Possibilities of the 4 R - respect, recognition, relaxation, reciprocity

Have you ever thought of improving your life quality? You know something has to be changed but you have no idea what you can do about it? You will find some suggestions in this article. And yes, I chose to use the expression "possibilites of the 4R instead of "rule of the 4R". This formula gives spaces to creativity, choice, freedom that we all want (more or less acknowledging it).


First R = RESPECT

It is the foundation of all relationships: from the relationship with yourself, with your beloved one, with your fellow workers and superiors, with people you meet on the street. It means the acceptance of the other one as he/she is, without the desire to change him/her.

When we offer respect - by thought, word and action - we receive respect in exchange and even more than that..

If the relationships so far have not been based on respect, add this new item and enjoy the quality of the new action.


Second R = RECOGNITION

After you have noticed how the new communication way, based on respect, looks like, take a drop of recognition and add it to your current activities.

How can recognition be applied? The easiest way is to (re)learn to thank the others for the gifts they give us every day - from the scented coffee prepared in the morning by our life mate up to the help offered by friends or the fact that an unknown person has opened the store door for you or offered you the seat in the bus. Or try to offer compliments and receive others' compliments gracefully.

Similar with the respect, applying recognition involves increase of the consciousness degree about one's own actions = a higher involvement in the present tense, that is, what buddhist people call "mindfullness"


Third R = RELAXATION

It could be the first or second R. Relaxation is a state of energyzing and/or creating a good mood (you may insert here your own definition about it!). There are a lot of techniques helping to obtain it: autogene relaxation, Chi Kung, massage and aromatherapy, ambiental music etc. Each person knows (or can find out) their own preferred relaxation way - allow yourself to experience it more and more in your every day life.

Moreover, the relaxation will help you get more precious information from inside yourself and the environment around. Try it!


Fourth R = RECIPROCITY

It is one of the fundamental universal laws. For those who are familiar with the Taoist system, it means the dynamic balance of Yin and Yang - to give and to get, to speak and to listen, always changing, always complementary.

Reciprocity means keeping harmony in a relationship and being aware when it is time to do the necessary adjustments.

Is the relationship with your partner tense? Maybe you get more than you give. Find out the way he/she wants to receive love and do it! Are you feeling tired because you work too much? This can show you that you have already given up too much of yourself. Adjust this - get some days off.

Reciprocity means helping to create a harmonious environment, where there are no persons only offering or persons only taking, but a dance of giving and receiving energy instead, where all people involved are feeling happy, that is, respected. And - look! - the cycle can begin again - respect generates recognition, on a relaxation background that allows us manifest reciprocity. A spiral of the evolution in a benefic way, where everybody wins.


Exercise
Take into account the new choices brought by the 4R. Meditate about their application in your personal and professional life, in the relationships with yourself and with other people.

Imagine (and note) more than 3 new things that each R can bring. Relax and apply!

As a creativity exercise, find other R that can help improve the quality of your life ("reinventing"... how does it sound?).

You can use the 4R in the proposed order or in another order. Feel free to apply all concepts presented so far or only those you resonate with. Good luck!