By Tiya Cunningham-Sumter
This week has been a trying one for me. I lost a dear friend unexpectedly. While I still struggle with understanding why, my focus remains on her husband and young daughter. My friend was an entrepreneur and a bold and driven woman; she traveled, she truly lived and gave 110% to everything she did. At only 28 she dreamed big and followed each of those dreams. I learned so much from her in life and continue to learn from her in death.
The lesson, I have known for years, but somehow still forget to practice regularly is not to sweat the small stuff. And as one book so aptly puts it and I agree, it’s all small stuff. My friend’s death has helped my husband and I remember what is truly important. We can’t afford to waste time on petty differences and miss out on opportunities to demonstrate and receive love and affection. Although neither of us was ever big on nagging or frequent bickering, I think we are both even more focused on creating a home and marriage of peace.
I just want to encourage other couples. If you are blessed to have someone you love in your life, make sure you always treat them like you love them. Even when we don’t always agree, they should never be able to question how we feel about them; love should always be evident. I know relationships/marriages aren’t always easy. We might struggle, but we must recognize that what we have is a gift. It is precious and it is ours. We do have the choice to treat it as we please, but it is my hope that we don’t take it for granted. We can choose to neglect it at times, believing it will always be there, hoping to have another opportunity to get it right. Or we can choose to get it right the first time by being fully present, giving love and not wasting time.
My heart may be heavy this week BMWK family, but I am inspired by what I have learned from my dear friend and I know her journey through my life was for a purpose. I hope my sharing this inspires you as well. Remember to love like it’s your first time loving, every time! And don’t sweat the small stuff; don’t ever make something small something big. Love, love, love your spouse and family and make each day count.
Tiya Cunningham-Sumter is a Certified Life & Relationship Coach, Founder of Life Editing. Tiya was featured in Ebony Magazine in the October 2008 and November 2010 issues. Tiya recently created and launched (Tuesdays with Tiya) Life Editing Radio show on blogtalkradio.com. She resides in Chicago with her husband and two children.