Let’s face it…it’s in our nature to be selfish. And our society sure knows how to fuel that. We expect instant results, instant gratification and instant service. Just about anything we want is at our disposal.
So we have to be careful that we don’t take that into our marriages. One important component to a happy, successful marriage is selflessness. But I’m afraid that it’s not something we see demonstrated very often, so we may be unsure what that exactly looks like.
To be selfless is to be the opposite of selfish. So it might include giving in on some things. Of course, this doesn’t mean you become a doormat to be walked all over. Nor does it mean you can never have your way. Hopefully your marriage is or can become the kind that learns how to compromise. But to get there, someone has to be willing to step out and begin to live selflessly.
Do you spend more time thinking about yourself? Do you think about all the ways your spouse could be making you happier? Do you think you are always right? This is not living selflessly.
I think one of the greatest fears we have in being selfless is that we will be taken advantage of. Could that happen? Yes, it certainly could. But we sometimes have to take risks in relationships, in order to enjoy the benefits.
Despite what the world tells us…things like “Have it your way” (yes, that’s a Burger King ad)…we have to be willing to see our marriage in a different light. It is not about having our way, getting what we want every time and focusing on our needs. Marriage is about the other person and what you can do to make him/her happy.
I guarantee you that you will get more satisfaction out of being a selfless person than you will in having everything you want at your fingertips. It leaves you with a good feeling when you love your spouse selflessly.
Related Article:
Are You Putting Other Things Before Your Husband’s Happiness?
Do You Speak Your Husband’s Love Language?
Showing Appreciation to Your Spouse
Photo by Muffet in Flickr