A Relationship Manifesto

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I, Michelle, am willing to change my patterns in romantic relationships. I commit to seeing my partner as equal to everything and everyone else I love in my life. I promise not to make an idol of him, and to honor him for his inner greatness rather than his frame. I forgive myself and him for my ego’s illusions. From this day forward, I commit to t

Gabrielle Bernstein • Add More Ing to Your Life: A Hip Guide to Happiness

A commitment is a promise made from love. A commitment is a promise made without expecting any return (though there will be returns aplenty). A committed relationship is a two-way promise. It is you throwing yourself wholeheartedly for another and another throwing himself wholeheartedly for you.

David Brooks • The Relationalist Manifesto

It Must Be About the Future. You don’t want to set an intention to try to go back to being friends the way you were before you were lovers, or to finally get to the bottom of all your unresolved and unsolvable problems. Rather, you want to generate a new possibility for how your relationship might unfold from here. For example:

Katherine Woodward Thomas • Conscious Uncoupling: 5 Steps to Living Happily Even After

I’m always thinking about that Raúl Zurita quote that people put on Tumblr: Toda declaración de amor es urgente porque vamos a morir [every declaration of love is urgent because we’re going to die]. In real life, obviously, you cannot declare love to just anyone. You have to go with the flow, wait on other people’s time, accept their ambivalence, t... See more