Relationships are often fraught with assumptions. One of the biggest assumptions that many people who are in relationships make is that the other person knows how “I feel”. Many people assume that the other person knows exactly how they feel because they assume that they adequately express how they feel about the other person through their actions or because they have been together for an extended period of time. I am sure that you have heard people express this by saying something like “I don’t need to say “I love you” to her/him, she/he knows I how much I love them!” This statement may be true, the other person may know how much they are loved, however, more often then not, this is not true.
People in relationships, weather it be a romantic relationship, a relationship with your parents, children, other family members, or co-workers, it is usually not safe to assume that the other people in your life know how you feel if you are not outwardly expressing how you feel.
Many of us live very busy lives and we tend to take for granted that the people in our life “know” how we feel about them. Many people are often taken by surprise when their significant other announces that they don’t feel loved or appreciated as they walk out the door. Many people are stunned when they learn of a suicide of someone close to them, not realizing that the person who committed suicide felt un-loved, or felt that know one was proud of them or that they were not appreciated. I am certain that there are many people out there who have contemplated taking their own life, however changed their mind because someone suddenly expressed how much they loved them or appreciated them. They didn’t take their life because someone close to them took the time to express their love and appreciation for them.
Think about how often you have heard people express that they don’t feel loved or appreciated in their relationships when the reality was that the other person loved them very much, however did not express that emotion very well or at all.
Much of what we talk about here revolves around being mindful, slowing down and responsible for our thoughts and actions. Our relationships are one of largest aspects of our daily life. When one of our relationships end we often feel a large void in our life and we often are regretful for what we had not taken the time to do or say.
I implore you to do the following today:
Romantic Relationship
Take the face of the one you love in your hands, look into their eyes and tell them how much you love them, how you love waking up everyday to them and how much you appreciate that they have chosen to be in your life. Open your heart and let them know how you truly feel about them.
Parent to Child Relationship
Sit down with your child or call them on the phone if they live away from you and tell them how proud you are to be their parent, tell them how much you love them and how they have enhanced your life in ways that you could have never imagined.
Child to Parent Relationship
Sit down with your parent or call them on the phone if they live away from you and tell them how much you love them, how much you appreciate all the things they did for you, all the sacrifices that they made, all the times they were present in your life and how it is because of them that you have become the person you are today.
Co-worker Relationship
Express your gratitude to your co-workers, tell them how good of a job they are doing, tell them how much positive impact they have in your life, tell them how proud you are to work with them, tell them how proud you are of them, tell them how much you appreciate their friendship.
Friend to Friend Relationship
If you can, meet face to face, hold or shake their hand and tell them how much they mean to you, how much you love them, how much they enhance you life. Tell them how much you love that they are always there for you. Tell them how great they are.
Take the time to today, to express what you feel and how strong those feelings are to the people in your life. Take this step and enhance all of your relationships today!
I would you to know, that I appreciate all of the thoughts that you share here. I appreciate all of the love and blessings that you send my way. I love that you are here, taking the time to read my thoughts. My life is enhanced by your very presence, thank-you!
