The Secret to Strong Relationships

Greetings friends! I believe you are fine today. Many relationships have been weakened and many relationships ended as a result of common mistakes. This contest is here to address issues surrounding relationships. I appreciate @ruthjoe for organising this contest, and below are my responses to the questions raised.

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What do you believe is the number one secret to a strong relationship?

For me, I believe that TRUST is the number one secret to a strong relationship. Trust in the first place is having confidence in the ability or reliability of someone or something, and a relationship, on the other hand, is how two or more people regard each other.
Trust is a catalyst for a strong relationship because where there is trust in a relationship, there is always:

• Openness: The parties will have no secrets to hide. They will not conceal anything; they will be frank with each other because they believe in the reliability of each other.
• Faithfulness: Trust in a relationship makes one remain loyal and steadfast, not wanting to disappoint, regardless of the challenge faced.
• Conflict management: When there is trust, conflicts or misunderstandings are easily resolved. Partners have the tendency to listen to one another and then iron out their differences without hurting each other.
• Security: With trust, we feel secure because it helps us predict a comfortable environment for ourselves and also helps in reducing anxiety.

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What role does active listening play in building stronger connections?

Active listening is the ability of the listener to pay close attention to the speaker, understand the message and be able to give desired feedback. The role of active listening in building stronger connections is:

• It enhances communication: Active listening makes the speaker feel more connected with the listener because the listener always shows interest and eagerness to understand what the speaker is saying through eye contact, body gestures, and asking relevant questions. As such, the speaker feels free to communicate more.
• It discourages solitude: Active listening makes parties feel together and discourages the feeling of loneliness.
• It helps parties to share the feelings, experiences and emotions of each other.
• It helps us to gain knowledge and wisdom from the speaker.

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Can a relationship survive without forgiveness? Why or why not?

Forgiveness is the willingness to let go of offences, anger and wrongs committed by a fellow or group of persons whether they deserve it or not. I want to categorically say that a healthy relationship cannot survive without forgiveness and my reasons are as follows:

• Healing: Forgiveness is a powerful tool for healing. It can heal a wounded and broken heart, and its absence will add more pain, sorrow, and eventually end the relationship.
• Rekindle Trust: Forgiveness rekindles the power of trust that was lost as a result of the misunderstanding or offence committed.
• Restore Joy & Happiness: Forgiveness restores the joy and happiness that were lost due to the offence committed.
• Empathy: Forgiveness shows that we share another person's feelings, emotions, experiences and are ready to hold the relationship henceforward with regard.

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What’s a common mistake people make in relationships that weakens them over time?

Some common mistakes people make in relationships that weaken them are:

• Lies: When a partner of both of them keeps lying or lives a pretentious life, their relationship gets weakened the very moment the truth is revealed.
• Secretive lifestyle: When a party keeps a secret and is later discovered, it weakens the relationship.
• Neglecting responsibility. Carrying out responsibility is a key to strengthening relationships, and where there is negligence in discharging duties, it weakens the relationship.
• Poor or lack of communication: Failure to communicate effectively, honestly and openly creates a very big gap in a relationship.
• Lack of trust: Trust is the foundation for true and healthy relationships, and once that is missing, it becomes difficult to feel secure in the relationship.

Conclution
We all need each other to survive. Therefore, let us value our relationships and take note of the elements that can promote healthy relationships as well as the elements that can destroy relationships.

Invitation
I invite @chant, @simonnwigwe, @vickyson, and @kouba01 to join me in the contest.

CC
@ruthjoe

Thank You All