Just as God saw fit to create Eve for Adam in the Garden of Eden, so was Jesus giving us a significant piece of revelation when he started sending the apostles out two-by-two instead of by themselves. In good and bad times, you will need others to talk with, vent with, share with, and learn from one another. Healthy relationships are your backbone in life and key to your spiritual growth. Brian Weiss says: "It is through relationships that we learn to express and receive love, to forgive, to help,and to serve". And it is the quality of your relationships that ultimately determines the quality of our lives.”
Find pleasure in giving instead of experiencing it like an obligation to fulfil.
To love and to be loved is a fundamental necessity of human beings. But love is not enough to create and maintain ahealthy relationship, nor is the thrill of the adrenaline rush that comes from attraction. That ends - often quickly - if not supported by reciprocated respect, trust, communication and emotional contribution.
While the basic idea behind unconditional love seems quite reasonable and may work for your children or your pet, romantic relationships thrive on reciprocity.
A game of give and take
Just try to imagine how it feels to be in a relationship with someone who wants you to meet their emotional needs but does not take yours into account; wants you to make time for them but does not make time for you. Or to commit to someone who does not want to commit to you. When your emotional investment is not reciprocated, it will hurt your self-esteem and create toxic patterns. Remaining in an unfulfilling relationship in the name of unconditional love is delusional, that is self-sacrifice, and that inevitably leads to resentment if accompanied by hard feelings or expectations.
Reciprocity cannot exits where one partner believes that they are superior or must be in control. This principle implies people to be equally invested in their relationship and a spirit of cooperation. Reciprocated love and emotional contribution are behavioral investments that sustain and strenghten a relationship, and you have to rely on your good judgement to find the right partner.
I have learned that it is as senseless as crossing Death valley on foot to hold on to someone's potential. To expect consideration and compassion to come from a place of selfishness. To put trust in a man whose word you cannot trust. To find love in a stingy or frozen heart. To build a meaningful bond with people lacking in common courtesy and intentional kindness. To invest in anyone who holds back from you.