Getting great doesn’t happen overnight, and the same goes for relationships. It takes time and effort, and basically, a really good workout regime. Ask yourself how have you been approaching your relationships? Have you been a fan on the bleachers? Or are you out there bringing your A-game? Are you practicing, committing, and showing up how you want to be? Or is there somewhere that could use some more of your attention and focus?
Infusing play in your relationships is like breathing life into it - like breathing air into a deflated balloon, a good dose of play can revive any stale relationship. It’s no wonder that that Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play, compares play to oxygen - we don’t realize how important it is, until we don’t have it. Play activates the executive functioning in our brain in a way that invites vitality, curiosity, innovation, problem solving - plus it’s FUN.
Routine, security, and stability are all virtues of a long term relationship. The down side of these wonderful gains can sometimes be dullness, numbness, and stagnation. B o r i n g. We believe that long term relationships can be absolutely thrilling, with endless possibilities, adventures, and excitement.
We’ve inherited so many things from our family which influence our core beliefs, behaviors, and our relationships - big time. But unlike our genes, becoming aware of our core beliefs and how they influence our behavior can help us reflect on whether they serve or limit us. And then we can choose to make a change.
