Applied Kindness
What are some kind things you enjoy doing for your spouse?
Our Experience
“It was very thoughtful of you to turn on the porch lights this morning before I got up,” said Libby when she first saw me this morning.
We have some small decorative lights around our porch ceiling and since it was a rainy morning I thought Libby might enjoy having them on. The frugality that must come from my Scottish heritage makes me resist turning on any lights unless it is absolutely necessary. (Did you know that the Grand Canyon was formed by a Scott who had lost a penny?)
Her comment got me thinking about how often do I give her a reason to say, “Thank you”? Or how often do I apply a little kindness?
Even though our little acts of kindness rightfully focus on the other person, they also tell us something about ourselves.
Applied Kindness Shows
That we have a positive attitude towards our spouse. Tension, hurt, resentment and poorly managed conflict make it impossible for us to be kind.
That we are not too busy or too stressed to be emotionally present to our spouse even when they are not there. I was in a hurry to get out the door, but do you know how long it took me to walk onto the porch and hit the switch? Maybe thirty seconds.
That we are not keeping score. If you have already thought, “I would be kinder if they were not so mean,” good luck.
That we know how to treat our spouse like a friend. More than once, I have challenged couples to pretend they are not married, maybe even strangers. Perhaps then they might be able to be kind to each other.
That we are dedicated to bringing joy to the one we vowed to love.
How might you apply some kindness this week?
