Sacrificing for Your Spouse

The alarm is going off. You hate the sound. You hate that it’s morning. You roll over and your spouse is clinging to the bed even tighter than you are.

Neither of you want to get up. You both know neither of you are going to like what awaits. Nevertheless, one of you nudges the other, forcing the other to face the day first. How cruel? However, the nudger doesn’t care, all they think of is their own pain and suffering. Not because the nudger is selfish, well let’s hope not, it’s just…misery loves company.

Dishes don’t get done, laundry is piling up and the house is a mess. Neither of you want to do anything after you come home from work. You two argue, fight and blame the other person for not keeping up with their chores. You guys haven’t gone out on a date. Who know the last time you two had sex, and even if there is a memory, it wasn’t enjoyable.

You hate him. He hates you. You both think, life’s a bitch and then you die.

The truth of the matter is, if a person isn’t living a purpose-filled life, a life that is rewarding, they won’t be happy with anything they do or with anyone whom they are with. It’s time to make some sacrifices for the team, which will lead to a better quality life for both spouses. Know, what I’m about to suggest is by no means meant to be taken as the cure to every bad relationship, just a way to help spouses each live your best quality life.

Sacrificing for your spouse is in essence, helping one another achieve a career dream, one person at time.

Step 1: Both of you need to convey to the other, the type of career which would make each happy. Tell one another the type of career each would love to have that will bring joy and make one knock the other person out the bed, due to anticipating the start of a perfect day.
Step 2: Mutually decide if it is financially feasible for both to transition to the dream career. However, if you have to focus on one at a time, which I suspect would be the case, decide whose career interest would take the shortest amount of time, money, experience or education to transition into.
Step 3: For the person selected, start the career transition process. The person delaying their dream career may have to add a part-time job to help out the team, if there is a reduction of income in the household.
Step 4: As that person has successfully transitioned into their dream career and earning a living from it, it’s time for the switch to help the other along on their journey.

For the spouse sacrificing for the other’s career goal, remember to be supportive along the way. Don’t be jealous that you still hate your job and your spouse is pursuing a career they love. Be loving and understanding. Know that your turn is coming.

While you wait, your spouse is going to become happier than in the past. He or she will be more patient, loving and giving, thus meeting your needs better than ever before because they have walked a mile or two in your shoes, with your sacrifice, was able to trade up for a better pair. Hopefully, they won’t trade up on you as well!