On relationships

Fill in each gap with an adequate word from the box. 

a) nothing      b) blaming       c) deeply            d) argue    e) fix           f) upset            g) personally  h) listen           i) relationships    j) guilt       k) reaction  l) yelling

Dodging Arrows

Relating stirs up feelings in all of us from time to time, but sometimes someone’s emotional 1___________ may feel like it is aimed straight at you. In romantic relationships, Cupid's arrow is but the first of many. In other kinds of 2___________, you are also likely to be greeted by the occasional pointed stick.
Arrows come in many forms - criticism, name-calling, a judgmental tone of voice, 3___________ , crying, 4 ___________. There are countless ways we can be stung. Each arrow might enter us 5___________, bringing up our own feelings of anger, 6___________, fear, hurt, inadequacy, or despair.
Do you ever get 7___________ when someone expresses feelings to you? You need to remember a few key things. First, they're not being rational, nor do they necessarily mean anything they say.

So, do Not - take anything 8___________ . Do not correct, disagree, or try to 9___________ anything. Do not 10___________ or try to make a point. And don't simply space out or withdraw.
Instead, stay centered. And 11___________. It is a rare gift, one that shows you have uncommon strength - the strength to just listen, and do 12___________ more. (by John Gray, abridged)

Glossary:

dodging - evitando, esquivando-se de
arrows - setas
countless - inúmeras
stung - picados
bringing up - trazendo ao de cima/à superfície
don't space out - não te afastes
don't withdraw - não te retires/recolhas
strength - força

a) challenges   b) fail     c) new         d) difficult       e) relationships       f) grow       g) dark            h) miss  i) differently   j) change       k) blame                l) rain

Growth

All living things grow and 1_____________. This is a basic fact of nature. It includes us as individuals, and our 2______________, too. Growth is fostered by both light and 3___________, sun and 4_____________. Growth comes from the heart, from the willingness to face all that we encounter - not rejecting the darkness, not pushing away the rain.
In facing the many 5_____________ and problems that arise as a natural part of relating - we grow. In allowing the rain to touch us, rather than demanding that the sun always shine, we grow.
Each time we truly face a 6_____________ situation, whether we succeed or 7_____________, we learn things and we grow. We learn not to repeat a mistake. We learn to do something 8_____________. We discover 9_____________ strengths and abilities that we didn't realize we had. We choose better options.

In relating, difficulties show us what we need to heal or transform in ourselves. Unfortunately, we do one thing that seriously impairs our growth: We 10_____________ others. In doing so, we 11_____________ our opportunity to learn and 12_____________ from that challenge. (by John Gray, abridged)


Glossary:

fostered - fomentado, impulsionado
willingness - vontade, disponibilidade
our strengths - o nosso poder, aquilo em que somos fortes
abilities - capacidades
unfortunately - infelizmente
impairs - prejudica