Repeated research studies suggest that gratitude can lead us to healthier lives and actually help 'rewire' our brains for greater happiness. But struggling couples may not be feeling very grateful. Here are some tips about how to find gratitude in your own life and what it can do for your relationship.
A writer in this forum just posted about how important it is to remember the good in our partners. I re-post her thoughts here as well as add my own. I encourage you all to stop and take a moment to post something in this thread that is good about your partner - ADHD or not. Okay, so here is the post that moved me:
Want to read some love letters? I like to be even handed, so I asked the ADHD spouses in my last couples course to tell me what they love about their non-ADHD spouse. Here is what some said:
One of the things I love about my own spouse is his empathy, generosity and warmth. Is this related to his ADHD? I’m not sure, though I do observe that if they don’t have specific anger issues, many of ADHD spouses I work with have very generous spirits. Sometimes they act on that generosity in a way that warms others…sometimes they don’t…which makes them pretty much like the non-ADHD around us. Regardless, generosity of spirit, if you spouse possesses it, is something to celebrate. Here is “what I love about my ADHD spouse” part 2:
There are lots of extra challenges in many households this time of year – but there is opportunity for growth and love, too. Here’s my idea to make this year’s holiday season happier and easier – seek and celebrate the gifts you already have.
