#Monomad Challenge - Side by Side

Good afternoon, #Monomad friends

Here is my entry for the #monomad contest by @brumest and @monochromes.

Life as a couple seems to be simply easier. Not only because tasks can be divided and shared, but also because joys are multiplied.

There are, however, some trade-offs. We give up a part of our own life. Something that doesn’t make us any less valid or valuable, but rather something that the other person knows how to bring out. We give up time, attention, and dedication. And wisdom. And all that time and sacrifice is returned by the other person. And more is built.

Side by side... this is how we look at life differently. At the world. And even at ourselves. We may be able to clearly assess our difficulties, but we rarely see and list our qualities.

Have you ever had a frank conversation with someone else about yourselves? If you ever have the chance to talk about this with someone you feel comfortable with, do it. I promise you won’t regret it.

It’s not easy, however, to hear about our weaknesses, our “flaws,” and our shortcomings from someone else. We have to be open to criticism, which in this case should be understood as something to be used to our advantage—and to the advantage of the relationship. At that moment, we gain an outside perspective that can reveal more details than we were aware of.

Learn to use each other to grow as a couple. To help each other grow as well. Only then does a life together have meaning and value. Not everything will be a “bed of roses,” as is obvious, but if you have the courage to face the challenges that are placed before each of you—by the other, by life, or even the challenges that life presents to both of you—I guarantee that in the end, it will certainly be worth it.

This was my reflection for today, inspired by the photo of the couple in hats, who stand so serenely side by side, shoulder to shoulder, which struck a chord with me.

And this thought also reminded me of a song I really love by a Portuguese artist named Samuel Úria. The song is called “Carga de Ombro.” Let the music lull you into a peaceful state and have a wonderful weekend.