How to cultivate gratitude and appreciation in marriage
Source: Ghanaija
In the heart of the bustling city of Nairobi, Kenya, lived a couple named Amina and Kwame. They met during their university days at Makerere in Uganda and fell in love amidst the vibrant culture and diverse landscapes of East Africa. Amina, with her gentle demeanor and infectious laughter, was from Mombasa, while Kwame, with his strong build and warm smile, hailed from Accra, Ghana. Their love story was one of unity across cultures, but like any marriage, it faced challenges that tested their bond.
As the years passed and their careers blossomed—Amina as a journalist covering stories of resilience across the continent, and Kwame as an engineer building bridges that connected communities—life’s demands sometimes overshadowed their appreciation for each other. They found themselves caught in a whirlwind of deadlines, societal expectations, and the pressures of modern living.
One evening, while sitting on the balcony of their apartment overlooking the Nairobi skyline, Amina shared an article she was writing about gratitude practices in different African cultures. She read aloud about the Ubuntu philosophy in South Africa, where interconnectedness and empathy form the foundation of society. Kwame listened intently, intrigued by how these ancient teachings resonated with their own journey.
Inspired by the article, Amina and Kwame decided to embark on a journey to rediscover gratitude within their marriage. They traveled to Cape Town, where they met Nomusa and Thabo, a couple who ran a community center teaching young children the values of respect and appreciation through storytelling and dance. Nomusa explained how their daily practice of acknowledging each other’s strengths and celebrating small victories strengthened their bond.
From Cape Town, they ventured to Tanzania, where they stayed with a Maasai family in the Serengeti. There, amidst the vast savannah and beneath the starlit sky, they learned about the Maasai tradition of Olonana, which means thankfulness. The elder of the village, Mzee Tembo, shared tales of how gratitude for the land, their cattle, and each other sustained their way of life through generations.
Their journey continued to Ethiopia, where they visited Lalibela, a town renowned for its ancient churches carved into the rock. They met Abebe and Selamawit, who had been married for over fifty years. Abebe, a retired priest, spoke about the importance of prayer and gratitude in their daily lives. Selamawit, with her warm smile and gentle hands, demonstrated how small acts of kindness, like preparing coffee for her husband every morning, nurtured their love.
Returning home to Nairobi, Amina and Kwame implemented what they had learned. They started a gratitude journal, writing down three things they appreciated about each other every day. Amina admired Kwame’s unwavering support during her challenging assignments, while Kwame appreciated Amina’s resilience and her ability to find beauty in the stories she told.
They also began a tradition of cooking meals together, blending the flavors of Mombasa and Accra into dishes that symbolized their unity. Through laughter and sometimes burnt attempts at new recipes, they found joy in the simple act of sharing a meal.
As time passed, their renewed focus on gratitude transformed their marriage. They navigated life’s ups and downs with a deeper understanding and appreciation for each other. When challenges arose, they leaned on the lessons learned from their journey across Africa—finding strength in Ubuntu, thankfulness in Olonana, and the power of small gestures in Lalibela.
Their story spread beyond their circle of friends and family, inspiring others to cultivate gratitude in their own relationships. Amina continued to write, now focusing on stories of love and resilience in marriages across Africa. Kwame took on more projects that promoted sustainable development and community empowerment, inspired by the interconnectedness he had witnessed.
In the heart of Nairobi, amidst the vibrant rhythms of life, Amina and Kwame found that gratitude wasn’t just a feeling but a practice—a journey they embarked on together, weaving the threads of their diverse backgrounds into a tapestry of love and appreciation.
And so, their story continues, a testament to the power of gratitude to strengthen bonds, heal wounds, and ignite the flame of love even amidst life’s challenges.
