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| These are called Mountain Dulcimers or Lap Dulcimers. They are lovely, handcrafted instruments with a beautifully haunting sound. |
Since we had to drive nearly half-way across our state, two of our neighboring Dulcimer Groups chose to car pool and "convoy" up there. We had so much fun during the drive up there and back that my ribs are still aching from laughing so much and so hard! (On the way home, we all agreed that we need to do road trips much more often!)
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| Even normal gas stations can be Beautiful! If you notice, most businesses have beautiful landscaping and lovely flowers. You just have to SEE the beauty surrounding you every moment in every day! |
Anyway, yesterday morning, during the ride to the Workshop, I noticed how much one of our married couples complement one another. (***Note - Compl-E-ment, not compl-I-ment.... Although they do compliment each other at times, they complement each other all the time!).
Definition of Compliment and Complement:
- Compliment - with an I -an expression of esteem, respect, affection or admiration
- Complement - with an E - something that fills up, completes, or makes perfect
(Completes or Makes Perfect! WOW!)
This particular couple truly works together as a team; they COMPLETE one another! If one has a weakness in some area, the other fills in. For example, when HE began to have severe neck pain, SHE began turning HER head to inform him what was going on behind him! When SHE decided to play the Hammered Dulcimer, which is very heavy, HE began carrying it for her. When HE offers to teach a certain technique on the dulcimer, SHE copies the music and charts, brings them to the meeting, and hands them out at the right time. When SHE runs out of iced tea, HE refills her glass. When HE is called away to work during dulcimer class time, SHE takes over the teaching for that day. The most important part of this teamwork is that they don't have to ask for help. They watch each other and give help freely, without a grudge and without being asked! This complementing isn't limited to weaknesses. It also includes supporting each other's strengths and interests. When playing songs on the mountain dulcimer, HE loves doing extra riffs and runs, so SHE provides the solid, basic song, keeping the beat and allowing him the freedom to creatively express himself. I could list hundreds of examples, but I'm sure you get the idea. They work so well together that their names almost always come out as one word. It's hard to even think of one without the other, sort of like Bonnie and Clyde!
Since I had complementing on my mind, I started thinking about other friends and their spouses and how they interact. I quickly realized that my high school friends who married someone who complements them are still together, even 30 years later! Those supportive actions seem to have allowed them to grow closer together over the years. However, those who fell for someone who simply complimented them (flattering words without supporting actions) didn't stay married for long. Actions definitely speak louder than words!!!
I looked around at my friends in the van, and I realized that the positive effects of people who complement each other aren't limited to married couples. Most of the people that I choose to spend time with complement me in some way. I feel better when I'm around these supportive people. I enjoy spending time with them and after I've spent time around them, I leave feeling better about myself than I did before I saw them. Complementary friendships definitely make me "happy."
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