The Gift of Laughter and Listening

Quote: "A Big Belly Laugh A Day Can Keep The Doctor Away"

Any relationship with another human being has its complexities and challenges, but the relationship with your intimate partner - your lover, spouse, spousal equivalent, significant other, or however you refer to this special person - is one of the most complex and challenging of all.

And yet it is easily one of the most rewarding. What is remarkable about a good relationship is that it is not only a gift in itself, but it is also a bearer of gifts. Here, are just 2 gifts that are freely available for both partners in a good and loving relationship:

1. The gift of laughter. Most of us are familiar with those "personals" ads that claim the advertiser is looking for someone with "a good sense of humor." Some of us might roll our eyes, cynically saying that most people care more about a potential partner's looks or income than his or her sense of humor. When it comes right down to it, though, having someone to share a good laugh with is one of life's most precious gifts. And having someone who enjoys and shares your sense of humor is one of the delights of a good relationship. In fact, in an intimate relationship, laughter can be downright sexy.

2. The gift of listening. To have someone who really listens to us is a rare gift, but we often don't appreciate what a gift it is to have someone to whom we can really listen as well. Listening is the best way I know of to learn about another person. I believe that each one of us is a boundless mystery and that we can never even know or understand everything about ourselves - much less another human being. But we can always learn more, and it is that very learning, the continual unfolding of those boundless mysteries that makes such a truly enriching gift. The best way to experience and appreciate this gift is to listen to each other with your full attention.

The next time you have a moment leave your technology outside for the time being. You can always pick it back up after you are done.