Cooperation: More Important Than Love?
Could cooperation, be the highest attainment that a couple could strive for in a romantic relationship?
In fact, love is often considered almost a synonym for relationship! And I too thought that to attain the state of love was the highest attainment in a couple.
I had never considered the ultimate importance of cooperation.
That is …. until I read Ken Keyes Jr’s A Conscious Person’s Guide To Relationships.
What New Could Keyes Possibly Add?
In this book, Keyes suggests that we ought to have lots of love for lots of people. That ideally we would be coming from a place of love in our interactions with people and the world.
I know, kind of sounded “Hippie-ish” to me too. But then again, if being “Hippie-ish”
means favouring “love” over say “power”, or “control”, or “hate”, then I’d rather count myself amongst the Hippies.
But given my propensity to wear sandals once or twice a year, this probably won’t happen!
Cooperation Greater Than Love?
Keyes talks about “the lift I get by looking at my relationship as a way of cooperating in the great adventure of life. It sets up an energy of fun and enjoyment.”
Fun and enjoyment ?!
Hey! Just a second there Mr. Keyes! What are you talking about there? That one can be in relationship, love your partner AND the world, AND have fun and enjoyment!!!
Keyes goes on to suggest that in relationships, cooperation is a better basis then love!
He is not saying that love is not important.
He is saying that it may be better if one is coming from a position of love in general, and that one considers “cooperation” as the basis for the foundation of a relationship.
I was struck by the notion that anything could be considered higher than love! But when I sat down and thought about it. A lot of people seem to profess that they love each other, but don’t seem to be able to stand each other!
There seem to be an awful lot of people who “love” each other, but can’t seem to get along with each other to save their lives, much less be happy together!
But I may be assuming a lot to suggest that the purpose of people coming together in relationships is to be happy! Many seem to be terrified of being alone, or don’t think that they can do well for themselves in love, so they settle, or so it seems.
When Cooperation Is Of Importance
But when couples put a desire to cooperate with each other as a priority: then this is where the magic happens!
I believe that when one wants to succeed, and wants to find a way, then the magic of cooperation is unleashed.
- when one wants to cooperate
- when one wants to find a way that works for both partners
- when one decides to place happiness above being self-centered
- when one considers the happiness of their partner to be of higher value than winning
- when one can see the value of and benefit of two people’s perspective vs. one
Would You Be Willing To?
While pondering Keyes’ perspective on cooperation, it suddenly hit me one day, and it was like a thunderbolt out of the sky!
The only reason that anybody ever really does anything is because they want to
We may kid ourselves and say that they have to do it, or think that we can force somebody to do something. But the reality I think is, that anything that our beautiful partners ever do for us is because they want to. Think about it: If you didn’t want to do something, would anybody be able to force you to do it? Consider that the next time your partner is going out of their way to spend some of their precious time or energy doing something for you.
And then we may feel a deep sense of gratitude…. but that is another topic!
But for now, just know that your partner has decided to cooperate with you. And why not cooperate with them?
You may be surprised what you get back!
If you found this post helpful, please pass it along to somebody that you think might be able to benefit from it.
Namaste