The best and most valuable gifts are often not material ones. While many spouses focus on Valentine's Day gifts such as jewelry or candy, spouses who are willing to invest the time and energy can give one of the most precious gifts possible-an improved, satisfying marriage.
Long after the romantic card is tucked away and the box of candy is empty, this marriage-enriching gift will still be appreciated and enjoyed. Follow these ten steps to give yourself and your spouse an unforgettable Valentine's Day gift:
1. Direct your energy into becoming the kind of marriage partner you'd like to have. It's easy to criticize a spouse for not being perfect while we overlook our own imperfections.
2. Focus on how you need to change in order to be a better partner. The only person you can ultimately change is yourself.
3. Accept responsibility for your own actions. You take a giant leap forward in growth the day you can say, "I'm sorry for my actions" instead of rationalizing and offering excuses.
4. Minimize blame and resentment. They are toxic and can poison your marriage and your life.
5. Practice forgiveness, not to let your partner off the hook, but because you want to move forward without carrying the weight of past hurts.
6. Break your marriage goals down into small steps and begin taking action. It'll be easier to continue moving forward when you start seeing progress.
7. Adopt the philosophy expressed in the Serenity Prayer: "God, grant me serenity to accept what I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference."
8. Focus on what you can do and give instead of keeping tabs about who is doing the most or making the greatest effort in your marriage.
9. Strive for balance in your own life between family, friends, work, sports, hobbies, recreation, and other interests. Then you won't be as likely to obsess about the imperfections in your partner.
10. Reward and praise yourself often for hanging in there in a challenging situation. You deserve it!
Nancy J. Wasson, Ph.D., is co-author of Keep Your Marriage: What to Do When Your Spouse Says "I don't love you anymore!" This e-book is available at http://www.keepyourmarriage.com, where you can also sign up for the free Keep Your Marriage Internet Magazine. Nancy can be contacted at http://www.keepyourmarriage.com.
Belknap Cadillac Deville rentals ..Bridal accessories are as necessary to complete the bridal look,... Read More
There's an important question that you need to ask the... Read More
Need a quick idea to dress up a mediocre wedding?... Read More
So you have been invited to a wedding. Whether you... Read More
Through my personal & professional coaching practice, marital issues often... Read More
'Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.' This is... Read More
Your wedding vows are the words that will forever remain... Read More
Wedding favors have always been a nice, personal gesture to... Read More
When it comes to your wedding services, nobody wants to... Read More
Does it seem like the phrases "ecology" and "wedding" could... Read More
Trust is the basis of all human relationships. Trust can... Read More
Recently, I stumbled across something on the internet. A particular... Read More
Asian-themed weddings are on the rise, and at first this... Read More
Since Maui and Hawaii in general have been blessed with... Read More
The selection process of your wedding flowers will usually begin... Read More
Brides through the ages have accessorized with wedding jewelry to... Read More
When it comes to your catering services for your wedding,... Read More
The elegant and sophisticated look of glittering, gleaming gold. There's... Read More
Remember the frenzy of the paparazzi when they caught Sarah... Read More
Any marriage counselor will tell you that one of the... Read More
Congratulations! You have found the man of your dreams and... Read More
The wedding service in the Greek Orthodox faith is an... Read More
Many of the Jewish wedding traditions are derived from ancient... Read More
You and the one you love are dreaming of an... Read More
If you are actually planning your Las Vegas wedding reception,... Read More
Bluffs Chicago limousine service ..Almost there! This is the third lesson of my "Invitation... Read More
This season, a Caribbean honeymoon vacation will give you unlimited... Read More
It's important that your makeup look its absolute best for... Read More
Bridal showers are one of many pre-wedding parties and are... Read More
As Mark Twain said "Let us not be too particular;... Read More
Give disc jockey's credit. Many of them have endured so... Read More
Everybody who has decided to marry wants their day to... Read More
According to the Encarta Dictionary, love is an intense feeling... Read More
"Las Vegas hotel weddings give you tons of options. You... Read More
In marriages, many arguments and hurt feelings can be traced... Read More
If you're like most people, you probably entered into marriage... Read More
Biologically, a coupling between male and female (with some very... Read More
If the fires of passion in your marriage have been... Read More
Once upon a time a caveman, while out for a... Read More
With the cost of today's weddings spiraling to astronomical levels,... Read More
When it comes to your decorating budget it really depends... Read More
Gatlinburg in Tennessee is the city with streets of art... Read More
Every bride wants to look perfect on her wedding day.... Read More
To keep romance alive and nurture the intimacy in your... Read More
While signing a prenuptial agreement can be one of the... Read More
As a youngster -- or perhaps even as an adult... Read More
Receiving wedding gifts is a whole lot more fun when... Read More
There are many great options to consider for letting your... Read More
There's no way to absolutely guarantee that your marriage won't... Read More
You and the one you love are dreaming of an... Read More
Marriage & Wedding |