It was Woody Allen who said a relationship is like a shark; it must keep moving forward or it dies. I think this is true with one important difference. A relationship can live dead for a long time. Many people decide to stay in relationships that are stagnant or destructive. They have their reasons. Usually, their primary reason is fear, whether they know it or not. And fear is paralyzing. Moving through fear takes courage, a willingness to face the consequences, whatever they turn out to be.

In the final analysis, it’s a choice we make, consciously or not. Even refusing to choose, retaining the status quo, is a choice. Sometimes the options don’t seem very appealing. Life might be even more difficult without the relationship. Why jump from the frying pan into the fire? And then there’s the fear of loneliness. Even lousy company can be better than no company. And who’s to say someone better will come along? And, for those of us who can’t tell bad love from good, at least we have someone to love us, if you can call it that. For those who are willing to take the leap, though, and risk aloneness, how do you know when to give up?

I think that depends on how much the relationship is worth to you and what you’re willing to go through trying to save it. I maintain that there’s always something you can do to improve a relationship–if you can find out what that is and if you’re willing to do it. But you may not be able, without cooperation, to improve it enough to make it worthwhile to you. If you’re the only one growing in your relationship it can be boring, if not frustrating. If your partner wants the relationship enough to join you in trying to fix it, there’s no limit to your potential for satisfaction. But you both must be willing to grow.

And growth is often painful. Perhaps that’s why you haven’t done enough of it yet. Another reason might be that you didn’t know it’s necessary. Well, it is if you want to change. Even small changes can help a lot in increasing the liveability of your relationship. Assistance in this project is readily available from marital therapists and in book stores. Trouble is, many wait until it’s too late before consulting a therapist. By that time, maybe the love is gone and you just don’t care enough anymore to give it your best shot. Man/woman love is pretty fragile and, once damaged, can defy repair.

Also, although the information you need is readily available in your local bookstore, many people won’t study it hard enough to make any difference. This takes some concentration. If your partner resists your best efforts, you may be beating a dead horse and, you know, a dead horse just won’t pull. You will have to decide if it’s worth it to continue or whether you’d be better off alone.

Dr. Hugh R. Leavell is a Marriage and Family Therapist in northern Palm Beach County, FL. He is available for sessions in person, by phone or online. Check his website at http://DrHughLeavell.com, email him at DrHughLeavell@gmail.com, or call 561-471-0067.

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