I stumbled across this phrase recently in a book called The Love Dare. My husband and I bought it last summer because we heard it was an awesome marriage book, but we just hadn't gotten around to reading it until recently.
Without giving too much of a spoiler alert, this chapter was about keeping our wits about us and being, well just that, a calming breeze, versus a volcano waiting to erupt. Learning to handle situations with suave and patience, not sudden drama and rage.
That phrase really got stuck in my head. Is my presence soothing and pleasant to my husband? It is delightful to others around me? So I decided to make an intentional effort to make sure that I'm a "calming breeze." Here's what I resolved to do:
Save the drama for times that really need it.
Not everything is a life or death situation. AKA Practice Emotional Self-Control.
Break up with stress.
Don't let stress be a third wheel in the relationship. Do more things that make you happy and don't overload your plate with life. It's okay to say "no."
Watch the snowball effect.
Keep a series of bad events from continuing when you get home by letting it go. Make sure the hubby isn't catching the blunt of your bad attitude because of something that happened at work. Talk it out. Hug it out. Eat some ice cream. Let it go.
Be self-less.
Unconditional love says “I love you. Period.” It loves wholeheartedly without expecting anything back. It gives with joy and always seeks the good.
Let love win.
Push pride aside and forgive. Let love cover the wrongs.
Let me tell you, it hasn't always been easy! The Puerto Rican blood in me boils fast and I love to speak my mind. I'm also the queen of exaggerating and drama filled phrases. ("It's a bajillion degrees outside!")
We've all been in a place when words flew out of our mouths faster than the speed of light, full of passion and hurtful daggers. Afterwards, we find ourselves regretting what we said, and there is a wounded trail of hearts in the room.
Since I’ve been practicing these things, I’ve seen a change in myself. The stresses of life and the little things that annoy me haven't necessarily changed, but how I’m reacting to them has. I love every bit of it.
We are amazing creatures with the ability to choose and change, with God’s help. We don’t have to stay the way we are. We control our fuse, our fuse doesn't us. Let's practice making fuses last a little longer. Take a sip of fresh air and chase those storms away, and enjoy the calming breeze.
Xo,
Rachel
