How can we build good relationships with others?

Question from the Internet:

“Can we make good relations with those whom we do not know?”

Yes, we can.

But in order to do so, we have to understand that “good relations” originate from us and they are not dependent on others. This means that if we can develop positive, constructive, accepting, and trusting attitudes towards others — first, practicing it in smaller, purposefully conducted groups — then later, we can use this newly developed approach and attitude towards anybody.

And as we start approaching the world and anybody in the world through such a positive, constructive, accepting, and trusting attitude and we constantly project an intention of trying to serve and support others, we will see that everybody is relating to us with the same reciprocal attitude and approach.

The most important thing to accept and actually feel is that while relationships are always mutual and reciprocal, the key is in our hands. We can influence and direct our relationship with others by our own “first step” and opening towards others without first waiting for them to open towards us.