This morning I woke up and for some reason I was clear that I was going to spend the day remembering to focus on the positive. What I meant was in general, but then it got me thinking: How often do we focus on the positive in our RELATIONSHIPS?
I know it’s not natural. Our nervous systems are still made so that we notice what is wrong instead of what is right. That’s because they haven’t caught up to the way our lives are now. Nowadays, we don’t have to worry so much about running into a Saber Tooth Tiger. But we DO have to concern ourselves with how our relationships are going, if we want them to continue happily.
This could be for you even if you aren’t in a romantic relationship. Apply it to ALL your relationships either way- work, friendships, service people, you name it. All relationships can benefit from some positivity!
Positive Appreciation Builds Healthy Relationships
You might think that’s a lot, but that’s what’s required for a healthy relationship. Remember the universal law that what we focus our attention on grows; maybe this will give you some motivation to give more compliments and appreciations!
Maybe you think you can only see a lot of negatives about your partner (or friend) right now. Know that appreciations can be about the “little things” too. Your person doesn’t have to have won the Nobel Prize to be worthy of your compliments. You could appreciate your partner’s outfit, the way they cuddle you before bed, the soup they made, or the way they rub your shoulders.
Positive Appreciation Becomes a Habit
This means that the more you look for things to appreciate and give those appreciations, the more natural it will become. Right now it may be more natural for you to look at your person and (at least inwardly) roll your eyes. I know. We are all human and we’re not perfect. But the more we choose to notice and speak to what is going well, the more likely that will happen naturally in the future.
You may even start to hear more appreciations coming your way, too!
Published on: 12/26/2025