5 Things I’ve Learned from my Husband

My husband and I have been married for a tender three months. But in the years that I’ve known him, he has changed my life and my thought process. I have always been a believer in choosing your life, choosing whom you want to be and actively striving to be that person. Being a victim of your circumstance and blaming your life on the inability to choose is not good enough. Joel has given me a deeper understanding of what it means to choose the life you want.

1. Believing the Best

Joel believes the best about me and about others. He gives grace and thinks positively about the future. He missed his life calling as a cheerleader (jk I’m glad he’s not a male cheerleader…) He’s got an infectious smile and encourages me in my goals. He believes that everything will work out and that good things will happen when God is in control.

2. Don’t Stress

I would not say that I’m a type A personality, but I am more so than Joel. His belief that everything will work out has taught me to not stress. It’s easy for me to be afraid of not making the right grades, or not getting the stellar job, or not being able to (fill in the blank), but Joel actually tells me not to stress, to let it go. Stressing does not help my situation and it makes me unpleasant to be around. I still need to learn a lot from my “go with the flow” husband but choosing not to stress out is a big one that has been a long time coming.

3. Actually DO What You Want

Anyone who knows me, knows that “be who you want to be” is my life mantra. I believe so much in the power of choosing your beliefs, choosing the kind of person you want to be, and actively making choices to become that person daily. It’s so important to me that I have it tattooed into my skin to daily remind me to be the person I want to be. But even with the tattoo, I forget. I forget that I have the power to choose who I interact with and how. I have the power to choose when I pray, eat, workout, work, and smile. I get to choose everything. Joel reminds me to choose what I love, to choose what is lovely, and uplifting, to choose what I was made to be.

When we first started dating Joel mused that he would like to have a sailboat. A couple years later, we have one and we are having a blast. Joel does what he wants, because he chose it, worked for it, and God gave him the desire of his heart.

4. Work Hard

Joel is a hard worker. He get’s things done, he knows his margin and limits. If I don’t know what kind of person I want to be, or what kind of life I want to have, how on earth would I know what to do? Joel encourages me to work hard daily to become the person I want to be. He encourages me to take steps when I’m afraid and to be hopeful in the future when it seems dark.

5. Enjoy Every Minute

Let me tell you to enjoy every minute as I sit here sipping a mimosa that Joel made for me. Why? Because it’s Wednesday and Joel likes to have fun and give me treats. Choose to enjoy the minutes. Choose to give way to the moment, the impractical, the lovely, the beautiful, or the impossible and believe that life is good and choose to enjoy it. * sip *

Take a second and enjoy at least one moment today. Don’t rush around all day. Comment to let me know which moment you chose to enjoy today! I’m always looking for new ideas.