Although modern scientists and philosophers have worked for centuries to explain the world around us, the answer to one question remains elusive: How do I take the risk out of love?
The two most important things in a relationship - any relationship - are communication and openness. All other important qualities of a relationship, such as trust, compassion or patience, fall under those two umbrellas. Being in touch and comfortable with yourself enough to include someone else in your life and communicating your honest feelings and desires to your partner are crucial to keeping love alive and healthy.
This is harder said than done, though, because that kind of vulnerability is terrifying. It’s really easy to take advantage of someone else in a relationship, even without knowing it. The fear of being hurt turns some people off from love completely. In order to keep your love fair, you need to choose to consider your partner’s needs and feelings as well as your own when making a decision. Put simply, you need to be thinking. Love is about including someone else in your life, which is impossible if you don't have regard for your partner.
Before your partner can use their knowledge of your feelings to show their love, first you need to communicate what those feelings are. The ability to effectively talk about what you need and how something affects you is the most basic human skill and is the beating heart of love. Talking to your partner and feeling comfortable talking to them about anything go hand in hand, and when these are achieved love stops being so scary.
