There have been many times when I’ve posed a question for you the loyal reader to respond to, this time I’m changing it up a bit. This is still an ask the reader because I’m looking for your thoughts, but this is also a tool to help you design your life and relationships as you go forward.
The format is easy, simply complete this sentence in the comments. While the format may be easy, completing the sentence may not be.
If you’d like to get even more from this exercise, journal on this as well, or discuss this with your spouse, family, and friends.
To bring 5% more happiness to my relationships…
Photo courtesy AshleySTELLAR
To bring 5% more happiness to my relationships…I will not be so negative.
…I could take five minutes a day to jot a note of encouragement to five people.
To bring 5% more happiness to my relationships…I will be open with my thoughts and feelings.
To bring 5% more happiness to my relationships…I could be more intentional about reaching out (I’m such an introvert)
To bring 5% more happiness to my relationships… I will learn to not fear the opinion of men.
To bring 5% more happiness to my relationships I will be a better listener.
To bring 5% more happiness to my relationships…I will get more sleep so my crankiness does not rub off on those I love.
To bring 5% more happiness to my relationships… I will subtract 2.5% pessimism from my relationships. I find happiness doubles when you lessen pessimism.
…I will assume that people are honestly trying to be helpful, and not take criticism so personally.
…I will watch my tone.
To bring 5% more happiness to my relationships I will put myself in their shoes instead of focusing on myself.
To bring 5% more happiness to my relationships .. i will let him to cheer me and be thankful for the effort
I will be quiet and listen more.
I will do more of the reaching out instead of waiting for others to be the initiators.
Great comments thus far. Keep ‘em coming!
Worry less about my To Do List and enjoy my family more.
To Bring 5% more happiness to my relationships….(my husband inserted here to buy an H2, but materialism doesnt bring happiness dear
) is to fly by the seat of my pants and not to have to have control over every little detail…
To bring 5% more happiness to my relationships… I will shut down the computer earlier in the evening and spend the extra time talking with family and friends.
To bring 5% more happiness to my relationships I will slow down and enjoy life more, maybe even “be still”…something my husband says I just can’t seem to do!
I will think about my favorite qualities of my spouse on my ride home.
This is a great one. Another thing along the same lines is to use the time on the ride home to disengage from work so you can engage family when you enter the door at home.
….I will interrupt others less often.
To bring 5% more happiness to my relationships, I will try to trust more and not always assume someone has an ulterior motive.
To bring 5% more happiness to my relationships, I will try to be more positive and encouraging to others.
I will change my expectations and beliefs to positives and thus get the same outcome!
It is amazing how expectations will influence the outcome. Nice idea.
To bring 5% more happiness to my relationships…I will get up earlier and make a big breakfast for my husband at least twice a week.
…I will honor & love myself so I can honor & love the people in my life.
I will read Simple Marriage prepare myself for marriage and practice on others in the mean time.
You’re too kind, thanks.
I will accept the complements from my husband graciously instead of assuming that he’s ‘just being nice”.
i will detactchfrom what COULD be and accept what comes along
I will try to be happy myself so that I will able to make others happy as well.