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Sunday, March 4, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
The great man of insight to the secrets of the wealthy, ROBERT KIYOSAKI, RICH DAD, POOR DAD said; "the poor work for money, but the rich make their money work for them"
I am sorry i have been absent for long pardon me ny readers, i welcome you back to this blog,where we shall continue to look at what the rich does that made them become wealthy.
i will like to let you see the power of investment as one of the secrets of millionaires.
INVESTMENT is using part of ur income to do a legitimate business that will keep yielding more money, even at ur absence. it another type of income. It is making your little money work for you and multipliying to yield more noney. next week, i will go further.
I am sorry i have been absent for long pardon me ny readers, i welcome you back to this blog,where we shall continue to look at what the rich does that made them become wealthy.
i will like to let you see the power of investment as one of the secrets of millionaires.
INVESTMENT is using part of ur income to do a legitimate business that will keep yielding more money, even at ur absence. it another type of income. It is making your little money work for you and multipliying to yield more noney. next week, i will go further.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Save My Marriage From Divorce - The Truth No One is Telling You About How to Stop a Divorce By Kingsley Abayomi A. Aje
" I want to save my marriage from divorce" is exactly what people who are wanting to save their marriage life are saying to themselves. If you are one of these people, I assure you this article will help you save your marriage from divorce in no time.
There are some basic truths you need to know about saving your marriage before it ends up in the divorce court. The number of marriage that ends up in divorce today is on the increase everyday and there are some basic truths you need to know if you don't want yours to end up the same way as others.
Saving your marriage from divorce will not be done by anyone else but you, you are the only one that knows your spouse and as such you are the only one that is in the best position to save your marriage from divorce. No matter how much you see a marriage councilor, saving your marriage can only be done by you and you alone because no one will do it for you.
The purpose of this article is to show you the basic truth that you need to know about how you can successfully save your marriage.
If communication is missing in your marriage, then you are sitting on a time bomb that is about to explode. You can be very busy that you don't have the time to listen to your spouse or to even be there for your kids when they need you the most. No one is saying making money is not important but when making money takes the place of your spouse and your kids then be ready for your spouse to serve you a divorce letter or to cheat on your any time soon.
If you find yourself in this situation, then you need to do everything you need to do to create an atmosphere where you can increase the communication rate between you and your spouse. Take time out every day to speak with your spouse, nothing can take the place of communication if you need to save your marriage. It is very possible that you are not meeting your spouse needs sexually.
This may sound insignificant but if you are not meeting the needs of your spouse sexually, then your marriage will be hitting the rocks soon. At this point you need to let your spouse know that you are working very hard to improve your sexual drive and that pleasing him or her is your utmost desires.
Helping your spouse financially is another important aspect that you need to continuously work towards and before long you will be able to save your marriage without stress. As long as you are willing to make your marriage work, there is nothing that can work against you.
These tips are just some not all of the ways by which you can save your marriage. There are several plans that is guaranteed to work that can help you Stop Your Divorce in no time. Take one minute to read the next page and you will find out how you can save your marriage from a divorce today. Click Here! for more details.
There are some basic truths you need to know about saving your marriage before it ends up in the divorce court. The number of marriage that ends up in divorce today is on the increase everyday and there are some basic truths you need to know if you don't want yours to end up the same way as others.
Saving your marriage from divorce will not be done by anyone else but you, you are the only one that knows your spouse and as such you are the only one that is in the best position to save your marriage from divorce. No matter how much you see a marriage councilor, saving your marriage can only be done by you and you alone because no one will do it for you.
The purpose of this article is to show you the basic truth that you need to know about how you can successfully save your marriage.
If communication is missing in your marriage, then you are sitting on a time bomb that is about to explode. You can be very busy that you don't have the time to listen to your spouse or to even be there for your kids when they need you the most. No one is saying making money is not important but when making money takes the place of your spouse and your kids then be ready for your spouse to serve you a divorce letter or to cheat on your any time soon.
If you find yourself in this situation, then you need to do everything you need to do to create an atmosphere where you can increase the communication rate between you and your spouse. Take time out every day to speak with your spouse, nothing can take the place of communication if you need to save your marriage. It is very possible that you are not meeting your spouse needs sexually.
