How to Restore A Broken Relationship

Receiving an email from a relative on an unknown Mulligan family branch really made my day.  She shared stories about past relatives and enlightened me about why there was break in our family tree.  I believe old wounds can heal and broken relationships can be restored.  Today's post is dedicated to my Mulligan cousin who searched for her roots and found me.  Here are some ideas to help restore a broken relationship:

1. Look in the mirror.  It's easy to blame the other party for a break-down.  Looking in the mirror allows you to see things from the other person's point-of-view.  
2. Once you discover what you are doing to make the situation difficult, go to the other party and ask forgiveness.  
3. Promise to change your ways.  Lip service is not enough.  Take action.  This may require changing bad habits that annoy others.  Your commitment to do this will go a long way improving your relationships.
4. Admit you are wrong or at least part of the problem.  When politicians do this, their popularity increases.  Yours can, too.
5. Be willing to forgive.  Once you do, let go and never bring up the issue again.  

It helps to let the other person know how important they are to you.  Relationships take effort.  Broken relationships need even more attention.  The best time to fix something that's broken is today.  Put this on your to do list and restore that broken relationship right now.  If there are multiple broken relationships, make a list and get on it before the day ends.

I'm sending today's story to my newly discovered cousin who began searching for her roots in her childhood.  Neither of us had anything to do with the split that occurred generations ago, however, my cousin took action and sought out to reunite with our amazing family.  At last, our family tree is being restored to its fullness.