I’m sure you have heard the old adage that all relationships should be viewed as a bank account: you have to keep depositing into them to keep them healthy. I like to look at relationships as a bowl of jelly beans, that is so much more fun than money.
We know that we have to keep adding to every one of our relationships to keep them healthy and that every interaction can either add a few jelly beans or take a few away. Simple premise, right? Yes, until you have to figure out where to get more of your own jelly beans. It’s not like you can go to the grocery store for relationship jelly beans and buy a new bag. You have to find ways to keep your personal bowl of jelly beans full.
So, here are some simple ways to keep that bowl full so you feel positive and can continue adding jelly beans to others’ bowls:
- Maintain good relationships. They always keep filling up your bowl.
- Show gratitude for others and simply be grateful in your own thinking.
- Get outside! Walking in nature is healing.
- Have lunch with a friend.
- Finish a task you have been working on.
- Share a good hug.
- Enjoy a smell that brings a happy memory.
- Share an unexpected gift or surprise.
- Listen to your body, it will tell you what it needs.
All of the above, if not done, take jelly beans from your bowl. Just like when you go on a snacking binge and eat all the jelly beans, your reward is a bellyache. We each have the power to listen within ourselves and know what we need; we have to take the time and listen to the signals.
You can’t run on empty, you have to take care of yourself. You have to have a place on your priority list or you will have no jelly beans, and no one wants an empty jelly bean bowl.
