by Eric Payne
It’s a new year and time to start things off on the right foot. And as a year is made up of 365 days the goal should be to have as many good days as possible. One of the easiest ways to start each day off on the “good foot” is to say “Good Morning” to your spouse. If you’re a morning person like myself, it is downright insulting to awaken into a new day with no acknowledgement whatsoever from my spouse. This very small indifference can throw up a cloud of negativity over both of you and cause the one offended to leave the house with an empty feeling. This feeling only gets compounded when out in the streets contending with the daily batch of strangers on the road, in stores and at the workplace. The same is the case when leaving the house for the day and not saying goodbye.
It’s Not a Matter of Sensitivity
Oftentimes the offender is bewildered by your “sensitivity” to their actions. But it’s not a matter of sensitivity. It’s common courtesy. Your spouse will probably rely on the fact that you know they aren’t a morning person. They may not even remember not speaking to you. In some instances they may even go so far as to suggest you’re being sensitive. In this new year don’t allow anyone, not even your spouse, to label you in a less than positive way or tell you something is wrong with you because of their actions. Stand on your principles and what you believe you deserve.
For Better or Worse
Before you were married, not acknowledging your partner would’ve spelled the end of your relationship. Unless you have a job that constantly keeps you out of town, your day begins and ends with your spouse, like it or not. It’s much easier to say, “Good Morning,” than it is to deal with the consequences — your spouse going through the day on the wrong foot; or if you have kids, them watching your every move. There’s a 50/50 chance they’ll grow up copying or striving to avoid repeating your daily indifference. Which would you like them to do?
And who knows – it may do you some good to step outside of yourself and go beyond who you are in this new year. To make it light and maybe even fun, spouses can make a game out of this. Offer perks and demerits for greeting each other in the morning. Even if it’s grumbled it will be appreciated. Whatever the outcome, no harm can come from acknowledging your spouse in the morning. Plenty can from not doing so. Why put yourself through the drama?
Author of the now infamous, My Wife Is NOT My Friend (on Facebook), Eric talks about being a father and a husband on his blog, Makes Me Wanna Holler ““ Man, Dad, Husband. You can follow him on Twitter or find him chopping it up on his Facebook Page. He is the author of I See Through Eyes, a book of poetry and short stories. In his “spare time” Eric reviews autos and writes relationship articles for Atlanta-based J’Adore Magazine.