the marion house book

Love was my intention for February and I’ve done alright. Not a perfect 10 by any means.

Giving up sugar for a month was a goal I had to stare in the face everyday. Whenever I opened up the cupboard or walked down a grocery aisle or ordered a morning coffee I was faced with my challenge and had to make a conscious decision to walk away.

Love on the other hand is elusive. You can give it or take it as you need, when you want or as you desire.

Here is what I accomplished and didn’t accomplish on my list:

• make dates with my husband (at least two) – NO
• make time for my friends - YES
  
• spend a special day with each child on their own  - YES
• give daily proofs of love – SOME OF THE TIME
• make an effort to think about what I say before I say it – SOME OF THE TIME
  
• read a good love story ( I need your suggestions here) – NO
• be generous – SOME OF THE TIME
• make a big chocolate cake and invite friends over to eat it! – NO

Looking back trying to make two dates with my husband in a short month was a bit of a stretch but we could have tried to get out of the house once. Of course sick children can put a damper on those kinds of activities. I did spend some time with each child on their own. I  made a conscious effort to say yes to every invitation that came my way and tried to make time for my friends whenever I could. Of course, I wasn’t perfect in this regard but I did try to make more of an effort. I haven’t got around to picking up any of the love stories you recommended but I hope to carry that activity into March. I’m thinking of giving Sebastian Faulks Birdsong a try. I will also get around to the chocolate cake party. I promise!

The one intention that did stick in my mind was to be generous. I think this partly has to do with Gretchen Rubin’s book, The Happiness Project. In it she speaks of how being generous can be as simple as paying someone a compliment, or giving them your time or full attention. On a daily basis, I tried to keep this at the forefront of my mind. If I wan’t successful in other parts of my love project I hope I was at least successful here.

Of course, I still have a few more days to make some of my resolutions a reality. Maybe I can still sneak in one date with my husband!