Being Thankful in Your Relationship

Relationships are, hands down, like, the best thing ever.

Relationships are also, hands down, like, the hardest thing ever.

Anything worth having is going to be difficult. It’s going to take work.

Ask anyone who built their dream home. Was it easy? Did you work, shift things around, and change things more often than you’d like, to make sure this home you will be spending the rest of your life in was nothing less than perfect?

Your relationship is your dream home.

If you are in it for the long haul, you are going to need to plan, prepare, compromise, and probably spend more money than you were expecting. (Ha…ha…)

Your relationship is your shelter. Somewhere you want to feel safe. Somewhere that’s lovely and comfortable. Somewhere where you can be yourself truly.

The getting there? That’s difficult. That takes work. But the awesome part? It is TOTALLY worth it.

But how do you do it?

There are no less than a bazillion ways to work in your relationship, but I think at this time of year it is appropriate to talk about this particular way:

Be Thankful.

Be thankful for your spouse, girlfriend, manfriend, or whatever you call your significant other.

That person gives you their ears when you have something to say. That person is your life vest when you are drowning.That person gives you their heart willingly, every day, just because they want to.

That person does so much that is easily overlooked because it is expected. Should those people provide listening ears and an open heart? Of course! But that does not mean we should not be grateful they choose to provide those things to US.

Be thankful in your words and your actions for everything your person does. IT IS SO EASY! Seriously, taking a couple of minutes out of your day can mean the world.

Write a note. It doesn’t have to be long or fancy, as long as its from the heart.

Buy their favorite candy bar on the way home.

Do a chore they particularly hate doing.

Or hey, just simply say “thank you.”

Little things grow into stronger bonds. Stronger connections. And you are going to need that solidity during your rough patches.

I will take a moment to brag on my fiancé, Brett. He,very consistently, for the 2 years we have been together, tells me how much I mean to him. He physically speaks the words. He writes them to me. He shows it in his actions. And it is one of the bajillionty reasons I love him more than I ever thought I could love a Cubs fan. 🙂

How do you show your significant other you are thankful for them? What are some things your significant other has done for you that left you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside? Share in the comments below. I want to know!

-Rachel

Dry-Erase Doodle

Quote by Thomas Edison. Astound yourself today!

The “Other” Category

In a previous post, I talked about encouraging others, specifically, those closest to you. But today, I want to talk about those in the “other” category.

These people would be your co-workers you don’t know that well, your friendly bank teller that is almost as happy as you are when you get to deposit your check on Fridays, and that barista that knows your drink order by heart because you have a caffeine addiction and go to that shop way too much.

But coffee is sooooooo beautiful and delicious…

They could even be complete strangers.

A few months ago, I was picking up my insulin prescription at Walgreens. The tech looked to be around my age. (Maybe a little younger, but I am horrible at guessing ages. He could have been 17 or 55 for all I know.)

He said “Is this prescription for you?”

“Sure is,” I answered.

He had a sympathetic look on his face, and in a soft voice said “Oh, I’m sorry. I don’t personally know anyone who has type 1, but I do know hard it can be.”

After he rang me up and handed me my Rx, he said “Take care of yourself…and…I’m proud of you.”

Whoah.

I started to get misty eyed. Here was a complete stranger, who in a matter of a  3 minute interaction changed my whole day. He didn’t know me at all, yet he acknowledged a battle I fight daily, and filled up my “encouragement” tank.

A complete stranger.

He probably doesn’t remember who I am, or what he said, but that is an interaction I will not easily forget.

We are not “obligated” to pat strangers on the back, or tell them how awesome they are. They won’t send us angry texts, or give us the cold shoulder at home if we don’t tell them how fantastic their PowerPoint for the work meeting was.

But, dang. It feels good, doesn’t it?

The funny thing about offering kind words to other people, is that it makes YOU feel good, too.

“I just feel really crappy after all of the compliments I gave. Their smiles and excitement just really got me down.” -SAID NO ONE EVER.

This week I had blood drawn at my doctor’s office. The nurse was AMAZING and I didn’t feel a thing. I told her she was awesome and I hope she never ever leaves.

Who’s day can you brighten? Who’s week can you change? It doesn’t take long, and the impact is long-lasting. Plus its fun making other people happy. 🙂

It’s fun (and super cute) to make animals happy, too 🙂

 

-Rachel

Mini doodle of inspiration

The last line of my favorite poem called Desiderata.

A Note on Encouragement

Sometimes, the people we need encouragement from the most, are those that think we already know just how awesome we are.

A couple of weeks ago, I was thinking about encouragement. It is something we all need, crave, and desire, although sometimes we don’t like to admit it. (Especially me, miss independent…..go ahead. Sing the Kelly Clarkson song. I won’t judge you.)

I started thinking about my friends especially, who are beautifully talented, intelligent, and genuine. I thought “I don’t tell them how awesome they are enough.”

The next day I got an email from one of my best friends. (Her name is Monica, and you saw her beautiful picture in the post before this.)

It was simple. It was two lines. But it completely changed my day and week. It was a sweet note of encouragement and love, and it was exactly what I needed. (I told you my friends were awesome.)

I am a confident person, and can fool a lot of you into thinking I have it all together. But the truth is, sometimes I crumble inside, and think my life is going nowhere. Sometimes I think I’m an unproductive human being just taking up space and air that could be used for bigger and better things.

But something I’ve come to fully realize lately, is that I’m not alone.

There are other people out there just like me, who wish people could see the daily struggles they endure. The disease they have that’s not externally visible. The boyfriend they have that is verbally abusive. The wife they take care of because she is depressed. The homework that’s piling up due to classes at night.

Sometimes we just want someone to tell us they are proud of us.

But how easy it is to forget, that other people crave that, too.

So do this. Get out your phone. Pull up your email. Send someone a message of encouragement. Your husband, your best friend, your babysitter…anyone. I promise you, two sentences and 60 seconds of your time will mean the world to that person.

(Here’s a funny consequence…..you’ll feel better, too.)

Yes, I did use a Ryan meme. They always help ME. 🙂 (via Pinterest)

-Rachel