ABSTRACT
If life is good, most likely our significant relationships are working fairly well. With the people close to us, we can feel known, understood, and loved, and we know that others count on our support and love, too. When there are problems, we can talk about them. When we’re hurt, it’s safe to be angry. In fact, we can speak about and hear all kinds of feelings
in these closer relationships of ours. With this kind of security with others, we feel secure and balanced within ourselves. Disappointments get us down, but we’re able to bounce back. Losses hurt, but we’re able to share the hurt and let others help us grieve. We can accept our failings and mistakes, and we’ve learned that laughing at ourselves can help. On the whole, we like ourselves pretty well.