This may sound insignificant but if you are not meeting the needs of your spouse sexually, then your marriage will be hitting the rocks soon. At this point you need to let your spouse know that you are working very hard to improve your sexual drive and that pleasing him or her is your utmost desires.
Helping your spouse financially is another important aspect that you need to continuously work towards and before long you will be able to save your marriage without stress. As long as you are willing to make your marriage work, there is nothing that can work against you.
These tips are just some not all of the ways by which you can save your marriage. There are several plans that is guaranteed to work that can help you Stop Your Divorce in no time. Take one minute to read the next page and you will find out how you can save your marriage from a divorce today. Click Here! for more details.
Saving your marriage through counseling By Andrew Rusbatch
Marriage problems often start small. Maybe with a lack of communication, or a lack of attention. But little problems build into larger problems over time. Often, by the time both parties realize that the problems between them have gotten out of control, the bad times outnumber the good, and almost every day brings an
argument and feelings of sadness and resentment.
The fact is, most couples are too slow to recognize the need they have for marriage counseling, and by the time it's obvious, it's also too late. Counseling, when undertaken in time, really does save marriages. Not only that, but it can make marriages healthier than they have ever been and couples can be happier. But many
couples hesitate when it comes to counseling and wait too long. Many feel that it's like admitting failure. Others are suspicious of psychology or behavioral therapy. Most people have some kind of preconceived notion about counseling, and some are really detrimental to the process as a tool for saving the marriage.
But marriage counseling actually offers couples a chance to talk about the origin of their problems in a safe and moderated environment. It's an environment that is controlled by a trained councilor who is committed to resolving issues and improving communication. When both partners are committed to this result, counseling can be extraordinarily powerful and bring your marriage back from the brink of disaster.
But wait...why did you let it get to the brink of disaster to begin with? The best time for counseling isn't when divorce seems an immediately viable option. The time for counseling is at the first sign of serious trouble, when issues begin to come up again and again without resolution, and when communication begins to break
down.
This may be difficult, as convincing your partner that you require counseling when there really aren't so many terrible problems might take some work. But it will pay off eventually, as it really takes both sides of a marriage to be committed to success. Individual counseling may help to resolve some of the issues, but the core
problems and lack of communication will persist so long as one of you resists help.
In fact, one of the times when marriage counseling genuinely cannot help is when one of the partners has already become detached from the relationship or bought into the idea of divorce as the only escape from an untenable situation.
If you recognize that you are at a point in your relationship in which you need to seek counseling, do a little research about psychologists and therapists in your area. Actually, it's likely that someone you know has seen a marriage counselor try to find someone to refer you to a trustworthy therapist. In any case, it is
desperately important that you start early, and give the process time to work. Counseling really can save marriages, but only with a strong commitment from both partners and a desire to pull back from the edge of divorce
argument and feelings of sadness and resentment.
The fact is, most couples are too slow to recognize the need they have for marriage counseling, and by the time it's obvious, it's also too late. Counseling, when undertaken in time, really does save marriages. Not only that, but it can make marriages healthier than they have ever been and couples can be happier. But many
couples hesitate when it comes to counseling and wait too long. Many feel that it's like admitting failure. Others are suspicious of psychology or behavioral therapy. Most people have some kind of preconceived notion about counseling, and some are really detrimental to the process as a tool for saving the marriage.
But marriage counseling actually offers couples a chance to talk about the origin of their problems in a safe and moderated environment. It's an environment that is controlled by a trained councilor who is committed to resolving issues and improving communication. When both partners are committed to this result, counseling can be extraordinarily powerful and bring your marriage back from the brink of disaster.
But wait...why did you let it get to the brink of disaster to begin with? The best time for counseling isn't when divorce seems an immediately viable option. The time for counseling is at the first sign of serious trouble, when issues begin to come up again and again without resolution, and when communication begins to break
down.
This may be difficult, as convincing your partner that you require counseling when there really aren't so many terrible problems might take some work. But it will pay off eventually, as it really takes both sides of a marriage to be committed to success. Individual counseling may help to resolve some of the issues, but the core
problems and lack of communication will persist so long as one of you resists help.
