Aarti
We did a lot of the labor ourselves and relied on the talents of friends and family in an effort to keep the wedding budget down. As I removed our wedding cake from the oven the day before the ceremony—a cake I had prepared from scratch—I had the epiphany, “Maybe I’m doing too much work on my wedding.” While planning a wedding is no picnic, the work and worry that goes into a marriage are far more. This is particularly important if you want your marriage to be strong and endure.
Dr. Neil Clark Warren, in his book “Learning to Live with the Love of Your Life,” draws on his thirty years of counseling experience and interviews with one hundred happy couples to identify ten secrets to a happy marriage. The following ten abilities are fundamental to a happy marriage, said Dr. Warren. To have a happy marriage, follow these 10 secrets he gave.
1. Dream a Dream.
Your marriage can only flourish and reach its full potential if you and your husband work together to build a shared vision for the future.
2. Get Tough.
Marriage is a long-term commitment that requires both partners to put in a lot of effort.
3. Maximize the Trust Factor.
Get to know your husband better by learning to trust him and being truthful with him.
4. Get Healthy.
When spouses are emotionally stable, their marriage has a lot better chance of succeeding. See a therapist if you or your partner is struggling with mental health concerns or has a negative view of yourself.
5. Work on Chemistry.
Maintain an air of passionate romance in your marriage. Get back to the basics of what made you fall in love and expand upon those.
6. Learn to Talk.
In a healthy marriage, communication is key. Do yourself and your relationship a favor and brush up on your communication skills.
7. Work it Through.
Arguments are inevitable, even in happy relationships. Mastering conflict resolution and developing a plan for your marriage will help you through the hard times.
