Relationships are what make us tick. Our loved ones that we share life’s milestones with and those who are there to put up with us when we’re a little grumpy, relationships give us so many great gifts! Every happy relationship needs some maintaining. Here are the relationship secrets that hold the key to a happy marriage.
Respect
This one is pretty much non-negotiable. A healthy relationship craves an equal amount of respect from both parties. This is the secret to compromising, overcoming stress and even enjoying the good times. Respect can built on and gained over time but you also have to recognise its importance for long-term love.
Independence
Couples are often considered as ‘one half of a whole’ but we think it’s a lot different from that. We love this quote from The Prophet by Kahil Gibran :
Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Great relationships have the ability to stand tall together while with a respectful amount of distance.
Honesty
Again, as with respect, honesty and truth make every moment of a relationship easier. While we’re not saying you need to share what you had to eat everyday, having as much transparency as possible makes life’s hiccups that bit easier. Yes, we know, it’s easier said than done but being a relatively open book when it comes to your emotions has amazing long-term benefits.
Overcoming The Small Stuff
So, they didn’t take out the bins again. Or you just got scolded for forgetting a family birthday – it happens. When you get to your 50th anniversary, do you think you’ll remember the time he forgot to feed the dog or the time he surprised you with a weekend away? Issues that crop up again and again need to be dealt with too but not taking the smaller issues too seriously is always a healthy attitude to have.