In fact, one of the times when marriage counseling genuinely cannot help is when one of the partners has already become detached from the relationship or bought into the idea of divorce as the only escape from an untenable situation.
If you recognize that you are at a point in your relationship in which you need to seek counseling, do a little research about psychologists and therapists in your area. Actually, it's likely that someone you know has seen a marriage counselor try to find someone to refer you to a trustworthy therapist. In any case, it is
desperately important that you start early, and give the process time to work. Counseling really can save marriages, but only with a strong commitment from both partners and a desire to pull back from the edge of divorce
I Wanted to Save My Marriage From Divorce - I Did It and You Can Too By Lucy Morgan-Rowe
We had been married for 12 years when I realized my marriage was in trouble and I needed to save my marriage from divorce. But I was so busy that I didn't notice that my husband had already emotionally divorced himself a couple of years before.
When we got married we both had great careers, made good money and were desperately in love. Life was very good.
Two years later we had our son and within the next three years we had a daughter and another son but I continued to work part time.
Slowly dinner dates gave way to play dates. When we went out it was to soccer practice or dance recitals.
We no longer made love, we had sex. The occasional morning quickie before the kids woke up.
Our only conversations revolved around the children, bills, broken appliances and so forth.
When our youngest began school, my part time job quickly extended to full time.
And when I got home, I'd quickly change into my sweats, make dinner, help the kids with their homework and try to keep the house from falling apart. After the kids were in bed, I'd conk out in front of the TV and my husband would be in another room.
When our tenth wedding anniversary was nearing, my husband came home with a huge grin and handed me two plane tickets to go to stay at our favorite hotel for a surprise weekend getaway. I looked at him as if he had two heads and went into a diatribe about how I couldn't get away because I had a work project due, what were we going to do with the children, why didn't he talk to me about it first and so forth. His face fell. He grabbed the tickets and told me not to worry about it. He would cancel everything.
That was apparently the last straw. He totally vacated the marriage emotionally.
One day, two years later, I had treated myself to a stylish haircut and a new outfit for work because I had just finished a major project and received a bonus. When I came home and showed him my clothes and haircut and told him about my bonus, he looked up from his keyboard and said, "Hmm, isn't it nice that you want to look good at work and that you can find the time to take on such a big project. But your priorities have been so screwed up for a while, I'm not really surprised." Then he went back to his computer.
I was devastated.
That's when I realized that I felt the same way he must have felt when he wanted to surprise me with our anniversary trip.
The next day at work I asked if I could telecommute instead of going to the office every day. Fortunately, my boss agreed.
That night, I sent the kids to stay with a neighbor. I set a beautiful table and cooked one of my husband's favorite dishes. I dressed in a pretty outfit, lit some candles, put on soft music and met my husband at the door with a glass of wine. I said, "Hi, I'm the girl you married and who loves you very much but who has been an idiot and who has ignored you for too long. But that's going to end now. So why don't you tell me about your day while I put dinner on the table."
He was totally stunned.
That night we had dinner and talked, really talked, about us, our marriage, our family and what we both could do to improve things. We actually wrote out a plan for how we were going to make things better.
The changes didn't happen overnight but they did happen. It took a while for him to believe that I was serious about saving our marriage from a divorce.
That was six years ago and today we act like newlyweds. We laugh, hold hands, go on date nights and don't take the rest of the world so seriously. We work together around the house and play together whenever we can. We're so happy and affectionate that even our kids tell us to "get a room." And when they do, we go to our bedroom and lock the door.
Lucy Morgan-Rowe is the main writer of savemy-marriage.com a marriage site that discusses ways on how to Save Marriages that are on the brink of divorce.
When we got married we both had great careers, made good money and were desperately in love. Life was very good.
Two years later we had our son and within the next three years we had a daughter and another son but I continued to work part time.
Slowly dinner dates gave way to play dates. When we went out it was to soccer practice or dance recitals.
We no longer made love, we had sex. The occasional morning quickie before the kids woke up.
Our only conversations revolved around the children, bills, broken appliances and so forth.
When our youngest began school, my part time job quickly extended to full time.
