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Do Unto Others...As They Want to Be Done Unto
by Linda Larsen, CSP
© Copyright 2000

I couldn't understand it. I gave my husband John, these really cool cards the first year that we were married. You know the kind that are romantic and funny and clever. I gave him one every couple of weeks thinking that he would be so thrilled to get them. I was sure that would keep every one of them and look at them daily so that he could be reminded of how much he was loved.

Wrong. Now, I'm sure he appreciated them - but they didn't float his boat. You see, I love getting cards, so I naturally assumed that he would, too. And it's assumptions like that, that sometimes blow the Golden Rule theory.

When I realized that I was making some erroneous assumptions, I decided to take decisive action. You might want to try the following idea with your sweetheart, as well.

I gave John three 8x10 pieces of paper. Each had one of the following headings:
1. Things That Make Me Really Happy
2. Things I Would Love to Own in My Lifetime
3. Things I Would Love to Do in My Lifetime

I asked him to write down as many things as he could possibly think of on all three sheets.

It was amazing. Those three sheets give me direct access to his deepest wishes, desires, hopes and dreams. And they are a tremendous source of ideas for gifts for holidays and birthdays! Whenever I need to be reminded of what makes him happy, I can find some of the most simple, elegant things on those lists. Things that will enable me to put that wonderful smile on his face.

Now, you see, I know what makes HIM happy and what HE loves. Oh, and by the way, after I had him do his lists, he enjoyed it so much, he asked me if I would make those lists for him, so the he would know what makes me happy.
It's a really cool system. Of course there are a couple of things that I do wonder about. Under "Things I Would Like to Own," there were two items that stood out for me:
1. I would like to own a car lift.
2. I would like to own a new car - to lift.

Well, we'll work on the car. The lift - I'm not too sure about.

Word count: 394

Tag line: Linda Larsen, CSP, helps individuals think strategically, communicate effectively, and celebrate success. She is an international keynote speaker, trial consultant and author of the book, True Power, and the best selling audio program, 12 Secrets to High Self-Esteem. She can be reached at www.lindalarsen.com or 941-927-4700.

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