Shared lives!

I have been thinking a lot about marriage in general and how grateful I am for it.  

I learned last semester in a Family Relations class that people are born 

with a need to connect with others.  

Marriage is definitely a way to connect, to be a part of something bigger than yourself, 

and to grow into something better than you wouldn't have been able to do on your own. 

From John Gottman's book,

 "The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work" 

I learned about 4 pillars or foundations that when done,

 can create a meaning and purpose for your marriage. 

I.  RITUALS OF CONNECTION-  I call them traditions.  It could be from sitting at the table having dinner together, to Christmas caroling, to family reunions.

II.  SUPPORT FOR EACH OTHER'S ROLES- When we support one another in the role's that we have then we can have harmony in our relationship and not tension.

III.  SHARED GOALS-  You can have a richer relationship with your spouse when you work together to reach a common goal.

IV.  SHARED VALUES AND SYMBOLS-  When you can find values or symbols like dining room tables, stories of ancestors, or, pictures of temples that mean something to the both of you, then they can be a strength in your marriage.

With all four of these pillars working together, 

a marriage will be supported and strong enough to withstand 

the many influences that are tearing marriages apart.

As I have studied these principles I smile, 

because they are things that my husband and I readily talk about in our day to day lives. 

 Traditions run deep in our family and I hope that they are carried on into our children's families. 

 I would be lost if I didn't have my husbands support as I am striving to accomplish my goals. 

 Both of us also have the same goals and values,  

we both believe in the plan of salvation and eternal life 

and our deepest desire is to get there together.  

We are both far from perfect, but with covenants made and our sights on Heaven, 

I believe the Lord can help us there!