I know that this stretch of Who Moved My Cheese “lessons” may well get to you, because I have FOUR posts dedicated to them, but I just had to make a disclaimer before I give you the Cliff’s Notes of its principles for next week.
Cheese, in Who Moved My Cheese, is a metaphor for anything in life that gives security. The book is all about adapting to change. As applied to relationships, there is a danger for people to take it the wrong way. So before I give you the Cliff’s Notes of the Who Moved My Cheese parable, let me explain how its principles could be applied to Moldy Cheese Relationships.
You may be in an abusive relationship, a toxic one, or one in which the love is already dead. You may want to get out, or the Who Moved My Cheese book, or just the coming Cliff’s Notes of it will inspire you to get out of the relationship. But wait. Adapting to change, or Moving With the Cheese may not exactly mean letting go of the relationship.
Even the book’s discussion notes that one could actually just change “stale and moldy” attitudes and behavior, those that had killed or allowed the relationship to stagnate.
Do not be quick to divorce just because your wife seems to have lost her fire for you or vice versa. Maybe the little offenses and little acts of neglect or the inconsiderate actions of your spouse have led you to be bitter about your relationship. Instead of being quick to leave, ask yourself, “Is the relationship worth saving?” If it is, maybe there are just attitudes or patterns that you need to change, or ask the help of with changing.
If you want to keep the person, but let go of the attitudes that killed the love for the person, by all means, do so. Do not hesitate to seek out a licensed marriage counselor. A lot of marital patterns need outside help, in order to help the individuals with changing these. If you want to seek your church’s pastor, do so. If you don’t want all those years to go to waste, do not be quick to get a divorce attorney.
Remember that this life is not about possessions. It’s about relationships, and love. Without either, all your work will be in vain.
Next up, the Cliff’s Notes for Who Moved My Cheese!
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