27/03/2023
Edric and I had a great date today. We talked for a long time, and we both agreed on one area of improvement — Mindfulness.
Be a mindful spouse. It’s not just about being mindful of our tone, our manner, our words.
It’s about leveling it up and anticipating needs before they are articulated. For example, we shared a meal with Cassie Carstens and his family (he’s the author of The World Needs a Father, and Fishing for a Village), and he went out of his way to get table napkins for everyone and a plate for my sister-in-law when he noticed that she didn’t have one (even if she didn’t ask for a plate herself).
Edric and I can improve in this area of mindfulness, the kind that practices an attentiveness towards others, and seeks out opportunities to serve.
For example, not making others wait when you agreed to a time to meet, and going beyond being on time and choosing to be early because it communicates your respect for the person. Or, noticing a person who might feel out of place or awkward, and approaching them to befriend them so they don’t feel so alone. Or, it’s ordering food for a friend who just arrived from a long distance trip because you foresee that they might be exhausted from the long journey and desperately missing Filipino food! (our friends did this for us when we arrived a few days ago!)
For me, as a wife, it’s simple things like bringing a big glass of cold water to your husband even before he feels thirsty and asks for it. Or, it’s leaving some empty space in your suitcase because you know your husband likes to buy souvenirs, but won’t want to pay for extra luggage on the flight back home. (I actually did this on the last trip, and Edric was quite happy!)
I think all of us can anticipate how we can meet the un-articulated needs of our spouses by taking time to notice and pay attention. ❤️
