Ruby Princess at Ocho Rios
Image by Frank Peters via Flickr

From our Ship’s Daily Newsletter

(Posted by Ron and Gayle)

  1. One of the greatest gifts you can give your partner is your own happiness.
  2. Great relationships don’t just happen, they are created.
  3. Don’t wait until Saturday night (or a cruise) to go dancing – move the furniture and dance by yourselves at home in your living room.
  4. Flirt with each other at a party just as if you were single
  5. Don’t forget to laugh together everyday.

Our Commentary:

There is no time like the present to take a quick inventory of the above list.  Surely one of the items stands out as one you and your partner do really well.  Take a moment today to validate each for the great job he or she does with this one.

And now instead of taking inventory for your partner and choosing the one you think he or she needs to improve – why not pick one for yourself?  We get pretty darn comfortable recognizing the areas in which our partner could make improvements.

Let’s set that side for a moment and just focus on ourselves as individuals.

Our Inventory:

Right now we are both stretching way out of our comfort zones by taking dance lessons.  It’s amazing how much we are learning about working together and patience from this endeavor.  We feel energized and more alive each time we “master” (using the term loosely) a new dance.

Gayle often finds herself stressed and overwhelmed with things to do.  She sees how her tension can put a damper on the relationship.  She is currently learning new “mindfulness” techniques to help her slow down and “smell more roses.”

Ron on the other hand is really focusing on growth and change.  It would be easy at 66 to say “honey I just can’t.”  But knowing that great relationships don’t just happen – they are created is instrumental in his “can do” attitude even when the mind is willing, but the body would rather take a nap!  This doesn’t mean becoming a weekend warrior.  It means he’s committed to taking better care of his body and trying new techniques to manage pain and stiffness is his muscles and joints.  He’s the last person on earth who ever thought he would love dancing.  Even a few months of ago you’d have heard him say “I don’t dance!.”  Hmmmmmm guess he was wrong about that!  Why don’t you join him and find out what long held belief you were wrong about too!  It can help a “mature” relationship seem new again!

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