Congratulations! You've made it through 3 weeks, and that's fantastic! There's a long held principle that 21 Days of doing anything creates a new habit or change. But more on that in a minute.
How did Day 20 -
- Pray Together go? I hope you took a little time to read some of the articles and resources available on this subject, whether praying together is already something you do, or not. Good stuff.
Okay, for today...
DAY 21: TO A GREAT MARRIAGE - Assess Where You're At
There's some controversy over the 'science' of sticking to a new goal for 21 days to gain a new habit or changed behavior. It started probably in the '70's with the book, "Psycho-Cybernetics."
But, whether it takes 21 days or 31 days or 101 days or longer, this is true -- when you stay with a goal; when you continue to invest in the things you value -- change does occur.
There's even an App to help you track and encourage you in your resolve. Check out HabitForge :)
You know that whether it's a diet you're on or a fitness program you've started, or any other 'new thing' you are putting into practice, that assessing how you are doing/where you are at is an important part in realizing success in the endeavor. And that is what today's suggestion is all about.
I have to admit it, I am a list person...it's the only way I can keep all the balls in the air. It helps me remove all the 'have to dos' from my brain and be free to give the attention I need to whatever is at hand.
So, today is the day to go over the list of the past 20 Days to see how you're doing, (you might want to print it out) over a cup of coffee or tea (mine is a Chai Latte), and assess how you've done. Check off the things you've done; highlight the things you haven't done yet; and then resolve to do those today, or if there are several, this week, to catch up.
No worries where you are at...today is a new day and a fresh opportunity to pick it up again. As Duane likes to remember me, when I need encouragement in continuing to press forward on a goal like dieting or fitness, "It's not where you've been, it's where you're going, that counts."
You've been investing in your marriage over the past 3 weeks, and anything that you've done to plant good things will bear fruit.
That's it! Assess and press on! :)
And I'll see you tomorrow.
Hi!
So what did you do for Day 18 -
- Do Something New? After hopefully having a fun and relaxing time together, the stage is set for today's suggestion which is to...
DAY 19: TO A GREAT MARRIAGE - Dream Together - If you and your husband were like Duane and I when we were first married, you loved to dream together about the future. Remember? Maybe you still do, and that's fantastic! But if you are like most couples the dreaming fades into the rigors and realities of every day life. But it doesn't have to!
Here's just a few things that dreaming together can do for a couple...
1. Just as dreaming together was part of the 'woo' in the beginning of your relationship, to find out that you had the same interests, values and goals; dreaming is part of the 'glue' that helps hold your marriage together by working together toward common goals.
2. Dreaming gives purpose to everyday life.
3. It helps you 'enter' into each other's dreams - it knits your hearts together. See more on this at Women Living Well.
4. It helps keep the 'wonder' alive in a marriage. See My Dreams, Your Dreams, Our Dreams.
5. No matter what your age, dreaming should never stop, and it is never too late to dream together again. It helps keep you and your relationship young and forward looking. Marriage in Retirement has some good things on that.
So, today...set aside time to dream together. And if you want a little help with 'how' see the Women Living Well link in #3.
That's it!
Sweet Dreams :)
Hi everyone,
Well, how was Day 17 -
- Dress for Him? Today is the perfect day to put that suggestion into practice...it's the weekend and a good chance you'll go on your date night!
And to go along with that today's suggestion is to...
DAY 18: TO A GREAT MARRIAGE - Try Something New
Go somewhere to eat or do something you've not done before on date night!
Duane and I incorporated this into our date nights something like this:
One week we'll go out to dinner and a movie (something he loves to do); the next week we'll have date night at home (lots of fun and creative ideas at sites like the Dating Divas); the next week we try a restaurant we've never been to before; and the fourth week we'll do something we've never done, ie go to an outdoor concert in the wine country or visit a part of our area we've never been for night-time sight-seeing, etc.
That's it!
Mix it up! Keep it fresh! And have a great date night this weekend!
Hi everyone!
The weekend is just around the corner - are you anticipating it...or dreading it? You may have kid's games, other family or volunteer responsibilities, a major house project, guests coming that you have to get ready for, et al.
One thing I (finally) learned was that having something fun planned for the weekend ahead of time, however big or small, pushes on my anticipation button and helps me see and deal with all the responsibilities that lie ahead with a better attitude. It is amazing how much anticipation can energize and motivate us.
As we talked about yesterday Day 9 -- Take Time for Yourself, will help re-energize you to go through not just your day, but your week and weekend with greater ease.
So, as simple as it is, I encourage you to...
DAY 10: TO A GREAT MARRIAGE - Plan Ahead for Fun!
Beginning today, plan your weekend(s) with one fun thing to do with the family, (even if it is just you and your husband), regardless of how packed the schedule may be with responsibilities.
There are loads of benefits:
-It will be a needed diversion for you and your husband.
-It will be fun!
-It will push the anticipation button for everyone.
-It will model important things to your children.
-It will add a little more 'glue' to your family.
-It will bond you and your husband closer in your parenting.
I could go on, but here's an article you might find helpful, "Taking Back the Family Weekend," that has some good things to say about making over your family weekend time to include more fun and relaxation.
And, for a few ideas of fun things to do, check out iMOM for 14 Fun Weekend Family Activities.
Deliberate planning is more than a smart thing to do :)
