Lack of relationship can cause loneliness and this can lead to depression. Depending on the nature of depression, it can lead to death. Connecting with people counts. Connecting with others may be the most important thing you do in life. Relationships really matter. In fact, many people feel there is nothing more important in the world than their close relationships. Human beings are biologically programmed to form close bonds. Connections to others satisfy a basic human need for us to be close to and supported by others. We are happier, healthier and even live longer when we have strong close relationships in our lives. And relationships with our romantic partners are a primary source of the close bonds we need to thrive.

It's the quality of our bonds that matter. Not all close relationships satisfy our needs for connection.  Human bonds can be unhealthy,  the ties that bind can be constricting, hurtful, even abusive.  Or there can simply be a “dis-connect” -- two people living together, but alone, indifferent and not genuinely connected to one another. Many marriages fail and break-down because of disconnection. Colleagues thrive well and support each other when they’re connected.

Being in an unhealthy relationship can be unhealthy for you.  It can hurt your physical health. People in stressful and unhappy relationships get sick more often, and take longer to recover from illnesses and injuries.  It can hurt your psychological well-being. People in unhealthy relationships are more likely to be sad or depressed, may have more difficulty concentrating, may be more anxious and moody, and may have more difficulty dealing with other stressors that exist in their lives. On the other hand, being in a happy and stable relationship is associated with lower levels of depression and higher levels of overall life satisfaction. Healthy relationships help people cope successfully with external stressors.  

A high quality, solid gold, relationships can have long-lasting and cumulative positive effects on your physical, emotional and mental health.   A good relationship does not compromise your personal growth or autonomy,  indeed a good relationship is good for your Self.   It’s a win-win.

Growing up as a teenager, my dad always reminds me that a good relationship is more valuable than silver and gold. Today we live in a period where poverty has gone to another level and people pay more attention to money than relationships. What is the most important thing people need? No, it’s not money. It’s not achievements nor recognition either. The most important thing people need is love. We all need to love and be loved. Unfortunately, sometimes we are so obsessed with other things that we forget how beautiful it is to love and be loved. Don’t let this happen to you. Love others and be loved. Feel how wonderful it is. Get a taste of love. And how do you do that? Through relationships. This is the only way. There is no other way you can love and be loved but through relationships.

A relationship is all about giving. When you give, you will receive in good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over. I believe that there is no genuine relationship without giving. Whether it is giving your time, attention, money, or just a smile, genuine relationship is all about giving. And believe it or not, there is great joy in giving. We often think only about ourselves that we forget the joy of giving. Life is wonderful when we are thinking about others and not just ourselves. Many people find it very difficult to relate to others because they don’t love sharing. They are selfish, they end up becoming loners because of their greed and selfishness.

How can you impact and influence people positively if you don’t relate with them? We appreciate the people we love more than anyone else. Their words sink deep into our hearts, not just our mind. That’s why the most effective way to give lasting impact to others is by building relationships with them. Be their friend and care about them, and I’m sure they will listen to you and respect your opinions. Couples that don’t listen to each other have that same issue of connecting with each others. This is the same with friends and colleagues.

We are told that if you want friends you need to show yourself friendly. When you don’t have friends, sometimes it becomes very difficult to deal with challenges. Through relationships you have the people to support you in times of trouble. When we face difficult times, we need other people to support us. No one can take care of everything by themselves. When the world looks dark and the problem looks big, nothing is more valuable than the support of people we love. They encourage us to go through, they accompany us in the time of trouble, and they are willing to share the burden with us. The journey will become much easier.

In a matter of life and death most people at this stage don’t think about their achievements and awards. They don’t care whether they are rich or famous. All those things become meaningless when people are face-to-face with death. All they want is having the people they love around them. They want the warm of love to be with them in their last moments. Nothing else matters. They realise that, eventually, relationships are the only things that matter. We should not wait until that moment comes. You need to start building relationship now.

The most important property of humankind is the capacity to form and maintain relationships. These relationships are absolutely necessary for any of us to survive, learn, work, love and procreate. Human relationships take many forms, but the most intense, most pleasurable and most painful are those relationships with family, friends and loved ones. There is a power of relationship that helps us get in touch with our soul. In the process of sacred relationship, people face their angels and demons, and love is the rock that helps people overcome their fear of reconnecting with their souls. Love is the driving force that helps one to face their stuff. This includes one’s family patterns, group patterns, and fears of intimacy. Love is our power and pathway to reconnect to one’s soul.

To build a lasting relationship you need to practice active listening. You need to be able to communicate effectively. Communication is not about blame, it is about responsibility. Your relationship should be based on mutual respect and love, not fear. A soft voice reflects the love, compassion and understanding that is missing from yelling. Building lasting relationship is all about respect. Prevent saying nasty things and getting caught up in anger. Discuss issues upfront instead of letting them grow in size.

“No road is long with good company.”— Turkish Proverb