Marriage works always when you do the work

Single people can be utterly self focused, but successful couples see themselves in terms of their relationship, with shared ambitions and dreams. ILLUSTRATION | IGAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • People do break them of course, and still lead good lives.
  • Knowing yourself means understanding your goals and purpose in life.

In today’s materialistic world, it’s easy to forget that it’s only our relationships that really matter in life. But that’s absolutely true.

Like can you imagine standing at the gates of Heaven trying to argue your way in just because you once owned a BMW? And yet most of us find our partners almost by accident. You wouldn’t choose a car that way, would you? So why not have a strategy for finding your ideal partner? And keeping them.

Because the rules for having a happy marriage are actually very simple. People do break them of course, and still lead good lives. But your chances of success are much greater if you follow the rules.

GETTING MARRIED

The first one’s not getting married too soon! Meet lots of people and learn how to be a good partner. But don’t think about marriage until you’ve become a truly independent adult. And have developed a fully mature relationship with your parents.

Because for your marriage to succeed, you must place each other above everyone else. Including your parents.

The next requirement’s to know yourself. Most people never do! They just accept whatever happens to them and never ask the reason why.

Instead, try to understand why you behave the way you do. Especially at times when you’re stressed.

Think about your principles, beliefs, preferences and interests. What you believe about God. What makes you angry. Or sad. Your expectations in marriage. What motivates you.

GOALS

Knowing yourself means understanding your goals and purpose in life. So you can look for someone whose values are similar to yours. Because men and women whose background, attitudes, principles and beliefs are a good match are much more likely to be successful together.

And what should you do once you’ve found the love of your life? Well, above all be open and honest with one another. And totally committed to your relationship. There’s nothing more poisonous than the attitude “I’m only here until someone better turns up....”

And it may sound very politically incorrect, but the scriptures are right. A wife should give herself to her husband. Completely. He should be the most important part of her life. Even more than her children. And a man should love his wife even more than he loves himself.

SOCIAL LIFE

Putting her way above his work and social life. Both sharing a deep feeling that come what may they’ll always be together. Single people can be utterly self focused, but successful couples see themselves in terms of their relationship, with shared ambitions and dreams.

So that each of their self-images totally embraces the other.

They also protect their intimate lives from the demands of work and their children. Because good sex – lots of it – is the best glue there is for holding a marriage together. So never neglect your partner’s physical needs. Through all of life’s disappointments and frustrations.

Maybe you’ll never be rich. But follow this strategy and you’ll always be happily married.