The real reason people challenge us

Lately my mind has been focusing a lot on relationships. I’ve been thinking about romantic relationships, friendships, acquaintances and everything else in between, both past and present. We meet so many people in our lives and have so many interactions with them, it can be hard to keep track of everything and the impact they have on you. In every relationship we have there’s something for us to learn from and experience. Every person comes into our lives for a reason. One thing I’ve always struggled with is balancing their needs with my own and finding the lesson in each relationship. There have been so many times where I’ve been so wrapped up in thinking about the other person, I’ve completely lost sight of what I need and want too. Like a lot of others, I’m a people pleaser. I want to be the thoughtful person surprising them with their favourite meal, planning a fun day somewhere and trying to stay one step ahead of them to make their life easier. (This applies to friends and romantic partners too). Being generous and kind-hearted are qualities I admire, so they’re something I aspire toward. But in the long-run I found I was (...)