changing behavior one person at a time

I think when we look at our individual behavior and try and change it, it is impossible to ignore the behavior of those around you. Sort of joking, sort of serious, I told my boyfriend he owed me a dollar every time he brought home a plastic bag. Here’s the thing. After surgery I could not do anything for myself. It’s bad enough that I am texting him at work begging to bring home lime popicles or something else. I have it good, if I needed something for dinner, a missing ingredient Seth will always pick it up on his way home from work. How then can I turn around and bitch at him for getting parsley, putting that in a bag, and then taking a plastic bag. It’s hard, I can shoot glances at him, but really he’s trying. I made $4 on the, you owe me a dollar everytime you bring home a bag. But honestly when I first got out of the hospital, and was sick, I was so happy to have those extra plastic bags lying around the house, trust me, you don’t want to throw up in a paper bag. So in situations like that the plastic bags were my BFF. I threatened to blog about him and how bad his habits were. It’s hard to try and change your lifestyle when your boyfriend/girlfriend/partner/husband/wife/kids, don’t want to change, or understand that you are trying to change for more than just an assignment for school, but because it will benefit all. Just when I thought I was beating a dead horse, the other day he came home and said he had a present for me. I was super excited, what could it be? It was a stack of about 15 plastic sandwich bags that he had brought his snacks to work in and did not throw out. Maybe I am making some headway! Granted 3 of them were so gross, they could not be re-used, but baby steps, right. Good job Seth for trying to change your wasteful behavior.