{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Are you an ASSertive Person In Your Circles?","description":"ASSERTIVENESS IN THE ESSENTIAL RELATIONSHIPS OF LIFE In this podcast we discuss the importance of using assertiveness in the essential relationships in our life. We use the paradigm Circle of Relationships.  Circle #1 \u2013 The SOURCE Relationship It is where I discover self. It is the internal and the eternal. It is where I find my purpose and passion  Know what we want personally and fulfill that desire. The only time to let people put you in a box is just before your funeral. Self-awareness is the key to self-assertiveness The best contribution to learning to be assertive is to be learning about myself. I can\u2019t teach others how to respect me if I haven\u2019t learned what there is to respect about myself.  It\u2019s not who you are that holds you back, it\u2019s who you think you\u2019re not. Assertiveness is not what you do, it\u2019s who you are. Shakti Gawain. Once we know what we want and we can express that in relationship. If we don\u2019t, staying silent is like a slow growing cancer to the soul. Circle #2 \u2013 The Intimate Partner Relationship This is where we express the deepest self in the deepest way to another individual. This is the place of emotional and physical intimacy and is where sexual expression is made.  It is one relationship that is committed and communicative. It the relationship of deepest authenticity and vulnerability. If we meet our own needs we can approach the intimate relationship with openness in communication. Communication is \u2018seeking to understand before being understood\u2019. When we have met our own needs with assertiveness we can approach the relationship communicating what we desire in a connected and intimate relationship.  Be assertive while being attentive.  Sex is a key focus in this and we can approach it with assertiveness and submission.  Good sex is when it is difficult to tell who is enjoying the most, the one who is submitting or the one who is dominant and then reversing those roles to continue the intimate adventure. Some of the most miserable men I have had in my office are those who have lived by the mantra of \u2018a happy wife makes a happy life\u2019   Circle #3 and 4 - Friendships, Family Circle #3 \u2013 The Select Few Relationships These are relationships of deepest bond and devotion Here is where I experience vulnerability and validity without sexuality. They establish earnest trust and are the best frienships of life.                            Circle #4 \u2013 The Few These are people I do life with. They are there for support in the celebratory and sad events of life. These are the people that are going to be there at funerals and weddings.          I can be authentic but often not vulnerable in these relationships  What is good the personal is good for the couple is good for the family.  Conclusion Practicing assertiveness in all of the Circle of Relationships will be a constant struggle.  Some relationships will require us to be more aggressive, some relationships will require us to be more passive. We can have confidence in this, we won\u2019t get it right all the time.  If we humbly acknowledge this we can move toward healthy growth in our assertiveness and this can have a beneficial effect on our circle of relationships from the inside out.                                                             For more information on the circle of relationships check out our podcasts below: Circle 1: https:\/\/www.amg.buzz\/podcast\/episode\/20787b4e\/the-1-relationship-source Circle 2: https:\/\/www.amg.buzz\/podcast\/episode\/1a64511e\/the-2-relationship-significant-other Circle 3: https:\/\/www.amg.buzz\/podcast\/episode\/83f7d9e4\/the-3-relationship-best-friends Circle 4: https:\/\/www.amg.buzz\/podcast\/episode\/855970d9\/the-4-relationship-friends-and-family     ","author_name":"Authentic Men's Group podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/www.amg.buzz","html":"