Marriage before, during and after 40 |
Whether you married years before you turned 40 or are getting married for the first time after 40, you want the healthiest and happiest marriage. There are several elements that create a healthy and happy marriage. One basic and crucial element is effective communication. If you don't communicate well, there will be misunderstandings and conflict. You need to know that your spouse listens and understands what you are saying. You want your spouse to take interest in your feelings and thoughts. Other elements that create a healthy and happy marriage: Trust: Trust is earned. Trust is earned over time by consistent, honorable actions. Without trust you will always be wondering what your spouse is up to. Trust isn't just a gift you give to your spouse, but a gift you give to yourself. Trust maintains your integrity and honor. Selflessness: Everyone has a little bit of selfishness in them. However, a healthy marriage isn't created by one or two people being selfish. A selfish person is focused on their needs and if extreme, it will lead to the demise of a marriage. Selflessness is about getting outside of yourself and thinking of your spouse and their needs, their dreams and their hopes. A beautiful union is formed when both spouses are selfless. Commitment: Just because you are married does not mean you are completely committed. Commitment isn't just about feelings, but a decision you make to love and honor your spouse for a lifetime -- through the good as well as the bad. Faithfulness: Faithfulness is about honoring your spouse and yourself, not just in body, but in your thoughts and your heart. To maintain a healthy and thriving marriage, you can't have a wandering eye. Lusting for someone of the opposite sex often leads to a greater temptation. Be mindful of your actions and words so they honor your marriage. Kindness and compassion: Some people are kinder to strangers than they are their spouses. Your spouse deserves kindness and compassion just as you deserve kindness and compassion in return. Kindness breeds kindness and makes being around your spouse even more enjoyable. Similar beliefs: Contrasting beliefs in a marriage rarely ends well. Contrasting beliefs leads to many arguments and sometimes very few solutions. Issues such as how you handle money, how you will raise children, religious beliefs and even sexual compatibility are often overlooked before marriage. It's important to thoroughly go over each of your beliefs before getting married, even if the decision has to be made to part ways. It's better to let go before you get married than it is for a marriage to end in divorce. “Success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through being the right mate." ―Barnett R. Brickner People often think in terms of what type of mate is right for them. This is common sense. However, it is equally important to think about what type of mate you will be in a marriage. It takes two people to make a marriage and two people who are truly committed to making a happy, healthy and lifelong marriage. Click to browse marriage articles |
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How to Bring Positivity Into Your Marriage
Have you ever been around someone who is always negative? If you notice, their negativity creates negativity all around. Positivity breeds positivity. Bringing this positivity into your marriage creates a better quality of life. Couples relate better. They look forward to spending time together. They feel they can count on each other when positivity is involved...READ MORE
Marriage Problems: Sex, Money and Children
Before a couple gets married, they rarely discuss thoroughly their beliefs on the topics of money, raising children and sex. Problems tend to occur in relation to these topics after marriage takes place. By then, heated arguments start and the thought of divorce comes to mind. Communication and working together is crucial in order to prevent issues from destroying a marriage. ...READ MORE
Being a Slob Could Destroy Your Marriage
If you and your spouse have contrasting habits around the house, they will impact your marriage. Being a slob is not a good thing. It is a selfish behavior that affects your home and those around you. Your bad habits could even be the demise of your marriage if you are stuck in denial. Shouldn't your marriage be more important than catering to your bad habits?...READ MORE