Jun 10
17
Interdependent Relationships
Relationship interdependence is about making connections and becoming allies or forming partnerships with other human beings. Relationships are inherently interdependent. Of course, they have value, per se, in the emotional realm. Above all, friendship is good for its own sake! But relationships also involve being there for each other in times of need. An indication of the importance of interdependence is the endurance for 24 centuries of the quotation, “A friend in need is a friend indeed,” from Quintus Ennius, 3rd Century B.C.! This important quote is subject to several interpretations, all of which are desirable.
There are times when interdependence clearly beats independence, and thankfully, relationships are strengthened as a byproduct. For example, when I sprained my foot and could hardly walk on it. I was in pain with no cane–kind of like being “up the creek” with no paddle! My loving wife brought me a basin of Epsom salt to reduce the swelling, together with ActivOn topical analgesic, and a beer.
“In his game-changing book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey said, “The reality is that we are interdependent, and the independent model is not optimal for use in an interdependent environment that requires leaders and team players.” Mahatma Ghandi said, “Man is a social being. Interdependence is and ought to be as much the ideal of man as self-sufficiency.”
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