Kindness

Day two, and on top of continuing with patience, I am to practice kindness. There are several ways you can show kindness to your spouse. Anytime you put your spouse's needs ahead of your own, you are showing kindness. The Love Dare breaks kindness down into four parts as gentleness, helpfulness, willingness, and initiative. When using gentleness we are careful of how you treat your partner, always try to be sensitive even when telling your spouse something harsh. In practicing helpfulness you make sure your spouse's needs are met. Helping around the house, cooking dinner, or just listening when they are upset are just a few of the things that can be done to help your partner and make their life less stressful. Willingness means that you are willing to compromise in an argument, or to not complain, and to be willing to listen first. Lastly, we learn to take the initiative. Taking the initiative means that if you see something that needs doing, you don't wait for the other person to do it. Whether that mean being first to forgive, the first to smile, the first to serve… well, I think you get the idea.

I'm not sure about how I am complete this task. I try every day to be a kind person and to try and be Christ-like. I try to make sure others are cared for before I care for myself. The only thing I can think that I need to work on would be forgiveness. I'm a grudge holder. It's a major flaw in my character makeup. It's hard to let go of the pain other's cause you, and to forgive them. It's so much easier to hold it against them and to remind them time and again about what they had done to you. I need to let go of the past, and embrace the future. That doesn't mean that you should put yourself in a situation that is bad for you or health. If a relationship is toxic to your health, it is sometimes best to remove yourself from the danger zone. You can still forgive the offending person, but if they don't love you enough to care about your well being, its best that you put some space between you and them. If you love someone, you put their needs first. You bend over backwards to make sure that you do everything possible to make their life easier and to try your best to never do anything that would ever harm them, mentally or physically.

I'm still working on patience. Yesterday was easy enough. I lost it once or twice when the kids were screaming at me after staying up nearly all night with them, because they refused to sleep, and insisted on taking turns on waking up every hour. An act they repeated again last night. I tried my best not to show my frustration, to let go of it and remain calm around my family. It helped when my husband took the kids for a few minutes to allow me a short break from the craziness, and to unwind a little. It's going to be much harder today. I'm really tired, having gotten up early with Bubby after getting up repeatedly last night. As I type, he is tugging at me, crying at me, and trying his best to reach my laptop keys. My husband is off for the holiday and since we are doing our turkey this weekend when his sisters are here, I'm sure I can manage a nap, and maybe even some writing time. My house is clean, aside from the small amount of laundry that will be finished today. I'm looking forward to having family and friends here.

Today is the day for thankfulness. I am most thankful for my loved ones, my wonderful children, and my wonderful, loving husband. I am thankful for everyone who supports me in my writing, and every other thing I do in my life.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and are blessed in all you do in your life! Happy Thanksgiving!

Ta!

A.McBay