Others may question whether your loyalties lie in the right places today, and you may be unsure as to how best to respond to their criticisms. If their comments make you feel uncomfortable or angry, consider expressing your emotional response honestly and succinctly. Arguing the validity of your relationships will likely net you little and may even become a source of resentment. You can help the people around you understand the strength of your treasured interpersonal bonds best by declaring your continuing allegiance, but you should not explain why you feel as you do if you do not feel inspired to do so. You will likely be surprised today at how easily you can clarify your commitments.

Because our relationships are immeasurably valuable blessings, we should never sit idly by when others attempt to come between us and the people we care about. While we need not defend the substance of our relationships to outsiders, it is our responsibility to make sure that influences wholly unrelated to the interpersonal bonds important to us cannot weaken our feelings. Our loyalty will determine how our friendships and familial associations will weather the ravages of time. If we believe that our relationships are worth working for, we will never shy away fro the challenges that are a normal element of all mature connections. Our loved ones will appreciate our devotion and consequently exhibit a similar level of commitment. When you stand up for your relationships today, you can be sure that the bonds you share with others will stay strong.