3 Reasons Why Everyone Needs a Spouse Who is a GOOD LISTENER
I know I've written about marital communication EXCESSIVELY but there are certain luxuries to being married–like having a built-in sounding board. The truth is- I talk to my dogs and ask their opinions on major life issues, but for the most part the only response I'll get is a tail wag and a face licking. So from time to time I like being able to bounce ideas, or in the case this morning unload a Sh*t Storm of things that are bothering me on my spouse.
The thing about marriage is that ideally your spouse should be one of the most important people in your life- and therefore it shouldn't be a chore for him/her to have to listen to you say, even when you are rambling incoherently and shaking your fists at the sky. This is PART of what being in a marriage entails- in fact I'd say 90 percent of being a GOOD spouse is just listening. Luckily for me my husband is not much of a talker- in fact he could go for DAYS without uttering a word , some of our greatest moments are when I am doing all the talking and he is dong all the listening. It works for us, especially when my dogs leave the room as soon as I sit them on the couch and start talking to them.
But in all seriousness listening to your spouse is an ESSENTIAL ingredient to a successful marriage and here are three reasons why:
#1 There are some things that if you uttered them in public might get you a first-class ticket to Riker's Island, and these are the kinds of things that ONLY a spouse should/could hear. In fact, your spouse cannot testify against you in a court of law- so there's that- but also- your spouse is the one person who should be the one person that you can say anything to, and he/she will not forsake you or hold it against you, rather they will listen and be there to let you get it out- so that you don't walk down the street talking to yourself.
#2 Sometimes you don't want or need an answer. Sometimes there are no answers- and in those situations what you need is a spouse who will just hear you and listen, and hand you a bucket of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ( and take it away when you need someone to save you from yourself).
#3 The fact that your Spouse is NOT your Flesh and Blood is exactly why they can be a good listener. Your spouse Can be that objective outsider looking in and can listen to things you say about your family without feeling personally insulted- hey- it's your crazy family not his-right?!
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