"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Sunday, May 24, 2009

To be or not to be enthusiastic . . .

I'm on a new topic today. A new question.

Do you think relationships need enthusiasm?

I looked up what enthusiasm meant - eager, interest, gusto, zeal, zest, passion, fervor, keenness, hobby, past time, pursuit, favorite activity, leisure, pursuit, . . . . The opposite of enthusiasm is apathy.

If one person is enthusiastic and the other person is not, what happens to that relationship? In a friendship for example - what happens if one friend is more enthusiastic than the other friend? Can the friendship survive - or does it really exist in the first place?

What about in marriage? What if one partner is more 'enthusiastic' than the other partner? Is that one cause of marriage breakdown? Is that what taking each other for granted means? Then good ole life and it's challenges get in the way. Of course add stress. Kids. Finances. All the stressed mound up and is that when apathy sets in? Avoidance?

Relationships are work, they take time and take effort. You have to make time don't you? Let me ask you - if it feels like a relationship is hard work - is it really a relationship? If it's a good relationship then is it easy to show enthusiasm?

I received this about enthusiasm and it got me to thinking-

This is from:dailycelebrations@yahoogroups.com; on behalf of; _lei_aloha_lei_aloha@yahoo.com]
dailycelebrations@yahoogroups.com

"Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your objective. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Add enthusiasm into what you do today and see what happens. Take the advice of philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), enthusiasm = greatness.

From the Greek adjective "enthous," which means, "possessed or inspired by God," enthusiasm means living life with passion and zeal. Showing eager interest, speaking with honest fervor. Putting yourself, who you are out there in all your rich colors of beauty.

"Vitality!" exclaimed dynamo actress Katharine Hepburn. "that's the pursuit of life, isn't it?"

Enthusiasm born of confidence, generates confidence... and credibility.

"Enthusiasm moves the world," claimed former English Prime Minister A.J. Balfour. Relationships are forged, you learn more, teams are built and excel with the spirit of enthusiasm.

Don't underestimate the power of enthusiasm; it's your personal power stamp. The positive energy is remarkable and contagious.

In concert, Bruce Springsteen infuses red hot enthusiasm into his audience with his utter, obvious, untiring joy while performing.

Take a chance, push it out with gusto! As writer Tennessee Williams once said, "Enthusiasm is the most important thing in life."

~~Do it with all your might... " From Daily Celebrations

Well I want to feel enthusiastic about something. I will admit that the last couple of months have taken a toll on me. I think losing both parents on the same day didn't take as much a toll on me than this wedding thing has. I feel I aged ten years. Of course I'm in a different place now than I was then . . . I'm tired.

I need to really start taking better care of myself. Relationships need enthusiasm to be good. What about the realationship you have with yourself? Do you have an enthusiastic relationship with yourself?

Being enthusiastic about myself - yourself - is a good place to start . . .

Thinking deeply about friends, family, and self.
Chatty

3 comments:

Olde Dame Penniwig said...

Now if yer quoting Williams, remember this one, spoken by the character Tom in The Glass Menagerie: "I was attempting to find in motion what was lost in space."

Well, it wasn't working all that great for him, but I think it is a valuable plan and tactic after a shock like you had: Keep on yer feet, keep moving. "You can't hit a moving target."

ENTHUSIASM is the key, indeed. But hard to find it after a shock. Nonetheless, you must find it. Watch out for things that will hold you back and divert you (such as revenge) from a forward path. Whether you realize it or not, you've already had your best revenge on that jilting jerk. He lost out on your daughter, on being part of a good family, on a noble burden of fatherhood, and he HIMSELF took himself out of the ranks of righteous persons. So the worst revenge has been visited upon him, by his own hand.

I think that if love is present -- here I'm talking about the idea of enthusiasm in marriage -- then enthusiasm is automatically there. Otherwise, something is wrong somewhere.

ClassyChassy said...

YEAH---- PENNIWIG! GO GIRL!

^..^Corgidogmama said...

Sheesh...don't know if I can fathom these deep thoughts of yours girl!
Vitality, enthusiasm, are seriously lacking in my personal relationship..it is better, when there is some.
It's hard to touch without trust..hard to trust without touch.
Things not getting done, things criticized, things not getting noticed, or appreciated break down good feelings...which affects trust, which affects touch. On and on the cycle goes, breaking down a relationship day by day, word by word. Sigh....
hard to work up enthusiasm sometimes.