IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP IN BALANCE?
A relationship can be considered a combination of Commitment, Intimacy and Passion. Think of these qualities as three sides of a triangle. Very few relationships make a perfect triangle, but if yours is way out of balance you may be feeling frustrated, angry, or resentful. Find the shortest side of your "love triangle", and focus on improving things in that area first. Use the definitions below as a guide.

COMMITMENT Commitment is how dedicated you are to keeping your relationship alive and healthy, or how true you are to your partner. Here are some synonyms: fidelity, responsibility, obligation, duty, seeing things through. Commitment in a relationship means that most obstacles can be overcome, and there is a willingness to be faithful even in bad times. On a scale of one (practically no commitment) to ten (A lot of commitment), how would you rate your level of commitment?

INTIMACY The closeness in a relationship, the things you share with your partner that nobody else knows, the secrets and the common experiences. Intimacy is much more than sexuality and physical closeness, it's how comfortable you are being with your partner. Can you express yourself openly without any fear of criticism? Do you know they are really listening when you are speaking? Can you be vulnerable without getting hurt? Intimacy in a relationship is what makes you friends and makes you feel each-other's presence is familiar and comfortable. On a scale of one (almost like strangers) to ten (extremely comfortable and close), how would you rate the level of intimacy in your relationship?

PASSION Passion is the energy in a relationship. The desire to rush home from work just to be with your partner. Passion is the immediacy, the lust, the eroticism, the romance, and the enthusiasm for being together and working things out quickly when there is a problem. On a scale of one (no passion, boring and routine) to ten (fiery and exciting), how would you rate the passion in your relationship?

Examine how your "Love Triangle" would look if each side were one of the qualities described above. Ideally, all three should be in balance. Here a few of many ways a relationship can be unbalanced.

COMMITMENT and INTIMACY without PASSION: This kind of relationship is not in danger of falling apart, but needs some creativity and motivation to ignite the spark it once had.

PASSION and COMMITMENT without INTIMACY: This is like a fatal attraction. Something drives these two partners to be with each-other, but the underlying disappointment is that they cannot seem to make the relationship any deeper, or get to know each-other's innermost thoughts, desires, and wishes.

PASSION and INTIMACY without COMMITMENT: This relationship feels like a one night stand. The attraction and fire is there, but there is frustration and insecurity about how long it will last.

Communication, by the way, can improve any side of the "Love Triangle."