When the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, you have synergy.
One excellent example of a synergistic relationship is that of water. All that is and could ever come from hydrogen alone, or oxygen on its own, pales in comparison to the myriad wonders of water, and all its mystifying properties.
Relationships are POWERFUL
The richness of experiences that arise from two people interacting is pretty synergistic, too – let alone the things that they can collaborate to create together!
And the depth of love and growth that is made possible by a developing relationship is a most remarkable synergy to behold.
There are three main features of this phenomenon.
Relationships are infinitely reflective.
Our relationships with others continually reflect the relationship we have with ourselves. And our romantic relationships are especially good at revealing some of our darkest corners!
It’s amazing how much we’ll accuse each other of that we are perfectly guilty of ourselves, in some other way. Recognizing this is humbling for ourselves and humanizing of our partner. It makes way for empathy.
How we perceive our partner – how we interpret their behavior, their motivations, their intent – speaks volumes on how we perceive ourselves. And how we view the relationship itself points to how we see our place in the world.
We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are.
The same can be gleaned of our partner’s perceptions.
Lasting relationships require courageous vulnerability.
There are such minefields of insecurities that arise within a relationship, and when our defenses get triggered, we can lash out or close up.
So how can we really be in relationship, if we’re not fully present? When we’re so busy defending our “goodness” (read: ego), we lose the connection that is the very essence of Relationship.
When we are able to find security within ourselves, and stay present and open to our own experience, as well as our partner’s experience, we create the space for real intimacy to occur.
The best relationships are magnificently complementary.
But it takes differences to make complements. And with differences can also come clashes. We cannot have the possibility of one without the possibility of the other.
It takes differences to have diversity, variety, beauty… It takes differences to create SYNERGY!
Our similarities unite us, and our differences strengthen and enhance us – both individually and collectively.
As much as we’re often compelled to want our partner to be more like us, when we are able to embrace their unique perspective and contribution, so much magic happens.
This is a gateway to Unconditional Love – and that, my dear, is what it’s all about.
(Updated March 19, 2021)