Communication

Communication is key in having a happy and successful relationship. We practice communication more often than we think or may even realize. It is important to understand that one of the main causes of relationships falling apart is due to a lack of communication or miscommunication. If you can practice good communication skills than you should be able to have happier and more successful. A lack of communication is never good because people can misunderstand, people may get offended, and relationships may fall apart.

It is easy for people to misunderstand something you say, so it is very important that you are careful with what you say when you are around your friends or loved ones. More often than not someone may get mad at you for something you said; even though you didn't mean to say it in a way that would offend them. This is why it is important to think before you talk, just to make sure that you are actually conveying what you are meaning.

People tend to get offended too easily. It's understandable, but you need to remember that you choose to be offended. Just because someone does something that you don't like or agree with doesn't always mean that they are offending you on purpose. Don't get angry or offended by someone who honestly didn't intentionally mean to offend you.

It's not worth it for a relationship to fall apart because of a communication problem. Good communication will get you places and help you progress in different aspects of your lives. However, bad communications skills is no good. Work on your communication skills, and try to continue to improve them, because it will benefit not only your life, but the lives of those around you as well. Good communication is key in a healthy, happy, and successful relationship.

~Don't Forget to Smile!  

Stressors Vs. Crisis'

A Crisis and a Stressor are two different things, both of which affect the family, but affect the family in two different ways. One might wonder what the difference is between a Stressor and Crisis. Lets talk about a what a stressor is. A stressor is when something happens to a family or an individual family that causes stress or troublesome thoughts and feelings. It does not necessarily cause the family to change, no family member roles are shifted.

A Crisis is when something happens that dramatically affects the family to where changes in family roles may need to be changed. An example of this is when parent passes away especially while children are still living at home. The other parent is going to have to take on more responsibility, maybe take on a job or even two jobs to provide for the family. The children are going to have to be more self-reliant and possibly take over things at home more. The children would most likely have to take more care of each other rather then relying on their parents to be the nurturers.

You can conclude that a Crisis is more severe because it causes actual affect and change within the family. However, stressors can cause a lot of changes in the family as well; maybe not actual physical changes but maybe changes that might include adjustments in rules, church related topics, and other common stressful situations that everyone has to deal with it. Whether you and your family is going through a Crisis or a Stressor just remember to stay positive and do what's best for the family. The last thing you want is a broken family.

~Don't Forget to Smile!

Keeping a Successful Marriage

In order to keep a happy and successful marriage there needs to be total honesty. You need to be comfortable with your spouse to where you can openly communicate about certain things. Communication is key to having a happy and successful marriage; or any relationship in that matter. We need to be setting aside a certain amount of time each day for our spouse. Once the children come and jobs are established or whatever marriage brings you, you will be busy. It is crucial to be able to set aside time for each other and go out on an actual date at least twice a month.

Making time for your spouse is important because if you don't make time for them then you cannot keep that romantic relationship going. Woman can get used to not having sex after certain periods of time. This can draw a wedge between husband and wife. If you want a happy and successful marriage you need to stay clear of that wedge that draws couples apart. Keep in mind what your spouse wants, and learn to compromise and compassionately communicate one with another. If you do these simple things you can have a happier and more successful marriage.

~Don't Forget to Smile!

Enduring Love

There are many transitions in marriage that couples should really think about and discuss before getting married. Before marrying the person you think you want to marry, you need ask questions about the future and put yourselves in situations where you can really see how the other person would react. You don't want to end up marrying someone who ends up only wanting one child as opposed to wanting four like you do. You need to make sure that you know what they expect out of you in marriage as well as when your raising your family. Does the future husband expect his wife to work and put the children in day care? or does he expect his wife to stay home? Do you expect your future husband to work every day and do everything he can to provide for you, even if that means working two jobs? These are the kinds of questions you should really explore and bring up before marriage and maybe even before engagement.

There are many challenges that a couple is likely to encounter during their first month of marriage. A challenge that comes to mind is having the ability to share things and work as a unit as opposed to an individual. A husband and wife are supposed to work together in all they do; this can be a very tricky transition because we aren't use to having to do everything with another person.

I found a great video about enduring through life and never leaving your spouses side. Marriage isn't about being selfish and self-centered. It is about putting yourself aside and being there every step of the way for the one you love. This video illustrates the importance of love and care for one another in a healthy and successful marriage. If you are not willing to put yourself aside and be there one hundred percent and one hundred percent of the time, then you are not fully committed to that person. Marriage is all about transitions, it is up to us to find that special someone who can endure all those challenges and changes together.

Enduring Love

~Don't Forget to Smile!