How to Make your Marriage Happy

According to a 2012 estimation by the PolitiFact.com, – the lifelong probability of a marriage ending up in divorce is 40% – 50%. It means as much as half of the marriages taking place have the chance of meeting an unhappy ending within the first 10 years. Well, these statistics are indeed negative and depressing to come across. But, if they present a picture of our society, then isn’t it upon us to set things right? Why union of two people for a lifetime is becoming a challenging concept to grasp for the men and women of our times?

How to Make Your Marriage Happy?
Firstly, even before getting married we should protect our mind from all the negative vibes surrounding this institution in recent times. We might get inspired by the couples who successfully lived together for 50-60 years. But, it is important to realize that marriage is an individual experience. We cannot form an opinion about this major event in our life based on the experiences of others.

Secondly, we can pay attention to the inner voice within us which provides us ample signals to settle down with a partner of our choice when the time is right naturally. Many people ignore such inner voices and end up clueless about marriage later. Such an indication is bound to emerge within ourselves as a time-ordained process of nature. A decision regarding a particular aspect of our life taken at a right juncture is bound to succeed. Marriage is no exception.

Thirdly, people who are open to learning, positive and constructive in nature can make their union with a partner successful. While we spend the life before marriage as a single entity, it is indeed an experience of a lifetime to see how we fair in the company of a partner. This calls for adjustment or breaking out of the zones of comfort in several areas of our life. Those who succeed in doing so lay a strong foundation of a long lasting relationship. Initially, the expectations should be kept low.

Events which happen in the lives of a couple after they get used to each other are unique and cannot be predicted. But, there are some traits found in the couple who happily remain together. These traits are selflessly taking up family responsibilities, leading by example in correcting the vices unbearable to their partner and honesty. Though attraction brings two people closer to each together, personal commitment towards the institution, respect for the partner and accepting him or her which all the vices keep the bonding strong for years. The secret of a successful marriage is to show the courage and give to the partner first without expecting much in return.

In short, placing of a voluntary effort to work towards the marriage from one partner, definitely impresses and encourages the other partner to join in the act. What follows is a never ending series of healthy exhibition of mutual efforts towards the partner and the institution in general. The respect earned from a partner by proving one’s commitment in the union transcends itself as a long lasting and true love. This in turn gives birth to restoring of unshakable faith and deep sense of interdependence between the partners leading to a successful marriage.

Now lets have a look at some of the important steps you might want to take to make your marriage happy –

• Communicate: Honestly talk about your feelings with each other. If something is bothering you, be vocal about it with your partner and find a solution for it
• Maintain your individuality: Most of us try to be what our spouse wants us to be. In the long run, we are left frustrated. Love and be yourself. Likewise, respect your partner’s opinions, feelings and individuality, even if they don’t match yours
• The “our” time: Make some time for just the two of you every day. No kids, work or television allowed
• The getaway: Plan out a short weekend outing for you and your spouse once a month. It might not be necessarily exotic but definitely special
• Be passionate: Never lose your passion for life and love whether your are 18 or 80
• Be happy: Happy people make happy marriages. Do what makes both of you happy
• Small gestures: Small gestures like holding hands, smiling, singing out together will take your marriage a long way
• Appreciate: Stop taking your spouse’s efforts for granted. Instead, appreciate all the gestures and steps the other takes to make you happy and comfortable
• Compliment: Be generous with your compliments and stingy with your criticism of your partner
• Enter into a partnership: Fairly and squarely divide the household chores. A perfect partnership is possible only through mutual understanding and cooperation