Relationships are easy
Editors note: This is a guest post from Corey Allan of Simple Marriage.
Relationships are easy.
You may have read or heard the opposite, that relationships are hard work. I used to believe that was true. Not anymore.
Relationships are easy.
I understand that making time for someone else or giving up some of the things you love or getting your own way create some struggles in life but once again, relationships are easy.
Perhaps what people who believe relationships are hard work are actually referring to the difficulty of interacting and living with an immature, childish human.
Why would it be hard work to be in relationship with a mature, caring grown up?
Heres a couple of other questions to ponder:
Why is it that we are sometimes nicer to strangers than we are to loved ones?
Shouldnt marriage and relationships lighten our load, not add to our burden? Because if it were the latter, why in the world would any of us sign up for something like this?
Perhaps the problem is that many times we get bogged down in a lot of the unnecessary parts of relationships and lose focus on the essential parts. Or we lose sight of the fact that our significant other is a separate being who is capable of making their own decisions and charting their own path in life.
But this fact isnt a bad thing at all as it frees you up to do the same! And it also frees you both to choose each other not feel like youre stuck in a monotonous existence together.
Why relationships are easy
It all boils down to how you view what goes on within your relationships, specifically your significant ones.
First and foremost, marriage is designed to help you grow up. Its not about happiness. Its not about becoming more complete, despite what Hollywood and popular press would like you to believe. Marriage is about growing. Happin! ess will accompany you at times along the way, but its not the ultimate goal.
And second: your growth your responsibility; your spouses theirs. When you keep this in mind you realize that all you can control in a relationship is yourself.
Many times couples have sought my help in working on their marriage. They come in thinking their relationship is an outside entity that can be fixed. The problem with this is theyve got it backwards the relationship is working on them! Thats the way relationships are designed.
When you acknowledge this and live accordingly, relationships are easy.
Heres how.
How many times has something about your spouses behavior driven you crazy? Or how many heated discussions have come from your differences in beliefs?
The best way to combat this is found in this phrase: Rather than trying to adjust the wind, adjust your sails.
Focus on what you can control and this begins and ends with you!
Simplify things in life so you can savor more of the goodness. This same idea can be applied to relationships.
And it starts by slowing down.
Do you have trouble remembering names when meeting someone new? Do you know why? Most of the time youre too busy talking or thinking about what to say that you dont even hear their name.
This happens in regular conversations as well. Youre busy or rushed thinking about something else and you miss the goodness of the moment with your spouse, or kids, or friends.
Slow down. Let their be pauses in the conversation while you think and respond. There doesnt have to be a banter or speedy exchange of ideas in conversation.
Breathe. Listen. Breathe. Connect.
This will open you both up to more with each other.
Leos favorite guide works for most every aspect of relationships as well: Smile, breathe, and go slowly.
Just think how much better everything, and I mean everything (wink wink), will be when you follow this guide in your r! elations hip?
Read more from Corey at his blog, Simple Marriage, or subscribe to his feed.
Note: Zen Habits has been nominated in the 2011 Bloggies. Id love it if you voted (scroll down the page a bit), if youre so inclined. Once again Im in the same category as the awesome Post Secret so I dont stand a chance!
