Project 141: RELATIONSHIPS

 

RELATIONSHIPS. They come in all "shapes and sizes", don't they? You have your relationship with your spouse, your parents, your in-laws, your kids, their spouses once they get older, your siblings, co-workers, your boss and just friends, in general. 

I will try to cover several of these areas over the next few blog articles but, as you can probably tell from the picture above, I'm going to start off talking about your relationship with your spouse. Yes, you can re-word that however you want and apply it however you want, but I think you get the idea.

That picture is actually the shadow of my wife and I from a couple of weeks ago when we were out on a day trip. We were actually taking a "selfie" with some beautiful scenery behind us when I noticed the shadow and decided I wanted to take a picture of that as well. 

We will have been married for 39 years toward the end of this coming May. Wow! She's getting old! Yeah, yeah, I know. Anyway, that's a long time to be with someone but, at the same time, her parents have been married for 70 years!!

Straight up...it has NOT been easy! There have been times over the years that both of us "got lazy" and took each other for granted. We have been separated on two different occasions (5 weeks was the longest) and were even on the brink of divorce during that longest period.

But, we are still here and, to be honest, we are STRONGER than ever before...but not by accident. It has taken determination, patience and, plain old WORK!

That is the purpose of talking about my "Project 141" application to this area of RELATIONSHIPS.

With the application of the idea behind "Project 141" be sure to do at least ONE (1) thing every day FOR (4) ONE (1) full year. Yes, every - single - day. At LEAST once a day!

Look at the graphic I put together a few years ago to get a few ideas of a few questions that you might want to consider...

Again, I know some of you would want to list "RELATIONSHIPS" in my list further up the list and that's o.k. Like I've already stated, I put them in this order for a reason and, as a way to recap, here's is my reasoning behind the order of this list.

In my opinion, your SPIRITUAL life/connection should always be #1 on your list. Want to know how to have better relationships? Check your "owners manual" (the Bible) for your directions. Want to improve your "PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT"? Again, check the "owners manual" which, if you go back and read, I pointed out over 3 articles on that specific area on this list. Why did I not put "relationships" in front of either of these. An improved spiritual life/connection will improve every area of your life. In my opinion, working on improving yourself (personal development) and your mind, mindset and attitude will do nothing but improve all of your relationships as well. 

Test me on this and see what you discover.

You CAN NOT take your relationships (ANY of them) for granted! I know it may sound corny but, yes, you need to treat your relationships as if they were a tender plant that needs your attention. Specifically, as we talk about your relationship with your spouse, you must take DAILY care and NEVER take it for granted. If you see this relationship starting to "wilt", don't wait! Let this be a "warning sign" to you that it is in need of some "nourishment" and get at it, friend!

A few years ago, I began writing little notes for my wife and leaving them around for her to find. Actually, this began when we were separated and I knew I had best figure out a way to get her attention and let her know how much I DID love her and how much I DID cherish her and NEED her.  Guess what? After a little while, she started leaving me notes as well.

This might be something that you consider doing for YOUR spouse. Get creative as WHERE to leave the note to surprise your spouse.

Let me emphasize this point. Yes, it's GREAT to leave notes like this but DO NOT allow these notes take the place of you VERBALLY telling your spouse that you love them. SAY the words, "I love you!" no matter how uncomfortable that may be for you at first --SAY IT!

Remember, CHANGE IS NOT EASY and, as "silly" as it may seem to some that are already in the habit of doing things such as this, if you are NOT used to doing so, it WILL take effort and discipline to do SOMETHING every single day!

Here's another suggestion for you if you are finding that you "don't feel" the same way that you used to when you first met. For one, understand that NEITHER of you are the same person that you were when you first met! THIS IS KEY! 

In my next article, I'm going to continue this discussion and share with you a suggested "work sheet" to really "break this down" (the idea stated in the last paragraph) and hopefully help you and your spouse strengthen your relationship.

Until next time, remember, YOU'RE HERE FOR A REASON and, whatever you do, always be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

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Celebrating 6 Years!

Yes, absolutely, it's hard to believe that it's been SIX YEARS since I did my first blog and podcast back on March 2, 2009. But, it's true and here we are today...SIX YEARS later!

 

First and foremost, I want to THANK YOU for being a part of this journey. Some of you may have been a part of FYU from the beginning and, others of you, may have just now found this avenue of positive information and encouragement.

 

Either way, I humbly say, "THANK YOU!".

 

For those of you that have followed along for a while you will know that what I'm about to say is true: The journey that I have taken with Future You University is simply a representation of LIFE.

 

There have been high points and there have been low points. There was actually even a period of time when I had to "close up shop" and stop doing both the blog and the podcast, but I came back after a period of time.

 

THAT'S LIFE in a nutshell, is it not?

 

Sure, you can say (and I even use the phrase on the podcast) that I "quit" for a while but I'd rather look at it as that I took a break until I got some things straightened out and then I cam back and picked up where I left off.

