About Relationships

1. You will break each other’s hearts.  Many times.
2. Together, define “I,” “You,” and “We.”  Consult prior to acting on what affects “We.”  If in doubt, choose “We.”
3. Risk everything--even the destruction of the relationship--over and over again by asking everything, saying everything, sharing everything.  Practice being someone who can speak all; practice being someone who can hear all.
4. Cultivate the heart, mind, self-knowledge, and self-awareness of "I" in order to show up as your best self in "We."

If the thought of #1 evokes feelings of poignancy and bravery rather than fear, if the thought of #2 fills you with resolve rather than defiance, if #3 lifts you with an odd mix of excitement and trepidation rather than resistance, and #4 feels like a priority rather than "Yeah, yeah, I'll get to that later," you may well be paired with someone with whom you can share deepening knowledge of, and intimacy with, yourself, your other, even humanity as a whole, over a lifetime.

What's the worst that can happen if one doesn't risk all? 

A partially-lived and partially-loved life.