Why is there pumpkin spice flavor in everything?
From lattes to cereal, yogurt to rice cakes, this popular flavor, which actually has no pumpkin in it, seems to be everywhere this time of year. (If you don’t believe us, then check out this ranking of 124 pumpkin spice products.)
Flavors and smells can evoke strong memories. Perhaps the popularity of pumpkin spice is tied to the way you feel when your subconscious mind is reliving the joy of holidays past.
Pumpkin pie spice is actually incredibly simple. There are only four ingredients. Cinnamon. Nutmeg. Ginger. Allspice. You can check out a recipe here.
That’s it. Just a few simple things put together in the right way take a fairly simple holiday pie to the next level. To be sure, the whole pumpkin spice craze is designed to elevate the flavor of coffee and a jillion other things.
This principle applies to marriage.
Focus on a few simple things (simple, but not not necessarily easy) and you will add sweet and spicy flavor and take your marriage to the next level.
- Choose to invest in your marriage. This choice is the number one ingredient that will sweeten things between you and your spouse. Make your relationship a priority. After your relationship with God, your spouse should be the most important person in the world to you. Make sure they know that. And remember that actions speak louder than words.
- Discover the chief obstacles that come between you. Then work to lessen their negative impact on your marriage. This will take both nurture and accountability. So cultivate friendships with other couples who place a high value on healthy marriage.
- Zero in on healthy marriage habits. What are you doing to learn and put into practice great habits that strengthen your marriage? Are you learning to meet your spouse’s deepest needs? Do you know how to handle your differences in a way that encourages you both to grow? Like a secret sauce, healthy marriage habits both nourish your relationship and add flavor.
- Make time to enjoy each other – often. Schedule regular time to do nothing but be with each other and focus on your relationship. Some people suggest one day a week, one weekend a month, and one week a year. That may not be realistic in all seasons of life, but the important thing is to plan times for you and your spouse to grow closer, and make wonderful memories together.
- Understand what resources are available to you. Marriage Dynamics has plenty of resources available to help strengthen your marriage. Check out our courses and workshops at www.marriagedynamics.com. Spend time praying together. Choose a marriage book to read together. Attend a workshop. Take a course. Your marriage is worth it.
There you have it. A few simple ingredients to add delightful flavor to your marriage. And these ideas are easy to mix in to your relationship in any season!
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