It can be done with one simple mental exercise:
Just imagine your life without that person.
Maybe you picture them in the arms of another man or woman. Does it make you jealous or angry?
Or you dream up a world in which the two of you never even met. Does it make you sad?
If these scenarios induce feelings of jealousy, anger, or sadness, it's clear you care deeply for the person in question. If they don't, it raises serious questions about how invested you are emotionally.
Between work, kids, chores, and other items on our interminably long To Do Lists, some of us may take our partner for granted without even realizing it.
As a result, he or she may feel as if their needs aren't being met and their voice isn't being heard. The longer this goes on, the more likely the person is to become fed up and walk -- that is, unless both people have a serious heart-to-heart.
Studies show that the feeling of losing is far more powerful to us than the feeling of gaining.
It stems in part from the fact that people hold an intense desire for that which they can't have or may not be able to keep.
There's always an adrenaline rush that accompanies having something new in your life, but over time, that novelty wears off and you grow accustomed to it, whether it's your car, watch, or, yes, your relationship.
That's why it's important every now and then to imagine scenarios that would never want to come to fruition.
What if someone close to you passes away, moves to another state, or walks out of the relationship because they feel they're being brushed aside?
Taking someone for granted is a surefire recipe for disaster, much like selfishness and infidelity.
Chances are someone has done it to you, and the pain can at times feel unbearable.
We can never assume that, no matter what little attention we pay someone. they will always stay. Once the person has had enough, they will move on to someone whom they feel values their presence.
A relationship can only survive if both people are committed to meeting one another's needs. And only by maintaining the lines of communication open can that be attained.
In sum, it doesn't hurt to imagine not having your partner in your life. If they truly mean a lot to you, such thoughts might prompt you to hug them and express how grateful you are for the myriad ways they enrich your life.
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