I wonder if anyone remembers the film 'Rashomon', directed by Akira Korasawa. It was about an incident in which all four parties involved had their own perspective on what took place.

I suppose the same can be said of perceptions in human relationships, especially in the case of women. 

We are emotional, and judge by our intuition and our feelings, both of which are so subjective that it is easy to make mistakes in judgement. Women in particular value their relationships with others. I do not speak of casual relationships where folk meet for social occasions and exchange banalities, old, stale and familiar, but real relationships, built up over time, where there is commonality, warmth and commitment. Yet I frequently see people falling out over something as trivial as wearing the same sari to a party, or a word uttered in jest or a difference of opinion over something quite unimportant.

Sometimes the issues are more serious, as for example when one person has achieved more success in her career than another, or someone is considered more beautiful or accomplished than her best friend. Envy sets in. Insecurity is a natural human condition even in the rich and powerful or the beautiful and gifted. These are not rational feelings and therefore they are never entirely within one's control.

However, the so-called lucky ones, the ones we may envy, may not be as lucky as we think. We cannot look into the hearts or lives of others, so unless we have walked their paths we cannot understand their experiences. Some women are abused by their husbands, some have family problems, others are depressed.

In every case, a little bit of introspection, some charity and a great deal of compassion can go a long way towards both understanding and resolving issues, whether they be between friends, colleagues, siblings or parents.

Kindness, honesty, and above all, loyalty, are always the prime moving factors in any relationship. So long as these emotions exist, there is a way out.