No, you're not in trouble. :P

I've just been thinking some, lately, of the nature of relationships. And, really, in the end, it isn't all that difficult to keep them going, so long as both sides are 100% adamant in keeping three simple things running. And they're pretty basic.

Trust, Compromise, Communication.

This isn't just something I've come up with on my own. A psychology major friend of mine concurred with me completely.
It's really simple, to be honest. As long as you trust the other person, come to meaningful compromises with them to reach middle ground on conflicts that can't be solved any other way, and communicate with them about everything, everything will be alright. That means no chasing them about without them knowing, or spying on them. If you can't come to an agreement, you may have to give up a thing or two to stay happy--this is how relationships work. One of the most important things, in my opinion, though, is communication.

Communication is the BACKBONE of our society. Of EVERYTHING that makes us what we are. Communication is the basis around which all of our technology and government was founded. So why is it so difficult for people to understand that running from your problems and curling up in a pitiful little ball when you SHOULD be working things out and stonewalling those you love IS NOT the solution? Don't go to bed angry--stay up and shout. Go to bed when you can't shout anymore. Think about it this way: is it really that much worse to suffer a few minutes of unpleasantness to get past your issues? Or would you rather spend a week or more simmering in it, whether it's justified or not, and risk losing what you hold most dear?

Trust is an odd bird, itself. Trust does not necessarily mean never telling a lie. Lies will be told--these are mistakes as long as the liar admits them to be. And people make mistakes. Trust is about believing the sincerity of the apology after a lie is told. Trust is the smile that you give someone when they promise you something. Trust is believing in someone even when they're in the worst of ways.

Compromise is very complicated, as well. Occasionally there will be issues that both people can't agree upon. So what can be done? Compromise. Both sides come to a partial solution to meet in the middle--they give up some but not all of what they don't want to give up in place of having to give it up completely.

I'm not trying to point fingers at anyone from my past, and I'm not trying to yell at anyone who is now or will at sometime down the road be angry at me for some reason. Just don't lose faith in the people you love. Talk to them. Love them enough to let things go. And everything will turn out right.

Don't throw everything away because you were too weak to hold up under the pressure.