9/366 – Words to Live By

January 9, 2012 – Kirk and I have spent 25 fabulous and fun-filled years together. Our secret is laughter, lots of laughter.

My Dad gave me some good relationship advice when I was younger. Sadly, it was after his marriage had fallen apart and he’d had time to reflect a bit. Even though his marriage didn’t work out, the advice is solid. Relationships aren’t 50:50. They are 100:100. If you only give 50% because you expect the other person to do the same or something more, you’ll be disappointed. You each have to give 100% to the relationship. And you have to be prepared to compromise, and even give in completely sometimes. Because not everything that you want is really so important, and sometimes the other person’s wants get to come before your own. If you are unwilling to be flexible, why would you expect the other person to?

Here’s our recipe.

1. Live each moment to the fullest. Live within our means. Live for today, but lay achievable plans for tomorrow. Live for each other.

2. Love wholeheartedly. Love honestly. Love unconditionally.

3. Never stop laughing.

And most importantly…never, ever, go to bed angry with each other. Even if you have to stay up all night, work it out before you go to sleep.

I liked the idea in Saturday’s Capture Your 365 and grabbed the photo idea) and although I can’t imagine defining (or really see the purpose in restricting) a year on one single word, I like the idea put forward by scrapbook guru Ali Edwards, and featured on Brené Brown’s blog. And it seems like everyone is on this “One Word” kick – here is another that popped into my RSS feed – My One Little Word on Shutter Sisters