No one achieves success and fulfillment by being entirely alone. We need other people for encouragement and support, for friendship and new ideas. We need them for the experience of belonging and security, and for love and companionship in life's pleasurable and challenging experiences.

There are many skills to learn in being able to truly connect with another human being. We often have no opportunity to master these skills as we grow into adulthood. For example, we need to learn how to identify our needs and how to ask for what we really want.

When we have painful experiences with those whom we love, we need to be able to forgive both the other and ourselves. Truly intimate relationships require the ability to communicate through conflict to a resolution that feels good to all involved.

If we feel that we have harmed loved ones in the past, we need to be able to make amends for our part in the pain. Our relationships blossom and flourish if we know how to express love, give the perfect gift, say a thank you that is heartfelt, and so on.

Why not learn to be extraordinary in caring for your intimate relationships?