Balance & Time

Relationships are work, they require nurturing, like a garden. As time passes you get comfortable with each other, you establish routines, and you, to a certain degree, come to take your partner for granted. These aren't necessarily bad things but with long term relationships there is a danger of complacency, of predictability, of your relationship losing some importance. These things can create distance and stagnation. If you are not making some kind of progress- emotional, spiritual, professional, familial or otherwise- however incremental, you're not giving your relationship the attention it needs to move forward. 

Nicole and I spent the day together, went out to dinner and then to a movie with some friends. It was a great day. The past couple months have been a bit hectic for us, some changes, some obstacles, and busy schedules. We had to be diligent about carving out time for each other, to do stuff, to talk about stuff, to stay connected. It can be difficult, can take some effort, but ultimately we put the time and energy into our relationship and each other because its worth it. The companionship, the comfort, the fun, the excitement, the discovery, it all eclipses any upkeep required.

Balancing work, friendships, a relationship, and passions can be difficult. Finding time for each can be a struggle. But it pays dividends to put energy into those areas of your life that truly have meaning, to prioritize, to communicate, and cultivate those things that bring you joy.