Author	Thread: What's the SECRET to a HAPPY MARRIAGE?
Admin	What's the SECRET to a HAPPY MARRIAGE? Posted : 17 Nov, 2010 01:21 PM I was barefoot enjoying rereading some of the marriage insights gleaned from the happily married readers of back issues of Marriage Partnership magazine today and this was one of the questions asked by MP that readers provided THEIR answers for ... so I was wondering what the gals and guys here might have to add to what those readers shared ... to help stimulate YOUR thoughts and replies to this question, here are the insights that those readers shared: (These are from the Summer 2008 issue of Marriage Partnership) "When my husband and I were still single, a common whine we used to hear from ' old married couples ' was 'He's (or she's) not the same person I married.' When we got married, we agreed to remind ourselves: This is the same person I married; I just learned something more about him/her." "If we can't agree on an important issue, both of us pray: 'God, if I'm wrong, change my heart.' Usually, God ends up changing both our hearts." Marriage Secret: LAUGHTER "The ability to laugh at ourselves or our situation has ALLOWED US TO KEEP THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE over the years. Sure, we argue from time to time, but the overall theme of our marriage is joy and laughter." Marriage Secret: TEAMWORK "We've always seen ourselves as a team. There isn't a "your side" and a "my side" -- IT ALWAYS NEEDS TO BE "OUR SIDE." This attitude keeps our entire family strong." Marriage Secret: BREATHING ROOM "We allow ourselves our own space and ways of doing things as much as possible. I LET HIM BE HIM AND HE LET'S ME BE ME." Marriage Secret: SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE "We do a Bible study each morning. We read one verse and give our thoughts on it and how we'll apply it in our lives. It's interesting WHAT WE'VE LEARNED ABOUT EACH OTHER this way. Occasionally, we even pick the same verse, which is amazing." Marriage Secret: TALKING "I know this is cliche, but our secret really is communication. Lack of communication at best says: We don't need to talk, we already know everything about each other. How arrogant! A LIFETIME ISN'T ENOUGH TO FULLY UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER. At worst it says: I don't think my spouse is worth the effort of trying to understand; I've given up ... It's only a short step from there to: We have nothing in common; we might as well end it ... So we really make a point of keeping up the talking!" Marriage Secret: ENJOY "Discover your spouse. Figure out what lights up his or her eyes and try to DO SOMETHING SMALL EVERY DAY to make that happen." Marriage Secret: EFFORT "We're emotionally naked with each other. That kind of connection is built on trust, honesty, love and effort -- lots and lots of effort on both our parts. WE DON'T BELIEVE IN 50/50. We believe in 100/100." Marriage Secret: PRAYER "We pray a lot together, for God's protection and blessings in our lives. We've adopted the motto: "i can't change my spouse, but through prayer, GOD CAN WORK ON US BOTH." OK ... there are a few of the insights and SECRETS to a HAPPY MARRIAGE for these happily married couples who shared about THEIR marriages with Marriage Partnership ... what about you ... and the marriages you are hoping for, dreaming of, longing for and praying for to God to bless the rest of YOUR lives? What SECRETS would you add to these or which of these would you enhance upon with further insight? Steve Post Reply
View Profile History	What's the SECRET to a HAPPY MARRIAGE? Posted : 17 Nov, 2010 02:38 PM No me no she no he only we. ts Post Reply
View Profile History	What's the SECRET to a HAPPY MARRIAGE? Posted : 17 Nov, 2010 03:06 PM How about each person trys to outdo the other when it comes to doing things for the other? Did that make sense? Also...LAUGHTER! making each other laugh... at each other...with each other...having a Laugh-a-thon! Never going to sleep with some problem unresolved. Listening...listening...LIstENinG!! to each other (first rule of Communication) Did I say Laughing? Massages!! Plenty of FootRubs!! martinis? :toomuch::ROFL: Post Reply
View Profile History	What's the SECRET to a HAPPY MARRIAGE? Posted : 17 Nov, 2010 04:37 PM ABSOLUTELY, ARCHIMEDES!!! LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS OF FOOT RUBS!!! :dancingp::dancingp::dancingp::hearts::hearts::hearts: The women in my life have ALWAYS loved having their feet massaged!!! Something HIGHLY satisfying and romantic for women about having their feet massaged and loved by their "special guy"!!! :yay::yay::yay::hearts::hearts::hearts: Steve Post Reply
View Profile History	What's the SECRET to a HAPPY MARRIAGE? Posted : 17 Nov, 2010 06:55 PM Steve, I did a double-take on this since the title was so short I thought someone had hijacked your screen name. :laugh: I've always said: Prayer, Communcation, and Compromise make up a good marriage. I also liked your list from the magazine. Post Reply