All of My Days

Whether The Bold and the Beautiful, One Life to Live, or Days of Our Lives, I bet at some point you have checked out or even become enthralled with some of television’s sassiest soap operas.  Don’t deny it…even House sneaks in a break to catch his show.

So, what is it that makes them so captivating and causes millions to stay tuned in for decades? 

What is it about television daytime drama that we can relate to?

I certainly hope for most of us that it isn’t the eight husbands and eleven marriages that Susan Lucci has had on All My Children!

Here are my theories directly linked to the titles of the shows:

The Young and the Restless

We desire the days of limited responsibilities and can be so restless in our relationships and current life situations.  We are jonesing for more and better times. 

What is the void leaving us restless and unsatisfied despite all our efforts?

The Bold and the Beautiful

Oh, to be beautiful like those models in the magazines and television, courageously outspoken, drawing the attention and adoration of others.  Acceptance!

We were not made to look like a photo that has been digitally edited to unrealistic expectations.  

Who will accept me for who I am today?

One Life to Live

No regrets and no time to be unhappy.  If it is not working for me, then move on without effort to analyze the roots.

Stop and assess.  Be mindful.  Sprinting for happiness in another location will only lead to a marathon.  

Where can I turn?

All My Children

We get married, have kids, get divorced, have kids, and we are one big blended family.

This is not easy stuff.  What we create today is passed down in generations.  

Whose child am I and what should I teach my children?

Days of Our Lives

Never a dull moment.  Drama, drama, drama. 

One tragedy or lie builds on another and it can become a snowball effect.  This is exhausting!

Who will walk beside me all of my days?

As the World Turns

There is something out there to focus on other than me.  Some of the true reasons for all day time drama success-ESCAPE.

Where can I find peace?

Yes, I know, I left out General Hospital…I am truly stumped.

But, I do know the Ultimate Healer and resource for answers to all of these questions.  

Do you? 

Taming of Your Shrew

In light of the month of luv, I wanted to dedicate some time to relationships.

Today, I opened my bible and found two tickets to the Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare.  These tickets are symbolic for two reasons: one, a rare date experience that my husband and I shared now that we have children and two, this play was extremely insightful-an unexpected revelation into relationships.

Have you ever seen this play?  High level overview: Girl is not the warmest and friendliest, but man falls in love anyway.  Girl and man get married.  Girl and man butt heads.  Man uses a little reverse psychology.  Girl softens.  Couple lives happily.

Yes, the woman in this story is the shrew and Shakespeare is speaking to his audience about wifely obedience, but I am broadening this scope here for a moment.

So what is a shrew?  A shrew is a mammal that looks somewhat like a long nosed mouse.  They are known to be fiercely territorial creatures that drive off rivals, only coming together with other shrews to mate.  So in quick, they are not social butterflies nor cuddly creatures.

Ever feel that you are living with a shrew?  Think you may be one?

Well, unlike these mammals, we are made for intimacy with a heavenly father and with each other.  We may each desire different levels of interaction at different times, but we are not made to be territorial with our emotions or our space.

Is this how you interact with those in which you have a relationship?  Do you bite the hand that reaches out to you?  Do you react to a bite with another bite?

First know that you cannot tame your partner and I don't recommend reverse psychology as a rule, but you can work on yourself which will in turn impact your relationship and open new doors for your partner to enter.

If you want to give your partner a real gift this Valentines Day, assess where you are in relation to a shrew.  Begin to recognize the number of times you turn toward your partner in appreciation versus frustration.  Make an effort to ensure that the percentage of times you speak to your partner in love and affection far exceed that in which you lash out.  And, for everyone's sake, no biting!