Have you ever been fighting with your spouse when the doorbell rings? Suddenly, you compose yourself and answer it. When you see it’s your next-door neighbor or even a salesperson, you make small talk or tell them “thank you, but I’m not interested.”
The point is, you are nice to your neighbor or a complete stranger, but you don’t give your spouse that same courtesy.
Who is not guilty of this?
I raise my hand in shame and admit it. It’s so easy to do.
Our spouses know us and love us. They see us at our worst. But we shouldn’t give them our worst in return.
Don’t take their love and patience for granted.
Your spouse is not a garbage can.
The Happiness Project has really helped me with this. I love how Gretchen Rubin takes the time to intentionally connect with her family members, and tend to her marriage. It’s pretty darn inspiring.
And it makes sense that she would include working on her marriage as a part of her happiness project. Because marriage satisfaction is a big part of life satisfaction.
So-next time you feel like letting it all go ….don’t.
Your spouse deserves your best.
If you’ve been a grump a lot lately, figure out what it is that’s bugging you, but don’t take it out on them.
And if it’s an unresolved problem between the two of you, get some help from a marriage counselor. There’s no shame in that.
If you’re just a meanie in general lately, take a look at your life. Sometimes, just asking the right questions can lead to the answers you need.
- Are you sleep deprived?
- Have you been exercising on a regular (at least 4 times a week) basis?
- Are you taking time to have fun?
Take a good, hard look at yourself. Are you really giving your spouse the same courtesy you give a stranger?
If not, you can start treating them different today. Start by honoring yourself and taking care of yourself so you’re not operating on fumes. Then, pass that on to your relationship, by honoring your spouse.
Have fun with it and watch how it blesses your life!
