28 Things That Really Do Matter In Marriage (Short Shots On Living An Exceptional Life)

In my opinion, these things matter...

1. Valuing commitment over instant pleasure and faithfulness beyond short term displeasure.

2. Telling less than I feel for the purpose of learning more than I know.

3. Choosing to have mutual conflict become the playing field where we celebrate victory as opposed to the battle field where the only winners are division and discord.

4. Delighting in the dream of another -- not necessarily because I share the dream but because I'm in love with the one who owns it.

5. Appreciating what I do well in the face of what the other does better -- and doing so without downplaying either.

6. Calling it a night before calling it off.

7. Reinforcing habits that heal and breaking habits that make healing necessary.

8. Misplacing grudges more often and finding praises more often than not.

9. Making honor a way of seeing,
10. Gratefulness a way of speaking,
11. Listening with the heart a way of hearing,
12. And responding in self-control a way of emoting.

13. Striving to win as a team instead of simply striving to win.

14. Saying "I love you" more often -- without saying it.

15. Keeping a better score of what was done right than what wasn't done "as right as I would like."

16. Misplacing "You should have" more and finding "I'm glad you did" more often.

17. Developing and maintaining our own mutual admiration society.

18. Helping when I can,
19. Stopping when I should,
20. And listening a whole lot in between.

21. Speaking truth without a hurtful agenda and laying aside conflicting agendas for the sake of loving in truth.

22. Hating the word "betrayed" and choosing to join forces in waging a war against all it represents.

23. Loving for all the relationship is worth -- because it really is worth it all.

24. Working hard at words that work well instead of making it hard because "working hard at the relationship" is not in my vocabulary.

25. Realizing that forgiveness doesn't automatically make everything right -- it simply creates a more solid foundation for the remainder of the journey.

26. Learning how to laugh, cry, struggle, shout, pout, fight, celebrate and rejoice as a couple that cares as opposed to one that cares not at all.

27. Realizing there is no such thing as a "50/50" relationship in marriage. It's a "110/110" deal. We give our all -- and then some -- in order to make it all work out.

28. Choosing to make laughter, encouragement, joy, and mutual expressions of love permanent residents in our home instead of guests we hope will some day arrive.

____________________________________
© Lee Wise All rights reserved. You may freely distribute
this article. The copyright and this resource box must be
included. http://abeautifulmomentintime.blogspot.com

Avoid pain/create pleasure. For A Beautiful Moment In Time
go here --> http://www.motivation-for-daily-living.net

In The News:

---

New York Times
Eloping to Vegas? Why Not Lower Manhattan?
New York Times, United States - Jan 7, 2009
“With these new digs, there might just be a new world wedding capital.� The city clerk’s office issued 66600 marriage licenses 2007 and performed about ...
Manhattan's new Marriage Bureau earns wows as a place to say your vows New York Daily News
NY hears wedding bells, aims to compete with Vegas The Associated Press
Wedding Bells Ring In NYC Marriage Bureau WNYC
Downtown Express - Gothamistall 254 news articles

Boston Globe
‘Bride Wars’ is a failed marriage | 1 ½ stars
Kansas City Star, MO - 12 hours ago
And their mutual friends will have to decide which wedding to attend. All would be well if only one of them would cancel (or if they would agree to a double ...
Video: Ann Hathaway's Stellar Year CBS
Two Weddings and a Furor New York Times
'Bride Wars' A Marriage Of Mediocrity Tampa Tribune
Boston Globe - Washington Postall 729 news articles

New York Times
Movie review: Cliches nag 'Not Easily Broken'
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 4 hours ago
The opening wedding scene in the new Bill Duke film, "Not Easily Broken" is so overwrought and cliched, it's akin to sitting down with a promising novel, ...
Not Easily Broken ( ** ) AHN
Movie Review: ‘Not Easily Broken’ is a romantic soap opera that ... Providence Journal
» Inspirational drama anything but 'Broken' Chicago Daily Herald
Pittsburgh Post Gazette - Kansas City Starall 67 news articles

Los Angeles Times
'Bride Wars' stars Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway are funny allies
Los Angeles Times, CA - 17 minutes ago
While weddings are a familiar trope to Hollywood comedies, spawning such films as "Wedding Crashers," "The Wedding Planner" and "Four Weddings and a Funeral ...

FOR FAMILIES: A guide for parents to Jan. 9 and earlier releases
Chicago Tribune, United States - 9 hours ago
By Roger Moore | Tribune Newspapers What it's about: Best friends become dueling brides when they both book the wedding they've always dreamed of in the ...

Wedding war: Las Vegas versus New York
KVBC, NV - 7 hours ago
The city has renovated it marriage bureau and even built a 24000-square-foot wedding complex with the hope of becoming the most popular wedding site. ...

Wearing white and eating cake, Brides magazine turns 75
The Canadian Press, NEW YORK - 19 hours ago
"The magazine is realistic about how people's lives are today, but still the focus is how to have a successful wedding and start a healthy marriage," says ...

New York Magazine
City to Make Your Shotgun Marriage Just That Much Nicer
New York Magazine,  USA - Jan 7, 2009
Photo: Getty Images Perhaps sensing the economic downturn (and having eventually watched the Sex and the City movie), the city spruced up its civil-wedding ...

