Relationships

I've been wondering..
What if we gave each other the benefit of the doubt, instead of always assuming the worst?
What if we chose to dwell on the good things someone has done for us and not the bad?
What if instead of having our feelings hurt by lack of communication, we reached out to them instead?
What if every time we thought negative things about someone, we forced ourselves to think of five good things about them?
What if we truly forgave each other instead of just stashing away a list of offenses?
What if we called just to check in on each other?
What if we started sharing our good news and not just our bad?
What if we wrote to each other just to say something nice?
What if we put away our pride and mended old relationships?
What if we apologized for hurting each other and meant it?
What if we helped each other out without being asked?
What if we stopped saying and started doing?

If we tried to do these things, would our relationships grow stronger?
If we decided that we would try to improve our end, would it create change on the other end without them even knowing?
They say you can't change other people, you can only change yourself.
But maybe you can.
Like that saying goes, "Dress for the job you want, not the job you have".
Dress for the relationship you want, not the one you have?

I am going to try to be the change I want to see in my relationships.
I really think that most conflict is just a lack of communication.
I don't believe most people go around trying to hurt each other.
And if they do, why are they in our lives?

Who knows maybe it will work, or maybe not.
But either way, I will know I did everything I could.
And I have a hunch, I will get much better sleep at night.