Comparisons

Lately I have been feeling somewhat taken for granted in my relationship and a little down on life in general. Nothing too severe, but just a general feeling of sadness I haven't been able to shake. Yet isn't it strange when you talk to someone else about this, how different a perspective they can put your situation in.

I have a friend at work who has been with her partner since she was 19. She is now 30 and they have 2 kids. She has been talking for a while about a friend of his who shows her way too much attention and how she feels general boredom and disatisfaction in her marraige these days. She has thought about leaving her husband and usually paints a pretty bleak picture of him. Then she'll say something that makes me think whoa, how could she even consider leaving him.

A few of us were talking about men and their lack of ability to compliment their partners as often as they should. She said her husband never even told her she was beautiful on the day of their wedding, yet he tells her all the time how beautiful she is in her daggiest house clothes, when she absolutely isn't trying. Personally, I would love my partner to tell me how beautiful I am when I look like utter crap.

Then we were talking about time spent together with our partners. She told me she is jealous of how much time my partner and I spend together outside of work, especially considering how much time his band takes up. That surprised me because she knows very well how unhappy I have been yet she sees something she wishes she had.

It is just fascinating that no matter how bleak your own situation seems at times, there is always someone else out there who sees something positive in your situation and wishes they could trade. Sometimes it pays to look through anothers eyes.