And when I got home, I'd quickly change into my sweats, make dinner, help the kids with their homework and try to keep the house from falling apart. After the kids were in bed, I'd conk out in front of the TV and my husband would be in another room.
When our tenth wedding anniversary was nearing, my husband came home with a huge grin and handed me two plane tickets to go to stay at our favorite hotel for a surprise weekend getaway. I looked at him as if he had two heads and went into a diatribe about how I couldn't get away because I had a work project due, what were we going to do with the children, why didn't he talk to me about it first and so forth. His face fell. He grabbed the tickets and told me not to worry about it. He would cancel everything.
That was apparently the last straw. He totally vacated the marriage emotionally.
One day, two years later, I had treated myself to a stylish haircut and a new outfit for work because I had just finished a major project and received a bonus. When I came home and showed him my clothes and haircut and told him about my bonus, he looked up from his keyboard and said, "Hmm, isn't it nice that you want to look good at work and that you can find the time to take on such a big project. But your priorities have been so screwed up for a while, I'm not really surprised." Then he went back to his computer.
I was devastated.
That's when I realized that I felt the same way he must have felt when he wanted to surprise me with our anniversary trip.
The next day at work I asked if I could telecommute instead of going to the office every day. Fortunately, my boss agreed.
That night, I sent the kids to stay with a neighbor. I set a beautiful table and cooked one of my husband's favorite dishes. I dressed in a pretty outfit, lit some candles, put on soft music and met my husband at the door with a glass of wine. I said, "Hi, I'm the girl you married and who loves you very much but who has been an idiot and who has ignored you for too long. But that's going to end now. So why don't you tell me about your day while I put dinner on the table."
He was totally stunned.
That night we had dinner and talked, really talked, about us, our marriage, our family and what we both could do to improve things. We actually wrote out a plan for how we were going to make things better.
The changes didn't happen overnight but they did happen. It took a while for him to believe that I was serious about saving our marriage from a divorce.
That was six years ago and today we act like newlyweds. We laugh, hold hands, go on date nights and don't take the rest of the world so seriously. We work together around the house and play together whenever we can. We're so happy and affectionate that even our kids tell us to "get a room." And when they do, we go to our bedroom and lock the door.
Lucy Morgan-Rowe is the main writer of savemy-marriage.com a marriage site that discusses ways on how to Save Marriages that are on the brink of divorce.
How to Save My Marriage From Divorce by Patrick J. Smith
Know body every said that your marriage was going to be peaches and cream forever. If you marriage is falling apart quickly you may be asking "how to save my marriage from divorce." You may feel that you are a day late and a dollar short, especially if you are in the final stages of your divorce proceedings, but its never to late to save your marriage from divorce. No matter how deep over your head you are.
If you are like me going to court sucks, no matter if it is going for a traffic ticket or jury duty. One of the first questions the judge is going to ask you is if both parties agree with the divorce. Many times both parties will agree but if one wants to make things work then statistically speaking, there is a great chance you can save you marriage in the eyes of the judge and you will have the opportunity to try and rekindle the marriage.
But saving your marriage is not going to be that simple, you are going to need to know the right steps to take to get your marriage on the right path. There are several things you can do to help save your marriage. While some may take time and patience the others are pretty head on once the both of you figure out the problem that caused things to go down hill in your marriage. Here are 3 steps how to save your marriage from divorce:
How To Save My Marriage From Divorce Step One
Communication is the key to success. If you want to save your marriage from divorce it is critical that the two of you are talking to one another. Try and create a relaxed atmosphere where you and your spouse can talk openly without pointing the finger at each other. When you are talking with your spouse let your guard down. Try not to attack one another, give your spouse the same amount of respect that you would want back in return.
It is critical that you respect your spouse's views and ideals. If you feel that your spouse is attacking you, remain calm and do not try to defend yourself. This will only make the situation worse; instead let your spouse express their views without interrupting or passing judgment. If they say something that insults you or hurts your feelings try not to take it to the heart, just suck it up and be a big boy/girl.
You and you spouse will need to put your differences aside and come to a meeting point if you want to rebuild the marriage. Find the problem that brought about the divorce and them work together to fix them. That is key to saving your marriage from divorce.
