is the first step. Are you guys up for the challenge? What ideas do you have about your starting point?