When I married my first husband, Scott, I had a bit of (I am ashamed to admit) a superiority complex.
As far as I was concerned, I did everything expected of a good wife and mother, and I did it well! The thought that Scott might not feel loved never even crossed my mind. In my mind, I thought, of course he is happy and feels loved. I am confident that Scott never considered whether I was feeling loved or not either. I can also say that neither one of us expressed much gratitude for each other during our marriage. I wish that we had. Things may have turned out differently for us.
Have you considered if your spouse feels loved lately? Do you believe that you are doing everything right in your relationship? Do you regularly show gratitude for your spouse, or are you primarily focused on their imperfections? We all know that no one is perfect, but in our minds, we don’t see ourselves as being imperfect. We don’t consider ourselves annoying, frustrating, or acting self-centered. We are simply being ourselves. Guess what? So is your spouse! Marriage is a commitment between two imperfect people.
Ahhh, but this is where gratitude makes its grand entrance! Ta da! Allow me to introduce you to GRATITUDE, the healer of hearts! Did you know that research shows that expressing gratitude releases oxytocin, which connects and strengthens the bond between two people? Did you know that showing gratitude is one of the simplest ways to increase happiness in your marriage? Expressing gratitude is the act of celebrating the positive in our relationships! We can create a significantly more profound and meaningful connection when we are grateful.
We can’t “will” ourselves a happy marriage. We must be “willing” to express gratitude to our spouse. It makes all the difference in the world! Did you know that saying a meaningful “thank you” can improve your spouse’s perception of you and your relationship? It’s a fact! So, let your partner know that they are cherished, appreciated, and valued. Thank them often. Make showing gratitude to your spouse a daily occurrence. Doing so makes the danger of your marriage becoming all about you impossible. Love expands when your spouse’s happiness becomes equally important as your own.
Think of gratitude as the gift to your spouse that keeps giving all year long!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. May your heart be as full as your stomach is bound to be!
