Episode Details

Today we look at an analogy of hiking with an uncomfortable shoe and how it relates to being in a marriage while experiencing a health challenge. Watch the show here.

If you'd like personal support, please reach out to me.

Take Aways

•  A health challenge can throw a wrench in so many areas of a marriage that it can cause the marriage to want to collapse and decay. 
• Bad stuff is going to happen sometimes.
• Hiking analogy. 
• How does having an uncomfortable shoe affect the experience would have on a hike? 
• Just as an uncomfortable shoe lessens the overall good and amplifies any bad of a hiking experience, a health challenge can lessen the overall good and amplify the bad of your marriage experiences.
• Specific guidance on what to do: 

1. Recognize when this is happening...the NON-rose colored glasses of illness are shaping the view you have of your marriage.
2. Talk with your spouse. Share concerns about how this illness is affecting your thoughts about your marriage.
3. Apologize for actions you take that are not in-line with who you want to be. Actions taken from annoyance/discomfort/anger (even if it's because of your health challenge).
4. Listen to your spouse's concerns and ideas. Together, look for ideas to improve your marriage during this difficult time.
5. Do enjoyable things together!
6. Take pictures during good times. Print them and display them in your home where you will see them often.
7. Give and receive grace and compassion. 
8. Give compliments to your spouse.
9. Recognize the good they do and tell them verbally (out loud) that you appreciate it. Be specific when possible.
10. Hug and hold one another.
11. Bite your tongue when you want to say something mean or want to challenge a compliment they've given you.

• This is your challenge right now, but they may go through a health challenge later. Your child may go through one later. Gaining skills to handle this challenge will bless you and your family now and maybe later too. 

Want more support? ❤️Click here to talk with me. I'm currently offering a free 20 minute consultation call to help you get clear on where you are and how to get to a better place. 

Free resources:

• Heidi's website
• Heidi's Instagram

Music 

• Music- Island Breeze by Surf House Productions | https://surf-house-productions.bandcamp.com 
• Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com