Your 1st Business!
Jun 11, 2023
On June 9th, my beautiful wife and I celebrated 23 years of marriage! I was inspired to share a few things with my friends and followers. I believe we are seeing the degradation of marriage as an institution and something to be desired. We allow failed marriages of leaders, celebrities, and families to discourage us. I understand how that can shape your views and even your own experiences. I liken it to macaroni and cheese. It's not for everyone, but most people have become fond of it over their lifetime. Different parts of the country and world make it different. If you try some and you don't like it, does it mean you won't like all macaroni and cheese? If you visit several homes and restaurants and end up disappointed, does that mean you denounce it everywhere for everyone?
We're all human, so we will all make mistakes and fall short of perfection. There is no perfect marriage. How do I know that? It's never been defined? We get overwhelmed and stressed about an abstract idea no one lives up to. Marriage is a journey, like life; two become one, so it is a life's journey with your spouse. This is relevant for leaders, business owners, and entrepreneurs. Our home, our family, is our first business! You can manage, build, grow, and reap the benefits of your labor. If one can not manage their family well, how well will they manage a business? Your personal and family values are not restricted to your home. They show up at work too. One thing I've worked on is being a better person at home and with my family than I am in public. My family sincerely cares about who I am and wants to see me succeed. Below are my thoughts on my marriage after 23 years; I would love to hear yours. I believe we can all benefit from diverse wisdom and experience.
Marriage was created by God and symbolized His relationship with us. Marriage is loving someone more than yourself. It's the only way to serve, love, and sacrifice at the highest level. To focus on each other's needs more than your own. When both are committed, you'll find your needs are met unselfishly. Love still works, and so does marriage. It works if you work at it diligently with God's principles of unconditional love. In the beginning, we had no clue and made many mistakes. This summarizes what we've learned so far in the first 23 years. My wife asked me the morning of our anniversary with the biggest smile, "Can you do another 23?" I graciously replied, absolutely! Let's normalize healthy marriages, young marriages, old marriages, and commitment beyond our personal desires.