Often early on in new relationships the other person will treat you well. The person may compliment you, shower you with gifts, or be extremely considerate. The key to a person’s behavior, however, is to pay attention to how that person treats themselves and the world around them. Observe the person’s behaviors or attitudes because most often people will eventually treat you as they treat themselves.
Is the person scattered or focused? —responsible or reckless? —inflexible or tolerant? —generous or selfish? —self-respectful or disdaining? —self-confident or arrogant? Or loving and kind to himself/herself?
The idea is that you can only truly love another person as much as you are able to love yourself. Be sure that the person loves and respects themselves and the world around them before entrusting that person with your heart. And you, too, must love yourself fully before you can love another.
On our soulful journeys, we are given many opportunities for partnership. It is through connection and vulnerability that we are able to experience real growth.