4. Compromise

Compromising is one of the most difficult pieces of life.
Understanding that although your position is well-meaning and important--the other person's is also.
It requires seeing beyond the self and looking into their soul in order to comprehend.

Compromise is taught at such a young age because it is a lesson we never fully embrace.
It is difficult to understand how much something means to another, but this is valuable.
It is a way of stepping back, looking at a situation through a holistic manner and sharing.
Sharing the space, the time, the person, the idea.
It is a way of coming together and making something different than what either had originally intended.

Compromise shows love.
I know that often I will not compromise for those I do not care about.
It is a mark of affection and compassion to share and to give another person's perspective the same weight as your own.
It is also important for each party to understand what sacrifice has been made for the other.
No one wins completely and that is the beauty of the conundrum.
It leaves both marginally unsatisfied, yet hypocritically happy that they were able to provide for the one they love--able to come to a conclusion that both can tolerate and accept as being true while still knowing that it was not ideal for either.

These moments are the ones that make or break relationships.
If one person digs in too hard it leaves the second feeling trapped in a place they never meant to be.
Or if understanding is reached and a consensus can be formed then love is given a chance.
The power of laying down personal desires to provide for another is immeasurable.
This dance should not be taken lightly, it should be appreciated for the full weight that it carries and embraced as being challenging yet conquerable.

Only the strongest friendships can accomplish this, only the closest lovers can see from the other's eyes (or at least try to) and can feel their side too.
These are the relationships that last, the ones that matter, the ones who leave an impression on the heart forever.
These are the friendships which prosper through the years because the love and the ability to cooperate is there.

Even if the initial confrontation requires a step back and a few tears--it is worth it, because in the end you know that you were meant to last.