Are happy times the validation criteria for relationships?

“Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.” 

― Alexander Pope

A very practical approach to life, perhaps a perfect attitude to stay happy and content! But the irony is that owing to the basic human nature we do have some expectation from others, at least from those who we trust are close to us – our spouse, kids, parents, siblings & also relatives to an extent.

Be it any relationship, its actual depth is tested in bad times when person at one end is in need of a supporting hand. To have someone standing by your side at a time of need is the greatest blessing. Their presence alone gives you strength to get through any situation. But usually, most of the relationships fail to pass through this test. In the time of need, when their presence is most expected and desired, they turn back as if they were never there and you are left all alone to tackle with your circumstances. There is no dearth of excuses for not being able to stand by, by the ultimate truth is that they have failed in the relationship test they were put forth to.

One relationship that stands by unconditionally in all times is that of a husband and a wife – standing by each other all through the happiest or the toughest days of life. Be it struggling through the job, your finances, your health or anything else, its just the two who are there to support each other, all other people who form your so called family suddenly tend to disappear, probably due to a fear that they might be expected to help on financial front. Though the fact is that in most of such troublesome situations, moral & emotional support is much more important than anything else, and that support can give you enough strength to get out of any unpleasant situation. Still others just enjoy playing their role as spectators or critics trying to give their expert opinion on your situation without actually getting into it and feeling the pain you are going through.

Rightly said - “People don’t always need advice. Sometimes all they really need is a hand to hold, an ear to listen, and a heart to understand them”