Relating to Others and Ourselves
Reflecting on the dimension ‘Relating’
Relating in the IDG framework includes caring for others and the world, appreciation, connectedness, humility, empathy and compassion and forgiveness.
I find that relating, ties in with relationship, which also touches on the relationship we have with ourselves. Often times, the relationship we have with ourselves, reflects in how we relate to those around us. I find that personally, when I am more patient, compassionate and kind to myself, I find it a lot easier, to be that way with others, it comes more naturally. The more I understand about myself and my own complexities, the more I have room to understand and hold space for other people’s complexities. I am thinking of two quotes here, one quote is ‘People can only meet you as deeply as they have met themselves’, and often times I find this to be true. The work we do in our inner world, reflects how much we can relate to or understand another person.
The other quote is by Carl Jung, when he says that ‘Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darkness of other people’. I find this to also be true, when we can face our own inner turmoil with honesty, the parts we do not like, like when we feel jealous, or envious, or when we feel angry or bitter, when we can explore it with curiosity, and remove shame, and bring in compassion and understanding, we can see the hidden feelings underneath and create room for them to be. Often times jealousy may reflect what we want for ourselves but feel unable to get, or anger and bitterness can show us our limits and where we are over-giving or overextending. It is all information about ourselves and when we can face that, we can have a lot more understanding and grace for other people struggling, we can see the root and not shame them but instead encourage reflection, compassion and understanding oneself. We can have greater empathy.
How does the way you relate to yourself influence how you show up in your relationships with others? What helps you understand other people better?
What helps me understand others is reaching out and understanding others and applying this to my own past situations.
Learning from my own situations and others is how I grow spiritually and mentally.
@HeartyAlly
If we are insecure or unsure of ourselves and don't create boundaries, then we allow people to step over us and not give us the respect that we deserve and require.
If you don't set standards for yourself then you allow others to dictate it 🥰
@HeartyAlly Very interesting post!! To understand others I love asking about their past, the hardships everyone has gone through, their passions, what drives them to live, what do they love, ... I feel like we would all get along better and we would be more empathic if we would sit and jsut listen to understand why anyone acts the way they do
@HeartyAlly I found it very enjoyable reading your post. It is true that our connection with ourselves usually determines how we connect with other people. The moment I'm compassionate and empathic towards myself, then it becomes easier for me to be compassionate and empathic with other people.