How To Save My Marriage From Divorce Step Two
Get some alone time. Sometime to escape away from the stresses of the world, it is essential that you and your spouse get away. Go to the movies, go out to eat, or take a mini vacation. Where the two of you will be away from the kids and the stress of work.
Simply by spending quality time with your spouse can help the both of you put the marriage into perspective and help rekindle any lost romance.
Use this as an opportunity to talk freely to one another without the distractions of family and friends. Dig deep and try to get to the root of the problems in your marriage. Create a relaxed atmosphere where you spouse can talk to you freely. Do not try to drill them in any way.
Remember find the problem then fix it. Taking a romantic vacation is usually enough to rekindle the marriage and spice thing up a bit even if the marriage is on the brick of a divorce.
How To Save My Marriage From Divorce Step Three
Have sex! We all live busy lifestyles and with work and taking care of the kids many times one spouse is drained and does not want to have sex. A lack of intimacy can destroy a marriage. Were you spunky when you first fell for your wife or husband. Yes, well bring that sexy and romantic side of you back out of the closet.
You should try to sustain and keep your sex life as healthy as possible. Sex is crucial when it comes to saving your marriage from divorce. Sex keeps the two of you connected emotionally, relieves stress, and increases self-esteem and intimacy.
Another thing that you must realize is that it is going to take a tad bit of patience if you are trying to save your marriage alone. Why? Because if you want to save your marriage you are going to have make your spouse want you back. Now this is not going to happen over night and you may take two step backwards before you can take one step forward. So will definitely need to be patient with your spouse and have a plan.
In order "how to Save My Marriage From Divorce" you are going to have to get to the bottom of the problems that are causing friction in your marriage. Without you partners input, what you may think is the problem in the marriage may only be a symptom. That is why you need to get them to want you back, so you can get their personal insight as to what went wrong in the marriage. If you want to turn the tables on your spouse and make them want you back I highly recommend you check out some of the lethal tactics in Save My Marriage Today. Stop the stress and sleepless nights and get your spouse back before it's to late!
If you are like me going to court sucks, no matter if it is going for a traffic ticket or jury duty. One of the first questions the judge is going to ask you is if both parties agree with the divorce. Many times both parties will agree but if one wants to make things work then statistically speaking, there is a great chance you can save you marriage in the eyes of the judge and you will have the opportunity to try and rekindle the marriage.
But saving your marriage is not going to be that simple, you are going to need to know the right steps to take to get your marriage on the right path. There are several things you can do to help save your marriage. While some may take time and patience the others are pretty head on once the both of you figure out the problem that caused things to go down hill in your marriage. Here are 3 steps how to save your marriage from divorce:
How To Save My Marriage From Divorce Step One
Communication is the key to success. If you want to save your marriage from divorce it is critical that the two of you are talking to one another. Try and create a relaxed atmosphere where you and your spouse can talk openly without pointing the finger at each other. When you are talking with your spouse let your guard down. Try not to attack one another, give your spouse the same amount of respect that you would want back in return.
It is critical that you respect your spouse's views and ideals. If you feel that your spouse is attacking you, remain calm and do not try to defend yourself. This will only make the situation worse; instead let your spouse express their views without interrupting or passing judgment. If they say something that insults you or hurts your feelings try not to take it to the heart, just suck it up and be a big boy/girl.
You and you spouse will need to put your differences aside and come to a meeting point if you want to rebuild the marriage. Find the problem that brought about the divorce and them work together to fix them. That is key to saving your marriage from divorce.
How To Save My Marriage From Divorce Step Two
Get some alone time. Sometime to escape away from the stresses of the world, it is essential that you and your spouse get away. Go to the movies, go out to eat, or take a mini vacation. Where the two of you will be away from the kids and the stress of work.
Simply by spending quality time with your spouse can help the both of you put the marriage into perspective and help rekindle any lost romance.
Use this as an opportunity to talk freely to one another without the distractions of family and friends. Dig deep and try to get to the root of the problems in your marriage. Create a relaxed atmosphere where you spouse can talk to you freely. Do not try to drill them in any way.
