Ep 21 - You go first

If you’re a human being - and I’m guessing you are - then you have lots of relationships. And while many might be healthy, enjoyable and good chances are there are one or two that have some kind of stress, or are not as good as you’d like. Maybe, there is one that has just broken and you’d still like to see it mended.

In this episode, I talk about how important relationships with my birth mother and my Dad went through a cold or even non-existent phase, but both are now wonderfully warm, engaging and loving.

It doesn’t always work out like that, but I discuss some principles of approach that will give it the best chance of success. Ones you can try too.

This can apply to relationships with your spouse, ex, parent, child or friend.

Duration: 11mins 52s

Key points

• Strong relationships are essential for life satisfaction, but naturally change over time
• Broken family bonds create loneliness — reconciliation is worth the effort
• Take the first step — make the call, offer forgiveness, start the process
• Set realistic expectations — healing takes time and initial attempts may falter
• Consider their perspective — they might feel nervous about reconnecting too
• Keep early conversations light — avoid difficult questions and build comfort gradually
• Even partial reconnections can become meaningful and enhance your life
• If first attempts fail, try again or accept the outcome with grace
• Personal stories show that patience can repair even deeply fractured family relationships
• The potential reward of restored connection outweighs the risk of rejection.

Worth repeating

"Sometimes, the very attempt can soften a hardened heart in ways you'd least expect."

Supporter shout-out 🤩

Thank you so much to Sangeeta Chandran from Mumbai, India who told me recently, “Have been meaning to write and tell you how much I enjoy your podcasts. Very nice, simple useful messages. Glad we have this ongoing exchange.” Sangeeta is a fellow philosophical soul and writes very insightful thoughts herself in a weekly email called OneforWithin. Search for #oneforwithin and you’ll find her.

Thanks for listening! See you again soon.

Rob

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