Levels

There are levels to education, stairs, abilities and even relationships. Yep, relationships. I was so tired after my workout a few days ago. Remind you I live on the third floor at my apartment complex. My body was saying, "that is too far and difficult for this sore body. I wish I had super man to come wisk me away up the stairs," but reality sat in quick. I had to go up each level but I made it gracefully. Sometimes we wisk away with adventureous relationships with a so called "super man" and not experiencing the levels of the relationship as it builds.There are several levels to building relationships. Relationships develop in stages beginning as strangers, acquaintances, casual friends, and then intimate/romantic friends.

We live in a fast pace world and we desire instant relationships with our own expectations that are sometimes fairy tale or media driven. Could you imagine skipping all the steps and going to the top of the stairs? Is it realistic? Could you have success without steps or a plan? In relationships with people how can you go to the next level skipping steps/levels? You and your pal would simply loose all the experiences for growth along the way. Sometimes I have had guys coming trying to Wow me and I really never knew who they were as a friend because they were spending so much time trying to impress me. I wonder if they were ever themselves. We never know how much pressure that is on another human being to please someone else all the time. I see why they Wow you and then have expectations of something romantic afterwards. Going through the levels allows each other to be more authentic and genuine. You see the good and bad naturally. You can be yourself. If you know what level you are on you and the other person knows their boundaries things work smoother with less frustration. This goes for same sex relationships as well. You learn to respect each other. This also prevents us from having unrealistic expectaions as to thinking everyone owes us something. Know the level of the relationship. If you want to do something kind from your heart do NOT do it and expect each time that you should get something back. Remeber the post about not having expectations?

It is important that we have a deep knowing of who we are as individuals when we enter relationships. Our individuality should be fulfilled so that we are not seeking self fulfillment from others. We are greatly responsible for ourselves and personal happiness. Happiness from others can depleat when they become obligated elsewhere or are no longer in our lives to complete what is missing. Others may be assigned temporarily to a part of our jouney or to take steps with us but not necessarily to unload our load on them. I believe both parties can do that forgetting that each person has their own lives and not responsible for the other completely. However, the support of others depending on their level is more than beautiful and comforting.

This week I was speaking to a friend who mentioned that she has not had very many to step out of their way to help in the way I did and it was no biggie for me. She was having car trouble so I volunteered to go where she was and when I got there I gave her car a jump off. She said she was not versed with doing that type of thing and key words did not expect me to do that for her. That is what friends do and we should be appreciative when others support us in ways we cannot within reason. She did not ask me to buy her a car, lone my car or even rent her a car. She is not my spouse lol. We respected the level of friendship we cherish. Same for me even when I have male friends. I do not get sour because they have not been how I think they should be or given me what I want. Again, I am responsible for my own life and happiness. I know who I serve in my faith and he has never let me down and I know he will not.

Levels of relationships are important so Google the five levels of relationships to get a deeper understanding in your time. You will gravitate a whole new meaning to relationships and where you may fall in the lives of others. It is healthy to know we should not expect that we have the social media relationships but meaningful, authentic ones we can cherish as we climb the levels with others in our lives.

Love you