Let the
Golden Rule reign supreme:Treat
your spouse as you would like to be treated. Express gratitude, pay
compliments, and do an act of conscious kindness every day. Pope Francis shared three words that are key
to a successful marriage – “permission, gratitude, and forgiveness”. Therefore,
be generous in using “may I”, “thank you” and “sorry”!
Know that
happiness is not constant, but it is always around the corner: “Happily ever after” is the goal in marriage, but life
ebbs and flows. Have realistic
expectations and trust that perseverance through difficulties will be
rewarded.
Communication
in both directions: Go beyond
assuming you know your partner’s thoughts and feelings. Communicate by giving
equal time to talking and listening.
Don’t leave
pet peeves on the back burner: Small annoyances can grow into big
problems if they are not addressed. Let your partner know right away if
something bothers you. A good marriage is a “dynamic process” and each partner
has to learn to live with imperfections. “Love
does not have to be perfect for us to value it” – Pope Francis (The Joy of Love)
Know that
arguments don’t have to be won: Sometimes your partner just want to be
heard and understood. Being objective and open to compromise is more important
than right. Do not procrastinate a gesture of peace.
Nurture a
spiritual connection: Pray for your spouse and your relationship every
day. “Love
that is held together only by the flesh is as fragile as the flesh, but love
that is held together by a spiritual oneness and based on a love of a common
destiny is truly “until death do us part” – Blessed Bishop Fulton Sheen
.
Develop
common interests to create lasting bonds: Travel, dance, cook meals
together, play a sport or volunteer. Connect with your spouse by sharing
something that makes your relationship more personal and special.
Make dating
part of your marriage: Plan special nights with your spouse. Exclude all distractions including phones.
During the date try to learn something that you did not know about your
spouse.
Remember that you are each other’s long
term care giver: Take care of yourself for the sake of your spouse. Maintain your health and physical fitness so
you can care for one another in your golden years.
Believe that marriage is sacred and is a
sacrament: Have faith in the sanctity of marriage and your vow of
commitment. Work every day at making yourself and your marriage better for the
glory of God“When
God is at the center of a marriage, full unity of heart, soul and body is
possible” –Pope Francis (The Joy of Love)
