There is knowledge and there is information. Knowledge can become wisdom when it has been applied effectively. Information is helpful, but it cannot transcend itself and become anything more than information.

              I cannot remember where I first came across this knowledge that when it comes to relationships, we maintain harmony and balance when we try to ensure a ratio of at least 5 “good” moments with a person for every 1 “bad” moment with this person.  We all make mistakes, but the comfort of the Golden Ratio of Relationships is that bad choices or behaviors can be accounted for and good choices and behaviors become a buffer against those times when we may unfortunately fall short again. Trying to prevent the falling short is itself a good behavior—we can all allow harmony to flow from there if nothing else.

Since we cannot control how many of these “good” moments the other person in a given relationship will contribute, we contribute as many as possible without overstretching ourselves. When our relationships are harmonious, our own well-being and peace of mind is also supported.

              The thing is, we can also find ourselves in moments where it feels that no matter how many “good moments” we can provide, the sheer avalanche of “bad moments” the other person contributes will not be something our efforts can continue to keep “in ratio.” Sometimes the most good we can do, in the collective sense, is to walk away from these types of draining situations. Our good can be better applied in other environs.

              This brings me to what I feel is an even better application of the Golden Ratio (a concept which can be—and is—applied to anything from flower arrangements to engineering). I want to talk about the Golden Ratio of the Soul. Just as in the Golden Ratio of Relationships, the goal here is to keep our souls golden through simply maintaining AT LEAST a ratio of 5 good to every 1 bad. You could also state it as 5 acts of love for every 1 act of harm.

              I think most people utilizing this ratio would understand that the more good you do, the better your overall chance to maintain the splendor of your soul, which is the most precious of all that is granted you.