 

Am I where I want to be after six years? Am I satisfied with my progress at this point?

 

NO!

 

And I won't give up...I'll never give up.

 

And, neither should you. You WILL get knocked down but, friend, don't stay down and don't give up - GET UP and KEEP PUSHING FORWARD!

 

Take a few moments and listen to the podcast and enjoy some "different" music that I put together myself for this podcast. Well, actually, I had used it for another anniversary in the past but, I put it together and used it for that purpose.

 

I would be amiss if I did not mention that today is also my son, Jeremy's, birthday as well! What a great day!

 

And, finally, as I step out moving on toward year seven, I seek your continued support and input. Please visit the links below and become a part of the fan page on Facebook. I'd love to hear from you.

 

Until next time...whatever you do, be sure to...

 

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

 

Mike

Future You University    "Like" FYU on Facebook!

Podcast on iTunes    Podcast RSS feed

One Year Anniversary Celebration!

F.Y.U. Podcast Celebrates ONE YEAR!

It's really hard for me to believe but, on March 2, 2009 I began doing my Future You University podcast with a Monday-Wednesday-Friday format. And now, here I am a year later, still here and now doing a Monday through Friday format and having a great time along the way!

I want to encourage you to be sure to listen to today's "celebration podcast" as I share my very first podcast on "HOPE". I also take some time to thank some of the people that have helped me along the way either by encouragement, participating in my podcasts or even helping with some of the actual physical aspects of what I am trying to do.

So, again, thanks to:

J.B. Glossinger, founder of MorningCoach.com , the place where I discovered a whole group of people all focused on improving their lives by improving their mindset. This is the place that I began to share a lot of my ideas and thoughts through my articles and responses to other posts. It is also where I joined up in a class and learned what I needed to know about doing my podcasts. Some of the people that I met through this site are still connected with me in one way or another and have been real encouragers along the way. J.B. - thanks for your encouragement along the way!

Angie Strader & Joe Hazen have both been guests on my podcast and both have been big encouragers in their own special way. Angie is doing some AMAZING things in her own way and I really connected with Angie when I heard the name of one of her websites: TheWorldNeedsMoreHappy.com - that name spoke to me and I had to talk to Angie to find out more. (Yes, Joe and Angie were both students in the same class that I participated in at morningcoach.com). Joe - "Jammin' Joe" or "The Amazin' Hazen" - and I just seemed to "click" right from the start and, although we haven't spoken a whole lot lately, still seem to have the desire to spur each other on to greater and greater things! Joe is also involved in improving his life by taking steps to be in charge of his own future! Thank you, Angie and Joe!

Gerry Ottesen & Jim Ferguson have both been MAJOR encouragers for me along the way! Gerry regularly sends notes and messages to me either via e-mail or on my Facebook page that also lift me up! Thanks so much for that Gerry - you have a gift in that area, my friend! Jim has done the same thing for me very often and, just about the time I think no one is "out there" and listening I either get a note form Gerry or Joe OR both of them - at just the right time - and I am encouraged to keep sharing my thoughts and ideas. THANK YOU BOTH so much!

Frank McDerment has helped me in so many ways since I began this journey. He has always been available with some great insight and suggestions along the way and has voluntarily helped me with my website and the changes and additions that I have wanted over the past year. This has been worth more - and meant more - than can be expressed here but it is a GREAT blessing to have someone like Frank in my life in this effort! THANKS Frank!

Carola Fuertes is a friend that lives in Chile and, thankfully, last I heard was doing o.k. following the recent earthquake in her country. I've not had the chance to keep up (don't think I could EVER keep up with this firecracker!) with Carola as much lately as earlier, but she is another that I connected with via the morningcoach.com page. Carola has such a brightness surrounding her - a joy - that is infectious and she is one that, for me, encourages me to step out and LIVE LIFE! I'm not sure, but I'm guessing that Carola is still doing her podcast that she began just a little before I started mine. Whatever Carola is doing - she will do to her best and she will enjoy it every step of the way! THANKS Carola!

O.k. now - this is starting to look like a speech after winning an Oscar award or something. Are you waiting for me to break out into, "They like me. They really, really like me!" ? Nah, don't think I'll do that!

But I just couldn't talk about this being a one year anniversary without mentioning at least these that have been some a help to me along the way.

And, oh yes, there are many others that have been an encouragement with a little note here and there letting me know that what I'm doing is making a difference in their lives.

Thank you all and I hope to hear from more and more of you along the way. I cannot tell you what a lift it gives to hear from someone that lets me know that they are listening and that it is something positive for their life.

I have many big plans for this next year and I hope that you will join me along the way for this wonderful ride!

Whatever you do - wherever you live - regardless of your circumstances - always remember these thoughts:

"As long as there is breath, there is hope."

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike