There are numerous research studies on the benefits of gratitude, but there may be some unintended consequences when it comes to how we think about it. Being grateful is encouraged from an early age, but often not just as a choice, but rather as a mandate.
The Covid-19 pandemic put a halt to most of our normal routines. As a result, we had not travelled very much. Eager to take an overdue vacation, we scheduled a two-week trip to Italy, France and Spain. I eagerly jumped into the planning and organizing for this trip.
Like the way we use punctuation in language, music is separated, and structured, by these important, well-placed rests. Rests are critically important and intelligently placed by the composer for the music to make sense. But even during the rests, the song is not over … it’s just a time to wait …
If Valentine’s Day has become your one big shot to inject a little intimacy into your relationship, try something different. Are you willing to go beyond flowers, dinner and chocolate for Valentine’s Day? How about giving a different gift? The gift of intimacy.
I don’t know if I was in denial, or just oblivious to it, but it was an “Aha” moment when I began to understand the impact of my past on my present relationships.