Relationships are multi-faceted. Nothing is ever just one way. Thinking about your relationships of the present or past, what mathematical symbol portrays your partner’s character? Let’s quickly review the signs. There are four basic operations of mathematics- addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Addition is finding the sum or total of two or more combined numbers. Subtraction is to reduce or take away one number from another number or group of things. Multiplication is repeated addition. Last, we have division, which is breaking a number into smaller equal pieces. That’s our math lesson for today. So, what mathematical symbol describes your partner?
First, let’s apply those mathematical terms to relationships. Does your partner or significant other add to you and the relationship? Otherwise, does he complement you? Whereas you did well alone, do you now have an addition to your life that further brings out the best in you and enriches your life and the relationship? Or secondly, does the individual subtract from you? Meaning, whereas you get along well by yourself, productive in life, high self-esteem, there is now a subtraction in those areas. Maybe the joy and laughter are fading and possibly almost gone. Not only is your self-esteem lower, but you are not the same spiritually, financially, and you can complete the list.
Let’s look at multiplication. Does your partner positively multiply you? Your joy is multiplied; your self-esteem increases because you feel valued by the person you commit to in the relationship. There are many things you no longer have to do for yourself. For example, you have a blown lightbulb at your garage door. You don’t have to go to Home Depot early in the morning and purchase a bulb and replace the blown-out one. You have an addition that is making multiple things easy for you. That is just an example, but I did that the morning I wrote this post! I am waiting for my multiplication!
Lastly, the division symbol. Does your significant other cause division in your life? Emotionally breaking you down into smaller pieces- Causing division between you and family members or friends, etc.? These are only my interpretations of relationships mathematically, and I thought it would be interesting to have you look at these mathematical concepts and apply them to your relationships. What mathematical symbol is your partner?
If you are presently in a relationship, where do the symbols fit in your life? Just my thinking, but I think in relationships, more than one of the four signs may come forth at one time or another, but depending on which one it is, you may not want it to stay around for a long time. You may notice that I didn’t apply these signs to a spouse because you have already chosen to wed, so it may not be much you can do at this point, but pray and cope. Viewing our relationships and evaluating our lives before marriage can sometimes save us heartache and pain down the road.
Just a little fun food for thought- now I want to hear from you. What mathematical symbol is your partner? Please share any experience you have dealing with any of the mathematical symbols. How do they affect you? What are the long term effects? Do they say run or stay? I am looking forward to hearing from you. Again, as always, you can respond to this post anonymously if you choose. I will lift mine eyes unto the hill, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Psalms 121:1-2. I’ll be back next week with a new post, “Stop Doing So Much!”
Be encouraged, and God bless!
Sister Jackie
Wow! What a loaded question.
I will use my last relationship prior to becoming a widower.
I can truly say for the majority of time that we were married, and prior to that, my husband added joy, stability, moral and financial support to my life; just to name a few.
Then there was the birth of my two sons; this process of multiplication enriched my life substantially. I was able to be a “stay at home mom” during most of my two pregnancies and for months after their birth. That was indeed joy multiplied.(just to add a little humor; so were the chores and expenses multiplied)
There were times during our marriage, that my husband’s job took him out of the country for months at a time; it was during these times that I felt subtraction creeping in. What was once shared responsibility and decision making, was now, for the most part was on me.
Fraction and division came into play when my husband made his transition at an early age.
I have no regrets; just tons of great memories.
It’s about 4:30 am; still reflecting.
What a beautiful mathematical story of how each symbol played a distinctive role in your married life. Not many people can say, “I have no regrets; just tons of memories.” May God bless you by adding blessings to your life, taking away any heartache, multiplying what you have, and dividing the wealth of this world with you. Thank you for sharing a part of your life and memories with all of us who read your comments.
This is a tough question because there was a time my spouse was all of these symbols. Now, depending upon the situation, i feel he is adding to our relationship, like the extra income, but there are numerous times that i feel he tries to subtract from our relationship saying things to make me believe I can not do anything without him. But, I have a high enough self esteem to let him know, oh, but I can. Multiplication, I can relate to that. I no longer worry about the maintenance of my car or like you said having to change light bulbs in high places. These things he willingly do for me so i dont have a worry there. Division, not so much because we went through that once, so he is very careful in that area. In this marriage I am trusting and believing in God for all things. He makes sure my spouse adds or multiply, He does not allow him to subtract or divide. God bless you.
Thank you for sharing a portion of your life experience. While we may depend on our husbands to do certain things, it is crucial to maintain a positive self-image and know that we can function as a complete individual. Hold onto your self-esteem. Continue to trust God in all areas of your marriage. God bless you and add to you daily those things you need or desire.