The secrets to marital longevity and personal happiness

Hello mi neighbour! I am still hoping that, before yearend, the information being shared here on how to improve and enjoy your relationship would have had a positive impact on your marriage – yes, yours. Life in itself is far too short and stressful to be living in misery at the place called home, where peace, love and harmony should be ever flowing.

Whether your marriage is a mismarriage, a God-ordained marriage, a purpose-driven marriage, a business or just a regular marriage, you will experience sweet days and sour days along the journey. With the right information, support and a willingness/capacity to adapt to positive marital guidelines, you can enjoy far more sweet days than sour days. So, before you leave the ‘kitchen’, you may want to consider some ingredients that could season your relationship and make it tastier!

Couples, yes, you, valuing your life also means learning to value your partner’s. Place a big mark-up on the contribution he/she is making to your life. Yes, I know the stories: him/she dis-dat-an-di-adda, but you are also this, that, and the other. If you dig deeply enough, you will find qualities in each other which, when mixed with your sourness, could produce a nice jug of lemonade to cool you down when things are getting hot. See where I am going? Come along with me.

You would admit that there was, and yet still, a little spark of love and appreciation for each other somewhere there. Right? Of course! Let’s find it, and fan it. When one gets tired of fanning, the other must take over. Fan on, my friend, fan on!

Because I am aware that you are quite busy, I did a little research for you! No, no payment is required.

Couples, valuing each other is essential to marital longevity and personal happiness!

As couples chart their way to marital happiness, it is imperative that wives:

· Support their husband’s goals and dreams

· Encourage and celebrate his successes

· Show appreciation for his efforts and contributions

· Listen actively and show interest in his thoughts and feelings

· Respect his boundaries and decisions

· Show physical affection to him through thick and thin

· Partner him in laughter and joy

And they must remember the musts!

Husbands must:

· Listen actively and show empathy towards the wife’s feelings

· Support her goals, dreams, and aspirations

· Show appreciation for her efforts and contributions

· Surprise her with small gestures and gifts

· Respect her boundaries and decisions

· Be present and engaged in the relationship

· Show physical affection around the clock.

Both must:

· Communicate openly and honestly

· Show gratitude and appreciation for each other

· Respect each other’s individuality and differences

· Prioritise quality time together

· Embrace each other’s strengths and weaknesses

· Forgive and work through conflicts together

· Cultivate a sense of humor and playfulness

Couples must stay far from these:

· Persistent conflict and arguing

· Emotional distancing or disconnection

· Different values, goals and priorities

Please remember to:

· Communicate openly and honestly with your partner

· Seek counselling or therapy to work through issues

· Explore options like couples therapy or relationship coaching

· Prioritise self-care

· Take the time to reflect on your relationship and prioritise not only your emotional well-being, but also the well-being of your partner.

And, what else can I say, when all else fails, this one won’t: the family that PRAYS together, STAYS together.

Enjoy the journey and remember a little sour and some sweet can make life ‘SWEET’.

KINDLY HELP A NEIGHBOUR WITH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING

Stove, refrigerator, bed, food, help with medication, financial assistance to start a little business live.

To help, please call Silton Townsend @ 876 649-9636. Contact email: helloneighbour@yahoo.com. Visit hellomineighbourja.blogspot.com. Mr Townsend exclusively manages the collections and distributions mentioned in this column and is neither an employee nor agent of The Gleaner.