I came home today from work and it was raining. I asked Heather if she took our dog out and exercised her before it started raining – she replied in the negative. After a few minutes, it looked like the weather was clearing up as it was just sprinkling. So, I took Ramsey (our golden retriever, pictured to the left) and her Zogoflex Zisc (frisbee) and started throwing it for her. She, in her retrieverness, faithfully brought it back to me to throw again (she loves that game). She’s never really liked my throwing balls as much as chasing her frisbee.
During the course of our play, the rain started driving harder and harder until it was a full-on rain shower. My naturally conventional side said that I should head in quickly to get out of the rain; yet, a fun exciting side emerged and encouraged me to stay out and play – even if it is in the rain. “Why can’t you play in the rain?” I thought to myself… and I didn’t have a good answer – so, Ramsey and I had a blast playing in the rain. It’s a time that I will not long forget. She was drenched from head to toe and after we came back inside of the house, I toweled her off as if giving her a spa treatment. We had a great time – apparently, she loves playing frisbee in the rain.
If you are prone to conventionalism, take some time to learn the power of “yes” and “why not?” It’s easy to fall into old habits and old ways of doing things – and not that that is all bad; however, it can be limiting.
So, what does this have to do with relationships? When you are out with your boyfriend or girlfriend, do you ever “play in the rain?” Meaning… do you ever do activities together out of the ordinary just to have some fun and excitement? Dating life at the beginning with a new boyfriend or girlfriend can be exciting because it is new and fresh; however, over time, if the couple continues to do the same thing repeatedly without any infusion of variety, it can encourage stagnation in the relationship.
Some people are naturally home-sitters and enjoy doing the same thing repeatedly – and that’s okay. But even for them (or you – if that’s you!), it’s important to get out every now and then and bring some spice into your activities. Here are some ideas:
- Buy flowers and give them to random people on the street who look like they need a “pick-me-up.”
- If purse strings are not tight, try a three- to five- course meal… each course at a different restaurant (soup, salad, appetizers, main entree, dessert).
- Lay trash bags on the floor and eat spaghetti together with your hands.
- Color pictures together — find a fun coloring book or print coloring book pages off of the Internet.
- Visit garage sales — travel around your neighborhood on a Saturday morning and visit the garage sales.
Ideas are endless! During this time of dating, it is important to figure out what you both enjoy doing together. These experiences will play a large part in your deciding what to do after you are married and are looking for something fun to do with your spouse – so, start early and be adventurous and a little crazy… you’ll make memories that will last a lifetime.
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