Last week, I don’t even know what night it was, I spent the evening binge-watching (I know, please don’t judge) a whole bunch of Ted Talks dealing with relationships or therapy in one way or another.
And I came out really finding a few gems that I cannot but share with you all.
Because they are so worth the investment of time (and no, not JUST for a marriage therapist like myself!).
This first one, and I have to share this one first because –
Well –
It made me laugh.
Who doesn’t like a good laugh, right?
[NOTE: If you would like to skip ahead to the VIDEO discussed here, scroll down & you’ll see it.]
And really it made me think of this one question:
When was the last time that you and your spouse laughed at something out loud?
Or spent a few hearty minutes laughing at something together?
And I don’t mean the LOL that you comment with when reading someone else’s status update.
I mean, real, raw laughter that made your face hurt afterward.
That kind.
Can you remember a time?
(I will leave you with that for a second.
Sit with that AND answer the question.)
We talk about serious things all day.
When we are at work.
When we coordinate things with other co-workers, bosses, neighbors, family, friends, parents of our children’s friends – we talk seriously almost all day long.
And sometimes, it gets on our nerves without even realizing that’s what’s going on.
When you can say something with a smile on your face, it is BOUND to make a better impression than when you say the exact same thing with a frown.
Nobody will argue with that.
So, onto humor and marriage advice we go.
You may or may not realize that one of the most repeated marriage advice one gets from couples married four or five decades or longer is:
Have (and keep) a sense of humor.
Don’t believe me?
If your grandparents are still living and married 50 some years – ask them.
You’ll see.
It’s no surprise, really.
Laughter is such a powerful connector that it’s only surprising that we (read: All married couples/all humans really) don’t take it more seriously.
[Now, THAT’s a funny play on words :-)]
And I will say —
There are definitely things that should NOT be laughed about/laughed at.
For. SURE.
BUT – the rest of the time – we should take advantage of this phenomenon to a greater degree.
We are used to discussing marriage issues and we almost put on a different face, as if we had to be wearing a mask.
When ways of talking about your relationship can be light, it’s so much easier to listen to.
And when it’s easier to listen to, it’s also easier to respond with generosity.
And often it takes the edge off.
It allows for more room to breathe.
Because the issue at hand is no longer so awfully heavy.
Because your spouse doesn’t lose all the spark in their eyes when he/she starts to talk.
They can laugh at it – they can make a joke.
You can remember a joke together and laugh at it together.
You can make a joke out of something that maybe neither one of you has the power to change.
Anyway – enough talk on my part.
Listen for yourselves.
We talk too often about marriage and relationships in a serious way.
Maybe not TOO often, but definitely MORE often than not.
Do yourselves a favor and watch this piece of funny marriage advice.
And – if you are not a research fan, brace yourself 🙂
Alright – What did you think?
I already explained why having laughter is good for you.
Both individually AND as a couple.
Have you shared this video with your spouse yet (assuming you think it was worth watching, of course)?
Do you laugh at yourself every once in a while?
Can you ever laugh at yourselves together?
Even as couples are preparing for (or have just survived) their weddings, right?
Something’s just GOT to not go according to plan.
In the big scheme of things – Who cares, right?
But then again, I am notorious for having realist/borderline pessimist tendencies more often than not.
For better or worse, at least I can laugh at myself, right? 😉
PS: Remember what McCarthy said about the Oscars and take this piece of funny marriage advice to heart.
I mean I can’t make you do anything – BUT –
I am certainly going to.
NOW – Now, if you see this and you regretfully look at each other, saying – This would have been funny a long time ago – BUT is no more – because of the place you’re in —
If you find yourselves in a place where some serious changes are, in fact, in order – I would love to help you two out.
Schedule an INITIAL PHONE CONSULTATION HERE and let’s get the ball rolling.
