Create A Mindful Relationship
Iwas with a friend the other day, and she asked me, “What’s one thing that you do to strengthen your marriage?” It was a loaded question, and my brain went in so many places.
We’re always looking for that one thing, but let’s be real it’s never just one thing.
It starts with having a “mindful relationship.”
We need a lot of little things consistently: it’s a process. But there’s always a starting point.
You have to be true creators of the relationship, not just two people who are letting a relationship happen to you. This is when both partners need to be fully awake. Be completely present, engaged, and aware.
Here are the four rules of mindful relationships:
- Express your true feelings. Being honest and vulnerable with our partners is a cornerstone of mindful relationships.
- Appreciation is the answer. If you want to experience falling in love with your mate your whole life, you need to start appreciating!
- Be a good listener. Being a good listener in your relationship is about cultivating presence.
- Have a base of integrity. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines integrity as “the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished.” What does integrity look like in a mindful relationship? It’s when you’re both committed to doing what’s in the best interest of each other’s whole being.
One of the most important goals of marriage and relationship coaching is helping you learn how to cultivate mindful habits. The better we get at being centered and mindful in our thoughts and actions, the happier we become!
This starts with implementing the rules above into your daily interactions from your family. If you can do it with your family (especially siblings) you can do it with anyone. There’s a reason Allah has put the reward for keeping family ties high (it ain’t easy). Once you have a strong mindful relationship with those closest to you everything else is easy.
Remember, The Prophet said: “The best of you is the one who is best to his wife, and I am the best of you to my wives.” [al-Tirmidhi]
Wishing you healthy, mindful, and loving relationships always!
