Article: Constructive communication can help if you have trouble maintaining a relationship with a close friend, lover, or family member. Follow these steps in order to repair that connection: This kind of communication consists of: Be proactive about repetitive disagreements. Recognize signs and triggers of a fight about to happen. Pause and re-orient yourself to being more aware of those old patterns of behavior. This will help you change your response and act more intentionally. Express yourself in a more compassionate, less confrontational way. Use "I" language rather than "you" language, such as "I'm upset by what you said," rather than, "You're being rude to me." Find ways to deal with your own emotions, such as practicing mindful breathing when you start to feel angry. You can do this by paying close attention to the sensation of your breath going in and out of your nostrils. It's not always easy to reach our highest aspirations in life. Use the technique of goal-setting to help you take things one step at a time. Here are some tips for how to set realistic and achievable goals: Set goals that can be measured. This will help you feel accomplished and keep your motivation up when you see progress. Set goals that are challenging but also realistic. Try to find a balance with goals that are challenging but not impossible. If they're too easy then you might get bored, and you won't grow as much. If they're too difficult then you may become frustrated and give up. Keep your goals flexible. It's good to have a routine, but if your goals are too rigid, failing to meet them can be discouraging. Know that it's okay to go back and revise your goals. Also, missing a goal now and then is better than burning yourself out. Self-expression and creativity are integral to living a good life with no regrets. This can show up in many different ways, from more traditional avenues, such as performing as a musician or artist, to less conventional paths, like being a social worker or computer programmer. Creative expression is not limited to the arts, but appears anywhere someone has discovered their passion. Here are some steps you can take: Experience things fully. Slow down and pay attention to what's going on around you. Let your own self emerge. Be cautious about external cues from people and the larger culture for what you should feel, think, and do. Be honest. Being honest with yourself and others will give your innermost self an opportunity to grow. It may seem like having more choices is always better than having fewer choices, but research shows that this is not actually the case. Having fewer choices means that once you make a decision, you don't worry as much about the path you neglected to take. On the other hand, if the decision is reversible and only one among many, there's a higher potential that you will reflect needlessly on your decision, taking energy away from other pursuits. For example, if you're looking at colleges to attend after high school, narrow your choices to a handful rather than applying to twenty different locations. Research shows that people are likely to regret buying things, whereas they're likely to regret not buying or pursuing experiences. Psychology shows that materialism, or the pursuit of "things," is not the key to happiness. Experiences create lasting memories, while "things" deteriorate and lose their shiny new appeal. For example, spend your money on a family vacation or a trip to Europe rather than a slightly bigger TV. One of the biggest obstacles to happiness is dwelling in the past. The practice of mindfulness is all about learning to appreciate and live in the present moment, because that's where life actually occurs. Learn to orient yourself toward the now: Practice mindful breathing for at least five minutes a day. Use a word or image to bring you back to the present. It can be a flower, the word "peace," or whatever works for you. Engage in mindful activities like yoga or going for a walk while paying close attention to your steps.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Repair broken relationships. Set goals. Develop your mode of expression. Keep your choices in check. Focus on experiences. Live in the present.