Remember find the problem then fix it. Taking a romantic vacation is usually enough to rekindle the marriage and spice thing up a bit even if the marriage is on the brick of a divorce.
How To Save My Marriage From Divorce Step Three
Have sex! We all live busy lifestyles and with work and taking care of the kids many times one spouse is drained and does not want to have sex. A lack of intimacy can destroy a marriage. Were you spunky when you first fell for your wife or husband. Yes, well bring that sexy and romantic side of you back out of the closet.
You should try to sustain and keep your sex life as healthy as possible. Sex is crucial when it comes to saving your marriage from divorce. Sex keeps the two of you connected emotionally, relieves stress, and increases self-esteem and intimacy.
Another thing that you must realize is that it is going to take a tad bit of patience if you are trying to save your marriage alone. Why? Because if you want to save your marriage you are going to have make your spouse want you back. Now this is not going to happen over night and you may take two step backwards before you can take one step forward. So will definitely need to be patient with your spouse and have a plan.
In order "how to Save My Marriage From Divorce" you are going to have to get to the bottom of the problems that are causing friction in your marriage. Without you partners input, what you may think is the problem in the marriage may only be a symptom. That is why you need to get them to want you back, so you can get their personal insight as to what went wrong in the marriage. If you want to turn the tables on your spouse and make them want you back I highly recommend you check out some of the lethal tactics in Save My Marriage Today. Stop the stress and sleepless nights and get your spouse back before it's to late!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Growing Apart: Keep It From Happening to You
I told you that marriages either grow or weaken. If you put no effort into your marriage, you’re not maintaining it: you’re letting it deteriorate.
Similarly, all the time you’re either growing apart or growing together. If you are not communicating, not touching, and not spending time together, then you are growing apart.
It’s amazing how few people really know their spouse. Do you know who your spouse’s biggest role model is? Do you know the one book or CD your partner would want to have if he or she were stranded on a deserted island? Do you know what his or her favorite color is? Do you know exactly what your spouse does at work?
Getting to know someone truly, inside and out, takes effort. Most of us prefer learning more about our own preferences, opinions, and ideas than those of our spouse. Yet a strong marriage is one where both individuals make an effort to find out what is going on inside their spouse’s head. They appreciate, understand, and respect that information.
Growing together means sharing together. It doesn’t mean thinking alike, or avoiding conflicts, or not having disagreements. It doesn’t mean that neither of you ever changes. Growth, by definition, is change. A healthy marriage is one in which both people mature and change their ideas, perspectives, and plans. The trick is to share those changes openly and honestly with your spouse as they occur.
When you grow together, you share what you’re thinking, feeling, and hoping for. You don’t remain the same person that your spouse met. Instead, you find new hobbies, new passions, and new jobs that keep your life exciting and always surprising. Even when your new direction seems to lead in an opposite direction from your spouse, it is usually just old perceptions that makes it seem that way. Spouses can be resistant to changes in their partner, because they see it as a sign that their partner is dissatisfied with things as they are. Reassure your spouse. Whatever new direction you take, you need to involve your spouse fully and ensure that nothing will cut into your couple time. Changes are frightening, but when there is communication, honesty, and willingness to compromise at every step of the way, change can be an enormously positive thing.
Let’s look at the example of Joan and Michael.
For the first five years of their marriage, Joan stayed at home while Michael worked. She found herself gaining weight, getting bored, and listening enviously to her single girlfriends about their adventurous jobs and
experiences. At first, she blamed it on her marriage. Then, a frank friend reminded her that her marriage vows didn’t include a promise to do the same thing ‘til death do you part. That night, she told Michael that she wanted to go back to work and try a three-month subscription to a gym. He was horrified. He thought it meant that she wasn’t happy with how he provided for the family, and that the only reason she could possibly want to go to the gym was to look good for another man. They had a huge argument, and Michael forbade Joan to go job-hunting. The stress in their marriage was at a breaking point.
