Express gratitude to the one you love.
Research shows that gratitude is one of the most powerful — and efficient — ways to strengthen a romantic relationship (or any relationship, for that matter). Gratitude is relationship-strengthening because it requires us to see how we’ve been supported and cared for by other people.
Take Action: Celebrate the one you love by detailing all the things that you appreciate about him or her. Cut out a dozen paper hearts, and write one thing for which you are grateful on each.
Join the Discussion: How do you show gratitude to the love of your life? Share in the comments below.
I’ve been reading Christine’s work on gratitude and even though it can feel hoaky, because my kids are 15, 14, and 8 (I usually start with the 8 year old), I’ve been just trying by saying “thank you, that meant a lot to me”. And sometimes saying why, like if it helped me get do e quicker or whatever. Also I’ve decided to do it even when I’ve told them to do the thing or even if it was a struggle and I yelled! It is amazing how much they care; how much it affects the mood of the house. I know it’s a good morning when after I say bye to my 15 year old when he walks out the door for shook, and his 14 year old sister yells, “bye Eli, good luck!”!!! And, of course, the 8 year old is soaking it all in!
Thank you, Dr. Carter. My service dog Misty was attacked recently by a pit bull and luckily
there was a yard sale nearby with a number of people. Thus we were successful in saving
Misty. She has two chewed up legs on her right side and of course endured pain and suffering — she has never been attacked. Thus in this ensuring time I make sure that several times during the day I focus on her for a period and let her know how much I love her and how important it is to have her in my life. I have only one daughter and the two of
us went through a harrowing set of experiences during her minority. I always emphasized to her that “the important thing is that we got through it together.” I find it so easy to remember this gratitude to others but I always want to remind myself to do this with my
nearest and dearest. (By the way Whitney caught 10 minutes of your habit course that I
began –must resume– before the pit attack and remarked: “I can tell from her enunciation
that this woman really thinks a lot of herself.” My response to her was: “Hell, yeah, she’s a
Ph.D. and is presenting wonderful profound material to people. So she should be proud.”
Now that I have discovered you it is my hope and intention that as soon as the first tv show sells to have you work one-on-one with my daughter as you will be the one to have
her bring out her enormous abilities. I do think that God gave them to her because she
has a special mission in this world — just as you do.)
Sincerely,
Melanie Hoyt
Showing gratitude even for actions which are “expected” in families is one of the best ways to foster rewarding relationships with your adult children and your in-laws.
Ruth Nemzoff
Author of:Don’t Bite Your Tongue: How to Foster Rewarding Relationships with Your Adult Children and
Don’t Roll Your Eyes: Making In-Laws Into Family