In January 2006, I will be married to my husband for 29 years. I knew him for 2 years before that.
Marriage is a sacred vow to love your partner for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, till . well you know the rest. But for many people, the pressures, challenges, and monotony of married life has shrouded its wonderful positive aspects.
Great marriages don't just happen. You have to do something to make it last. Improve your marriage now. Remember that improvement is not a one-time event. It's a process, so better start now.
Being happy starts within you. If you can't be happy with yourself, then there's no chance that you'll be happy with someone else.
Be the best that you can be to your spouse.
The Qualities of a Successful Marriage
Love
Love is the most essential component in a relationship. It is the powerful force that binds two unique individuals together. A relationship will not start without love.
Support
Being a supportive spouse can be both a rewarding and a difficult role in a relationship. The most important aspect is being a loving presence always in your spouse's life. Being supportive means strengthening the partner. You bear the weight. It is quite a responsibility for any one to take on. The sense of responsibility grows deeper when your spouse faces certain problems. To avoid conflict, respect your spouse's personal decisions. Show that you have faith in your mate. Be the shoulder to lean on. Work together to maintain balance in your life together. Don't be threatened by your spouse's accomplishments. Be proud of your spouse's achievements. If you want to help your spouse to recover from a difficult situation, don't try to solve it on your own.
Tolerance
The meanings of tolerance in the dictionary are:
1. The power or capacity of an organism to tolerate unfavorable environmental conditions.
2. A disposition to allow freedom of choice and behavior.
3. The act of tolerating something.
4. Willingness to recognize and respect the beliefs or practices of others.
5. A permissible difference; allowing freedom to move within limits.
The given meaning has only one denominator. Patience. Without it, the word tolerance is nothing.
Always remember that it pays to be patient. As the saying goes, patience is a virtue.
Communication
All arguments can be solved through proper communication. If your partner annoys you for things he or she has done consciously or unconsciously, approach your spouse. Talk to each other. Explain that you are offended by that act. Remember that he or she can't read minds. Don't try to keep it inside. It will corrupt you. The annoyance will grow in your heart. Don't wait for it to burst one day. As early as possible discuss the problem with your spouse. If a certain thing bothers you, tell it straight to your spouse. It doesn't hurt to be straightforward. It is just a choice of words on how you will express yourself.
Realistic Expectations
Don't expect too much from your spouse. They are also humans bound to commit mistakes.
Caring
Show your spouse that you're concerned. During lunch, ask him or her if he or she has already eaten. Small simple things can mean a lot to them. Take time to notice your spouse. Say I love you everyday.
Nurturing
Grow with each other. Nurture intimacy. Live together and raise your children.
Sense of Humor
Laugh together. Have fun together. It is healthy to stretch out those lazy lips. Don't be too serious. Pressures of life? Don't let it weigh you down. Uplift your spirits high. Don't take things too seriously. Stop trying to be perfect because no person is. Always put on a happy face! Smile immensely. It can really change the way you and other people feel. Happiness is a choice, so don't choose to frown. A wrinkle on the face is ugly.
Smiling is considered as one of the fountains of youth. Smile wide. Make the world a brighter place to live in. Don't forget to laugh and joke around. Be kind and smile at everyone, especially your spouse. If tensions start to grow, smile at him or her.
Laugh out loud. It's the best medicine in town. Heal your body, mind and soul. Fill your life with laughter so that you won't have much room left for negative emotions.
Commitment
A happy couple in a happy marriage develops bonding rituals. These become the pillars that hold up the marriage. Show your dedication every day.
Respect
Appreciate each other's eccentricities and differences, especially as woman and man. Learn to be happily different. Learn to give and take. Practice kindness and politeness with each other in at least 95 percent of your interactions.
Know how to handle conflict
Don't make things worse by not talking to each other. Look into your spouse's eye when asking him or her. Don't delay the conversation for quite a long time. This will only make the conflict worse.
Solve problems together
Resolve arguments rather than letting things fester. Speak up. It will not aggravate the situation.
Interdependence
Learn to reciprocate.
Enjoy one another
Focus on enjoying life. Live a carefree life. Think that your spouse is the one that really matters in this world. Do things together. Excite your relationship by finding new ways to enjoy each other.
Have fun together
Play in the rain together. Isn't it great to be a child once in a while? Run like a madman while you chase each other in the rain.
If you would like to learn more, you can visit http://www.self-help-motivation-source.com/marriagesecrets.html

About The Author

Marlene Challis is founder and CEO of Mc Internet Marketing. She has several business branches and websites. She can be contacted through the website, www.self-help-motivation-source.com. Feel free to republish this article provided you do not edit it in any way and include the author bio as well.