I've been thinking a lot about what makes a good marriage lately. Rob and I had a great talk a couple nights ago about our own marriage. We have a wonderful marriage where we both feel happy and loved, but that doesn't come easily. Marriage is work. We are surrounded by people whose marriage for one reason or another isn't working and our heart aches for them and their families.
My thoughts and prayers have partly been focused on how I can improve my marriage. Just last night I prayed to be a better wife and was deeply touched today while reading the Ensign to come across an article on just that subject. The article outlined some things that "Happily Married" couples do. It was a good checklist and made me realize that although we are doing some wonderful things in our marriage, there is always room for improvement.
The article was written by Douglas Brinley and is found in the January 2012 Ensign. Brinley outlined Ten ideas for enriching your martial relationship, the outline is as follows:
1- Have positive conversations
2- Show affection
3-Remember that you are each other's therapists
4- Be humble and cultivate Christlike attributes
5- Date frequently
6- Enrich your intimacy
7- Spend time with children and grandchildren
8- Seek feedback and help each other
9- Eliminate anger
10- Be sensitive to each other's stress levels
There are a couple things that I LOVED in this article. One is under "having positive conversations". He said that, "Sharing experiences and feelings in depth with each other is the solution to most martial problems." Second is found under being each other's therapist...great idea, not only are you confiding in one another, but you know each other WAY better than any therapist does. Third is under "dating frequently", he said, "above all, recognize that a babysitter is cheaper than a divorce". I've come to realize that a quote I came across a while back is absolutely true, "a good marriage is made up of two great forgivers". We all make mistakes, especially to those who are the closest to us. The truth lies in our ability to forgive and move on when mistakes happen. Good read and a great reminder of making a stronger more eternal marriage in this day of fleeting marriages.