It took the intervention of their pastor before Joan and Michael could sit down and discuss their feelings without getting upset. Joan told Michael that she needed to keep growing and trying more out of life, but that she wanted to do it with him, not without him. Michael confessed that he worried that Joan would meet someone new if she started working outside the home. Their pastor encouraged both of them to continue talking openly and honestly and involve each other as their life changed. As a result, Michael decided to join the gym along with Joan. Joan’s new job gave both of them much more to talk about in the evenings, and their communication improved. Too, the extra income gave them more money to go out and do activities that they enjoyed. Ultimately, the change that Michael feared actually strengthened their marriage.
Michael and Joan learned some valuable lessons. (1) When one partner suggests a change, the other partner often feels indirectly criticized, thinking that the other person means that status quo is not be good enough. Reassuring your partner is essential during this tough time. (2) Sometimes it takes professional help (such as a pastor or marriage counselor) to get you talking about how you really feel. (3) Any change that can be undertaken mutually (such as both Michael and Joan joining the gym) is better than a change that can only be undertaken individually
Similarly, all the time you’re either growing apart or growing together. If you are not communicating, not touching, and not spending time together, then you are growing apart.
It’s amazing how few people really know their spouse. Do you know who your spouse’s biggest role model is? Do you know the one book or CD your partner would want to have if he or she were stranded on a deserted island? Do you know what his or her favorite color is? Do you know exactly what your spouse does at work?
Getting to know someone truly, inside and out, takes effort. Most of us prefer learning more about our own preferences, opinions, and ideas than those of our spouse. Yet a strong marriage is one where both individuals make an effort to find out what is going on inside their spouse’s head. They appreciate, understand, and respect that information.
Growing together means sharing together. It doesn’t mean thinking alike, or avoiding conflicts, or not having disagreements. It doesn’t mean that neither of you ever changes. Growth, by definition, is change. A healthy marriage is one in which both people mature and change their ideas, perspectives, and plans. The trick is to share those changes openly and honestly with your spouse as they occur.
When you grow together, you share what you’re thinking, feeling, and hoping for. You don’t remain the same person that your spouse met. Instead, you find new hobbies, new passions, and new jobs that keep your life exciting and always surprising. Even when your new direction seems to lead in an opposite direction from your spouse, it is usually just old perceptions that makes it seem that way. Spouses can be resistant to changes in their partner, because they see it as a sign that their partner is dissatisfied with things as they are. Reassure your spouse. Whatever new direction you take, you need to involve your spouse fully and ensure that nothing will cut into your couple time. Changes are frightening, but when there is communication, honesty, and willingness to compromise at every step of the way, change can be an enormously positive thing.
Let’s look at the example of Joan and Michael.
For the first five years of their marriage, Joan stayed at home while Michael worked. She found herself gaining weight, getting bored, and listening enviously to her single girlfriends about their adventurous jobs and
experiences. At first, she blamed it on her marriage. Then, a frank friend reminded her that her marriage vows didn’t include a promise to do the same thing ‘til death do you part. That night, she told Michael that she wanted to go back to work and try a three-month subscription to a gym. He was horrified. He thought it meant that she wasn’t happy with how he provided for the family, and that the only reason she could possibly want to go to the gym was to look good for another man. They had a huge argument, and Michael forbade Joan to go job-hunting. The stress in their marriage was at a breaking point.
It took the intervention of their pastor before Joan and Michael could sit down and discuss their feelings without getting upset. Joan told Michael that she needed to keep growing and trying more out of life, but that she wanted to do it with him, not without him. Michael confessed that he worried that Joan would meet someone new if she started working outside the home. Their pastor encouraged both of them to continue talking openly and honestly and involve each other as their life changed. As a result, Michael decided to join the gym along with Joan. Joan’s new job gave both of them much more to talk about in the evenings, and their communication improved. Too, the extra income gave them more money to go out and do activities that they enjoyed. Ultimately, the change that Michael feared actually strengthened their marriage.
Michael and Joan learned some valuable lessons. (1) When one partner suggests a change, the other partner often feels indirectly criticized, thinking that the other person means that status quo is not be good enough. Reassuring your partner is essential during this tough time. (2) Sometimes it takes professional help (such as a pastor or marriage counselor) to get you talking about how you really feel. (3) Any change that can be undertaken mutually (such as both Michael and Joan joining the gym) is better than a change that can only be undertaken individually
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