There are many ways we can open opportunity to intimacy. One very commonly overlooked opportunity is forgiveness. Misunderstandings, unmet expectations and hurt feelings are unavoidable in long-term relationships. The key to unlocking the intimacy in these situations is how it is handled, and forgiveness.
Trust and forgiveness go hand in hand. However, how often do we feel hurt or wronged and bury forgiveness until it is forgotten and unused, only to let it decay the relationship like rust on an old car? How many times have you replayed a scenario in your head wishing for a time machine to go back and make a different decision?
Your partner should trust you without controlling you and vice versa. However, we are human and we make mistakes from time to time. Your partner should trust that they can be forgiven for mishaps big and small. Just as importantly, you should trust that you can forgive yourself. No one benefits from the blame game, whether its blaming someone else, or yourself. You remain stuck in the past, unable to move forward in your relationship. The bridge from hurt to intimacy and a better understanding of one another is forgiveness.
Forgiveness is not always easy and its okay to ask for help and understanding. Here are some easy to follow tips to follow on your road to forgiveness:
- Forgiveness can never be withheld as a tool to control another person. Using a mistake they have made in the past and using their shame to control them is never okay and will never lead to increased intimacy.
- Forgiveness is just as beneficial for you as it is for your partner. When you can let go and release them of their mistake the weight is lifted from you both. Each of you gets to relax and move forward having earned trust and deeper intimacy.
- Obstacles, mistakes, mountains…whatever you want to call them, makes a relationship stronger when they are overcome. You can’t bury a mountain and pretend it isn’t there. It must be climbed step by step! The final ascent before you get to journey down the mountain is forgiveness.
In life, we face many trials. Some much more difficult to manage by ourselves than others. Our counselors are ready and open to helping you on your path to forgiveness and intimacy either with your partner, yourself, a family member or friend.
Are you and your partner in need of a vacation? A vacation without kids or distractions? A vacation where you learn how to communicate and build genuine intimacy? Vacation Counseling is your next vacation. Accepting applications for Summer 2020