Not Everyone Likes The Winter Olympics-- But We Do...
Like many people around the world, we've been watching the Winter Olympics on television. We're constantly amazed at the level of concentration and dedication the athletes have for excelling in their sport. Although not everyone is appreciating the efforts of our US team as much as we are, we thought we'd add our comments to the mix, especially how we see it relating to relationships.
As we've watched, we couldn't help asking ourselves a few questions...
Did they learn their sport overnight? Of course not.
Do they have to practice everyday? Of course they do.
Believe it or not--the same thing holds true for having great relationships.
If there's one thing we've learned in our own lives and from the lives of people who work with us in our coaching practice, it's that in order to have a truly close, connected relationship, you need to keep doing things every day to keep your love alive and growing.
Even If you aren't in an intimate relationship and you want to be, you have to begin doing the kinds of things in your current relationships that are more of what you want in your life. It certainly is true--we do get more of what we practice and love certainly falls into this category as well as anything you might learn.
Here are some really simple ideas for practicing having more love in your life-- TODAY AND EVERY DAY-- that can build a closer, more connected relationships. Although we're making some assumptions about what you might wantmore of in your relationships, we think that these ideas are worth repeating because we all forget to do them in our busy lives...
1. Look at the people in your life when you talk with them--especially the people close to you--your partner, your children. We've just finished a teleseminar series on "Getting the Spark Back in Your Relationship" and that was one of the most important ideas that impacted the participants. They realized how much they did NOT look at each other and how that disconnects them.
2. Be appreciative when your loved ones or anyone does something special for you. Stop what you are doing, open your heart, and thank them.
3. Do something nice for someone today. Maybe you've been thinking about doing something or sending a card to someone and haven't taken the time to do it. Take the time today. Since Valentine's Day was this past week, you might have given and received cards or presents from your loved ones. Extend this love to today and tomorrow as well!
4. Move past your habitual responses and truly listen to your loved ones. Do it differently today. When you truly stop and listen with an open heart, you understand. You might not agree but you understand and with understanding comes compassion and connection.
5. Like the Olympic athletes, keep practicing every day.
What we wish for all of you is to have the love and happiness that you want in your life. No matter what relationships you currently have, there is always a way to make them better.
