What’s Your Relationship Salt and Pepper?

So I had an enlightening conversation with an acquaintance who lives in St. Louis. For me, one of the key takeaways from our conversation was this: Relationships of all kinds, including intimate relationships, are not doing very well under the stress and the strain of this economic downturn (and that’s putting it mildly).

I’ll keep this short, because, one, all the stuff I was going to write, y’all have heard it all before in 50 million ways and don’t need another sermon or long and drawn out blog post to read. So I scrapped most of what I was going to write.

I’ll focus on this point, though. Sometimes,when people are stressed and worried, and feeling lousy, it’s the little things that mean the most. The little things are like salt and pepper. We don’t miss it or pay any attention to those little shakers on the table until we really need it for that extra little dash of flavor or spice to make the food taste better. And when we run out, look out.

So before I hung up the phone with my friend, “I’ve decided to celebrate life.” That was inspiring for me, and certainly something I could relate to. And then it occurred to me that this affirmation was her salt and pepper. She needed to focus on the positive to better digest all the negativity going on around her. I appreciated those words from my friend, and that’s exactly what I plan to do, while I work on trying to figure out exactly what my salt and pepper is.

So: Are you in an intimate relationship? Has it been adversely affected by the economic downturn? If you’re not in a relationship, how are things with friends and family? Are you helping to support a friend or family member who has fallen on hard times? Are you that person being supported? Do you think the relationship will survive? Why or why not? How are you celebrating life despite the hard times?

The price of love: two friends (telegraph.co.uk)
When in doubt, ask yourself this…. (ask.metafilter.com)
Wendy Strgar: The Importance of Boundaries (huffingtonpost.com)

2 thoughts on “What’s Your Relationship Salt and Pepper?”

Each person in an intimate relationship need to learn to carry THE load at different times. And rejoice when neither can carry THE load at the time. A truly intimate relationship flourishes when love keeps redefining how low you will go. Peace.

nycgirlygirl72 says: September 16, 2010 at 3:06 PM

Interesting points, Mark. As my post was speaking to relationships in general, your assertion holds true even when it comes to family and friends. But the reality is, most people are lazy and will take advantage if and when they can. The reality is, most people don’t really know what true love is until it’s gone. These are the times where the wheat is separated from the chaff.

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