MLive.com
Bay County gets older, refrains from marriage, likes guns ...
MLive.com, MI - 18 hours ago
Luczak said economics could be partly to blame, as young couples struggling to get a foothold in life may be putting off the expense of a wedding.

MSNBC
Couple goes from divorce to 'I Do Again'
MSNBC - 12 hours ago
Cheryl and Jeff Scruggs, founders of Hope Marriage Ministries, recount the slow destruction of their relationship, which ended in divorce. ...

marriage wedding - Google News

Choosing the Wedding Disc Jockey

Your wedding day is the day when all the details that you've always thought about will come together and planing that day may take more than a... Read More

Are American Women Driving Their Men Away?

Recently, I stumbled across something on the internet. A particular website caught my eye... and provided a solid hour or more of eye-opening reading. What was it?This... Read More

Is Eloping For You?

Believe it or not, there is etiquette on how to elope, and how to handle all the important people in your life who may feel spurned by... Read More

Diamond Engagement Ring, on Two Months Salary - Maybe Not!

Diamond spending - well, that is up to you. What to spend on a diamond is a tough and personal question. Two months' salary is a guideline.Chances... Read More

What You Should Know About Buying Engagement Rings Online

Buying engagement rings online doesn't have to be confusing or intimidating. In fact, the nice thing about shopping online is that you can browse several online stores... Read More

Eight Cheap Honeymoon Ideas for Couples on a Budget

Between paying for the wedding and setting up a new household, many couples find there's not much money left in their budget for the honeymoon. But who... Read More

Guide to a Growing Trend: The Green or Ecological Wedding

Does it seem like the phrases "ecology" and "wedding" could hardly have less in common?With the average wedding costing well over 15 thousand today, one would think... Read More

The Gracious Bride

The key to being a gracious bride is to be genuine, thoughtful and courteous if you can pull this off making sure you have a good time... Read More

The Perfect Bridal Makeup for Your Wedding Day

It's important that your makeup look its absolute best for your wedding day. Whether you plan to marry on a beach at noon or at night under... Read More

Wedding Day Hair Styles - A Top Ten Checklist

The big day is fast approaching, and the energy of the moment sweeps you up. But does it carry your hair along too? Use the following checklist... Read More

Write An Apology To Your Spouse: How to Apologize In a Way That Really Works For You

Being apologetic doesn't come easily for me. Unfortunately, being inconsiderate and self-centered does. So I realized long ago that my marital survival would depend on two things:... Read More

The Second Time - Another White Wedding?

That first wedding was a dream, a gorgeous long white wedding dress, a beautiful church, luscious bridesmaids and the groom in tails. Plus all the trimmings and... Read More

Exciting Costa Rica Honeymoon Vacations

Couples experiencing their first Costa Rica honeymoon vacations are never dismayed. This scenic Central American nation is rich in nature and wildlife, with pristine oceanic coasts on... Read More

Wedding Rings

Your wedding rings were meant to last a lifetime. They are the unique symbol of your devotion to each other and the design should be something that... Read More

Marriage Counseling: What to Do When a Spouse Flirts Too Much

When Alicia first met Tim, she found him outgoing, charming, and easy to talk to. She thought he was very witty and funny, always the life of... Read More

Wedding Frames ? Are Your Wedding Photographs Safe?

One of the top priorities on a wedding day is to make sure every moment is captured with great photographs. These once-in-a-lifetime memories are irreplaceable and making... Read More

Wedding Receptions: How To Set Up The Tables

Getting the wedding tables right can make a big difference to your wedding reception. Get things right, and the reception will be a great event enjoyed by... Read More

How To Keep Love Alive In Your Marriage

In the beginning of a relationship, love seems to have a life of its own. Without much effort, you feel like you are on top of the... Read More

The SURGE of the URGE!

Have you ever heard the expression, "The Urge to Merge"?It is a term relating to sexuality and marriage. The "URGE" symbolizes sexual interest, and the "MERGE" symbolizes... Read More

Flowers in Her Hair

Before George W Bush became a President, John Quincy Adams was the first son of a President to become a President himself. But while John Quincy Adams... Read More

How to Have a Sizzler of a Honeymoon! Article No.1

Henry Vlll and Elizabeth Taylor, who between them had fourteen spouses, would have had quite a few headaches planning their weddings. There would be the obvious ones... Read More

Planning Your Wedding Reception

Great deals can be found when you know how much money you are working with. It really doesn't matter how small your budget is for the reception... Read More

Loose Moissanite Stones, A Great Way to Buy Your Moissanite Jewelry

Moissanite is fast becoming the new diamonds. The newest jewelry stone on the market, moissanite is fashionable. Moissanite stones are manufactured to exacting standards, and so produce... Read More

For Second Weddings Only - Eight Tips

Planning a second wedding? Prevent favorite guests comparing your second wedding, to the first wedding. It isn't tricky but it will take some thought. Whether guests will... Read More

Las Vegas Wedding Chapels

In Las Vegas, once you get your marriage license you don't have to wait for any predetermined amount of time and there is no blood test required... Read More

Have a Garden Theme Dream Wedding

You've found the perfect venue: old oaks, a stone wall, a gazebo, acres of fragrant jasmine and honeysuckle, and even a small, clear pond. Now it's time... Read More