[Eoscstudents] February is Healthy Relationship Awareness

[Levenia Carey]

Hello Everyone:

February marks the beginning of Healthy Relationship Awareness Month.  
As most begin to turn their focus toward Valentines day, romance is in 
the air, which makes it a good time to take a look at our relationships 
and make sure that they are healthy ones.

Healthy relationships are characterized by trust, respect and the 
ability to share with one another.  Relationships are based on the 
foundation of both partners being equal and that power/control (if any) 
be equally shared.  Some of the characteristics of a healthy 
relationship are:

Trust and support - do you support one another and each others quest for 
dreams and goals in life?  Are you respecting of your partner's right to 
his/her own feelings, opinions, friends, interests, etc.?  Trust and 
support mean that you value your partner as an individual.

Respect - this is key.  Do you listen to your partner, value their 
opinion and listen in a non-judgmental manner.  Respect also involves 
making an effort to understand and affirm the other's emotions.

Honesty and accountability - communicating openly and truthfully.  Do 
you admit your mistakes ad accept responsibility for your own actions?  
Do you acknowledge past use of violence?

These are three of the characteristics of a healthy relationship.  
Tomorrow I will present more.  This month with our focus on Healthy 
relationships, we will be having several activities that allow you to 
examine your own relationships or the quest for a relationship.  What do 
you desire in a mate?  Have you found it?  If you are not sure what you 
desire in a relationship or what you deserve, watch for flyers around 
campus, under dormitory doors and let us help you.

To love, romance and fairy tale endings.....you have to kiss a lot of 
frogs and frogettes (is that a word) before you find the right person, 
but it is worth the journey. 

Levenia
465-1757