relationships (not just romantic ones)

[trinbellwoods]

I really need to have a good discussion with someone about the meaning of relationships. Things like, what do you get out of it, what does the other person get out of it, etc. I am feeling very confused and contemplative at the moment.

Comments

[steve_kielback]

Well personally, for me, it's all about the financial gains.

Really though... hmmmmm. I dunno, when I start thinking "What the hell do I GET out of being friends with this person anyway" it's probably a good time to stop being friends with them.

But then I try not to apply utilitarian philosophies to my relationships you crazy girl. Mainly I just dig companionship.

[scriabin]

If I had to choose a non-corny word that defines the meaning of relationships for me, it's 'sharing'. Sharing an experience, or an emotion, or a problem, or a brainstorm, or anything at all - the act of sharing it with someone gives it new meaning and makes it more real, somehow. All of the perquisites of a serious relationship - trust, pleasure, vulnerability, compromise, learning about oneself - they all come from the simple fact that everything you do is suddenly twice as rich.

[hystericalrealm]

I think relationships are about growing and learning and sharing with that person. Jacob's comment is well stated and very true. When I think about sharing something with somebody, then that to me shows that I care about that person and hope to show them something that is not only of interest to me, but potentially of interest to them. I think a relationship is secondly about learning (through sharing). And I'm talking about the whole spectrum of knowledge... from little, trivial facts to great lessons in life. And knowledge is gained through sharing... from sharing a fact to sharing an experience that teaches everybody something. Then from the learning, the growing will naturally occur. Not only do you grow to know the other person, but you grow to know yourself. I think this is true of all relationships, between any two people, whether it be for good or bad in the end.