Does life get so busy sometimes that you just need to stop and get back to what really matters?
Do you know what really matters? If you were asked who are the most important people in your life, chances are you’d say your family- husband/partner, kids, parents, siblings, friends etc. The people who matter to you are closest to you- whether you’re related, or close friends.
I was at a bridal shower awhile back, and we played a game there, where the bride had to answer questions about herself and her groom. The game was to see how well she knew him by comparing her answers to the ones he had already given the game hostess. We had to determine if her answers would match his. I thought this sounded like a fun thing to do, and I was excited to see what we would learn about both the bride and groom. As the game progressed, it became clear she knew her fiancé pretty well, but there were some questions she had no idea about, and I sat there wondering how well I knew the answers my husband and I would give to the same questions.
For example, one question was “What is your partner’s favorite meal?” or “When your partner is sick, what is the one thing he’d like to eat to make him feel better?” I realized I had no clue as to the answer on either of those. Sure, my husband loves most of the things I make, and he’ll ask for certain dishes, but if I had to say what his favorite meal was, I’m not sure I could answer that confidently. He might even say a dish that his mom used to make for him when he lived at home. And as for what he likes when he’s sick, I’d say it would depend on how sick he is. But besides all this, the point is that these are pretty basic questions that we should probably know the answer to if they apply to the people we love.
How is it that we can know a lot about people we interact with daily at the office, but not know a simple answer to what our mate likes most about our appearance? Sometimes I find we get wrapped up in our careers, and pay more attention the people in our business lives than we do our own loved ones. It’s easy to find out what special things your boss likes, because that might be part of your job, especially if you’re an assistant or care-giver to someone. But the really important people you need to give special attention to are your loved ones. Go ahead, make those double chocolate brownies for your grandson because they’re his favorite, or always have a case of your husband’s favorite beer/soda on hand in the pantry. It could even be something really little like not buying the bagels with the sesame seeds on them because they get stuck in your mom’s teeth, or getting the gel toothpaste for your daughter instead of the paste kind.
Your mission for today is to ask your loved ones to answer some basic questions for you, and let them ask you the same ones! They need to know the little things that you enjoy, too! Need some ideas? Here you go:
- What is your favorite meal for dinner?
- What’s the one thing you’d like me to get you when you’re sick?
- If you could watch any type of movie tonight, what would it be? (Comedy, drama, adventure, horror, etc.)
- When you feel down how can I make you feel better?
- What’s your favorite characteristic about me?
- What’s your biggest pet-peeve?
- If we could travel anywhere, where would you like to go?
- What’s your favorite thing I do to make you feel special?
- What’s your favorite part of my personality?
- What celebrity do they think they most resemble?
- What item could you not live without?
- Name something you’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t for whatever reason.
I hope these give you some ideas and really get you talking and sharing with your family members and friends. Whether we choose our loved ones, or we’re born in the same family, it’s important to make them feel special, and really listen to what they like, what makes them happy, and also what they love about you! Everyone should know these simple things about each other. Once you get started, you can think of your own. They may open up a discussion or even a debate, but the key is to learn, and enjoy.
Tami Loves…bringing people closer.
