If you’ve been following me for very long, you know I love to garden. I have a few house plants that have thrived for more than 20 years. My rose bushes are flourishing. My sunflower plants are about twelve feet tall. My yard has been called “an oasis,” or, “a park.” Why is this?
I adequately water for my dry climate, but I also fertilize regularly. Water is essential, but even with enough water, plants won’t thrive without fertiliz
er.
Lately I’ve noticed something about the couples I coach. Some of them struggle along, doing their best to use some of the tools they learn from me. But others make astounding progress in transforming their relationship from mediocre or unhappy to loving and secure again. The difference is how consistently they use the skills that enable them to be respectful to each other 24/7.
Love thrives in a medium of respect. Without respect, love withers, limps along, or dies.
So how is Respect given?
- By using respectful, non-attacking language and behaviors.
- By keeping your agreements, including those of your marriage vows.
- By choosing to vent anger privately and safely, not at your partner.
Does this sound ideal? It is! However, many of us come to marriage with great intentions, but without the skills needed to nurture our love with a foundation of respect.
All of us have an immature two-year-old living inside. She comes in handy when planning a party. He is delightful when playing with his children. But when a two-year-old’s anger gets triggered, he will not react with respect. She will fight back with biting words. Two-year-olds ruin a lot of marriages!
You would not allow your two-year-old child to run unrestrained into the street. Neither should your inner two-year-old be allowed the freedom to do or say hurtful, disrespectful things to retaliate when hurt or angry.
Just as children sometimes need a time-out to calm down, you can call a time-out on yourself to calm your inner two-year-old down so you can come back to deal with the conflict as a mature adult.
Need help learning how to do this? You may now order the Respect 24/7 module separately from the Millionaire Marriage Club. This mini-course maps out the steps for managing the two-year-old within so that you can maintain respect with your partner 24/7! Consider this cost-effective and powerful mini-course online at https://nancylandrum.com/the-club
Wishing you plenty of fun and play with your inner two-year-old as well as effective adult supervision when anger is triggered!
