Foundations of Relationships

Accept Them as They Are

by Rick Hanson | Mar 12, 2024 | Blog, Foundations of Relationships, Just One Thing

In what ways do you wish that people were different? See what it feels like to stop resisting what another person is like while also taking care of your own needs in the relationship. Acceptance is a gift that gives back.

Choose To Love

by Rick Hanson | Feb 13, 2024 | Blog, Foundations of Relationships, Just One Thing

Choose to love. Love is more about us being loving than about other people being lovable. In fact, choosing to love is twice loving: it’s a loving act to call up the intention to love, plus there is the love that follows.

Bless

by Rick Hanson | Oct 31, 2023 | Blog, Foundations of Relationships, Just One Thing

To blissful is to see what is tender and beautiful, and wish well. Look for good things in others. Know what the act and attitude of blessing feel like, and take in the experience to call upon it in the future.

Be Helpful

by Rick Hanson | Oct 10, 2023 | Blog, Foundations of Relationships, Interpersonal Skills, Just One Thing

Do not underestimate the impact of a small deed. We all know that the needs in this world are great. And so are the opportunities to make a big difference to the ones we touch.

Be at Peace with the Pain of Others

by Rick Hanson | Sep 19, 2023 | Blog, Foundations of Relationships, Just One Thing

Being at peace with others’ pain helps us be supportive of their pain.

Lived By Love

by Rick Hanson | Oct 18, 2022 | Blog, Foundations of Relationships, Just One Thing

Encourage love in all its forms to flow through you. Implicitly, and more fundamentally, this practice means a relaxed opening into the love – in a very very broad sense – that is the actual nature of everything.

See What’s Likable

by Rick Hanson | Aug 2, 2022 | Blog, Foundations of Relationships, Just One Thing

Liking feels good, and it encourages us to approach and engage the world. We’re wired to like some things, but our liking or disliking depends greatly on what we pay attention to and our own perspective.

Be Benevolent

by Rick Hanson | Jul 12, 2022 | Blog, Foundations of Relationships, Just One Thing

Liking feels good, it encourages us to approach and engage the world. Know what benevolence feels like in your body, heart, and mind, and realize that it is natural and normal. Appreciate some of the benevolence that buoys you along. Most people are fair-minded, empathic, cooperative, compassionate, and kind: in a word, benevolent.