Maybe you’re lonely because your spouse is never home.  Maybe they’re at home but still very distant…you’re searching for intimacy with your soul-mate, craving their companionship.  What can you do when you’re feeling so far away from your spouse?  First, communicate your need to your spouse in a non-confrontational and non-accusatory manner.  Let them know that you love them and want to spend time with them. ...

There are lots of qualities that matter: character, integrity, stability. But here’s something else to consider: look for someone who encourages you and has a positive outlook. It’s hard to have a happy marriage when your partner constantly criticizes you or makes you feel inadequate. Your spouse should be trying to build you up, not tear you down. And, it’s easier to have a happy marriage when you’re with someone...

I am so grateful for my 23 years of marriage to my wife, Susan.  She’s awesome! But I can tell you that I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my marriage. Here are 8 of them. Mistake number one…thinking that Susan was responsible for my happiness. In my early years of marriage, I felt like an important part of Susan’s “duty” as my wife was to make me happy. I was a bit more focused on me than us. Mistake number...

Let’s face it: we all make mistakes. And more often than not, the recipient of those mistakes is our spouse.  But small failures in a marriage don’t mean it’s time to give up.  Instead, it’s an opportunity to be honest with ourselves about the areas we struggle in so that we can learn.  So here are some common marriage mistakes and how to overcome them.  First, we often take our spouse for granted.  Instead, it’s...

It’s easy to instruct your mate on how they can be a better husband or wife.  But maybe it’s time to look at yourself.  Maybe it’s time for you to be the best you can be.  How? First, accept your spouse for who they are. Love them unconditionally. Accept their wonderful qualities…and their flaws. Second, applaud your spouse.  When you see your spouse doing something good, encourage them with your words. Third,...

Today I realized that I’ve been writing and speaking about how to have a great marriage, but I haven’t been putting all of it into practice.  Why? Well, a house flood, new book, financial pressures, family health challenges, and busyness have all played a role in keeping me from focusing on my marriage. But there’s no excuse. So, what am I doing about it? First, I’m re-reading some of my own blog posts on marriage...

Since the beginning of mankind, people have been trying to figure out what love truly is.  We’ve gotten answers from poets, novelists, theologians, even singers. So who has it right?  What is love?  Well, I may not have the perfect answer, but I would like to share with you what I’ve learned about love after 25 years of marriage.  Here are the Do’s and Don’ts of Marriage.  First, DON’T be selfish. DO put your...