Gratitude is mindfulness in action. It requires heightened awareness of our environment. And nowhere is the impact more deeply felt than in our personal relationships.
One of the most common mistakes couples make is the “assumption error.” This occurs when we assume our partner knows what we are thinking or feeling, or, worse, believe they should.
A simple exercise to get your gratitude on is to write down a few things you appreciate about your partner each day. Don’t limit yourself to the big stuff. The majority of our daily actions go seemingly unnoticed. Having someone recognize the “little things” can be deeply gratifying.
Then create an uninterrupted moment to read this list to your partner. Take it slow and let it sink in. Research shows that couples who regularly express appreciation for one another are happier, healthier and have a greater sense of fulfillment in their relationships.
