How to Keep Your Marriage on Track

by Dale Harcombe | More from this Blogger

03 Feb 2009 01:35 PM

Do you want to know how to keep your marriage on track? Recent blogs have looked at the ups and downs in marriage. While Mary Ann's been focusing on the things that can disrupt and harm a marriage and how to deal with them, I've mostly focused on the positive side of trying to build a marriage up. Together they give a good picture of what is involved in keeping a marriage on track.

My calendar the other day says 'little kindnesses, little acts of considerateness (I would have said consideration, but you get the drift), little appreciations, little confidences...they are all that are needed to keep the friendships sweet,' Hugh Black. We could adapt it to read 'all that are needed to keep a marriage sweet.'

Marriage should be a relationship where each one is considering the needs of the other and how they can please and encourage them.

It may often not seem like such a big deal to the person at the time but it is often the little things we remember. I was listening to the song 'Honey' by Bobby Goldsboro recently, where he recounts all little thing that stick in his memory about his wife who has died. These included things like when he gave her a puppy for Christmas Eve and it kept them awake or she 'wrecked the car' and she was wondering how he would react. Instead of being angry he was thankful she was okay. The car was only a material thing that could be replaced. She couldn't.

Years ago I had a similar experience when I had a car accident caused by another person not watching but worrying about their mobile phone, so she slammed into me. Mick's first question when I rang him afterwards, was not, 'Is the car okay?' Or 'how much damage was done?' but, 'Are you all right?'

I also remember him saying or doing thoughtful little things that he's forgotten about, like bringing me in a special flower or passion fruit from the garden. Because like the song says, it's always those little things that mean a lot. So, along with the compliments this week, try doing some little act of kindness or consideration each day to show your spouse how much you care.

Please visit these related blogs

Why I'm Happy to Submit to My Husband - part 2.

Marriage is a Compromise

Overcoming a Crisis in Marriage

Little Things Mean a Lot

Learn more about Dale Harcombe

Dale has a passion for books and writing. She writes in various forms, from articles to poetry to fiction for children and adults.

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cazerella (15) 29 Mar 2009 06:21 PM

How about some tips on Aspergers and Marriage. The main componant of Aspergers is the inability to communicate with their partner and the non aspergers partner can't communicate their needs to the as person. Communication is what all successful marriages have. Many of these marriage tips don't apply to Aspergers people or partners in marriages.

Some great research, insight and problem solving into the challenges of an asperger marriage would be appreciated!

Cheers Caz

Dale Harcombe (10327) 29 Mar 2009 06:53 PM

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll have to do a bit of research on that one as it's not something I know a lot about. But I'll see what I can find out.