Marriage on a Monday

Mornings, Mondays, and the New Year.

There is so much in common between the three.

Mornings and Mondays bring the opportunity to start anew.

A new day. A new week. The chance to start anew can be riveting!

And of course, the month of January, the New Year, the biggest and most commercialized "new start!"

For many, the New Year represents a time for resolutions and plans for the upcoming year. 

For relinquishing habits and starting new hobbies. To accomplishing goals and visiting new places. Renewing friendships, activities and/or beliefs, committing to something different for the year to come. On a personal level, I thrive when given the opportunity to start fresh, to renew myself from within and taking a deep dive into what works and what doesn't. However, I have never really been into New Year's resolutions. For me, they don't necessarily work. Maybe it is because I choose to resolve things throughout the year, I don't discriminate. Maybe because I take each month as a time to reflect- to relish in gratitude and set new goals. When creating resolutions for the year, it can be defeating when faced with failure rather than accomplishing a years long task.

For some, there is a word for the year, a touchstone- a trigger of awareness and a sense of purpose. For me, I think rather than dictate a whole year to one word, I would rather focus a word to my marriage.

If having a word for the year is good, wouldn't you think it would be just as beneficial to your marriage? 

And the best part, it doesn't have to be chosen at the start of the new year, no, you can pick and choose whenever, wherever!

This could be means to a great conversation or a meaningful conversation between you and your partner. Perhaps it is triggered by a meaningful date like the birth of a child or the anniversary of your first date. It can be an excellent way to get a pulse on your relationship and a way to determine where each of you thinks your marriage is strong, and in what areas it could be stronger.

While the possibilities are endless, and the choice should be unique to you and your marriage, here are some ideas to get your gears turning!

Adapt	Explore	Loyalty
Alignment	Experience	Memories
Appreciate	Evolve	Mindful
Authentic	Faith	Openness
Awareness	Fairness	Overcome
Balance	Forgive	Passion
Boundaries	Family	Present
Build	Focus	Priority
Celebrate	Flourish	Reflect
Challenge	Full Circle	Release
Cherish	Fun	Rekindle
Clarity	Gentle	Reward
Compromise	Generous	Resolve
Communication	Grounded	Restore
Commitment	Gratitude	Share
Consistency	Happiness	Simplify
Conquer	Harmony	Strength
Deliberate	Hear	Success
Dream	Heal	Touch
Determination	Hope	Thrive
Enjoy	Intentional	Trust
Elevate	Inspire	Understanding
Engage	Improve	Union
Embrace	Intimacy	Value

What word(s) would you add to this list??

Which ones resonate with you?? 

For me and my marriage, we are focused on being DELIBERATE.

To have an intentional marriage where we are conscious and deliberately maintaining and continuing to build our connection. I look forward to sharing more about our marriage and our journey for the weeks to come! I am not an expert in the field, but I am proud to be with the same man, as I was at 18. As a newly graduated high school student, to nearing 30 and parenting two amazing little boys, we have come so far and I am proud of the marriage we have and the relationship we share!!

Here's to stronger marriages this year!!

XO, Kelleen