By Steve Brunkhorst http://AchieveEzine.com

A strong, healthy relationship is one in which partners show respect and kindness toward each other. The relationship forms a rewarding and enduring bond of trust and support. Here are seven power skills that will help you form stronger alliances and bring more closeness, authenticity and trust to your relationships.

1. Relax Optimistically

If you are comfortable around others, they will feel comfortable around you. If you appear nervous, others will sense it and withdraw. If you are meeting someone for first time, brighten up as if you've rediscovered a long-lost friend. A smile will always be most powerful builder of rapport. Communicating with relaxed optimism, energy and enthusiasm will provide a strong foundation for lasting relationships.

2. Listen Deeply

Powerful listening goes beyond hearing words and messages; it connects us emotionally with our communication partner. Listen to what person is not saying as well as to what he or she is saying. Focus intently and listen to messages conveyed behind and between words.

Listen also with your eyes and heart. Notice facial expressions and body postures, but see beneath surface of visible behaviors. Feel range of emotions conveyed by tone of voice and rhythm of speech. Discern what person wants you to hear and also what they want you to feel.

3. Feel Empathetically

Empathy is foundation of good two-way communication. Being empathetic is seeing from another person's perspective regardless of your opinion or belief. Treat their mistakes as you would want them to treat your mistakes. Let individual know that you are concerned with mistake, and that you still respect them as a person. Share their excitement in times of victory, and offer encouragement in times of difficulty. Genuine feelings of empathy will strengthen bond of trust.

4. Respond Carefully

Choose emotions and words wisely. Measure your emotions according to person's moods and needs. Words can build or destroy trust. They differ in shades of meaning, intensity, and impact. What did you learn when listening deeply to other individual? Reflect your interpretation of person's message back to them. Validate your understanding of their message.

When you think about work do you think in terms of "burning desire" or "calling?" What is a burning desire to do this one thing you believe you were meant to do. What is a calling? Do you feel inside of you that there is a place that just is telling you that this is way to walk?

This is your purpose. Then you are blessed for many this never

happens. I think to have a burning desire is to steadfastly move in a

certain direction not knowing many times where you are going to end up

but knowing this is path you should take. The more other's pooh and

pah your desires more resolute you become to travel your path.

What a marvelous blessing this is to be called, it does not have to be

to greatness or fame. It may be a really humble job, or to volunteer,

go to peace corps. But it is place you know you want to go and

that it is right for you. You hear within you this voice urging you on.

You feel comfortable about following that voice. You know it is right.

I think it possible to have more than one calling in life. Some think you came into this world with one purpose. My experience has been that