I came across this article and thought it was a shining example of how to stay married for 50+ years! And, it also ties in perfectly with the Challenge, Homework and Suggestion, I encourage for you in your own relationship…
Maybe the Rolling Stones said it best: ‘You can’t always get what you want.’ It’s true about all aspects of life, including marriage. During their 50+ years together, Georgette & Richard have faced a lot: layoffs, a serious illness & several periods of bleak finances. These challenges put a strain on their marriage, but Richard & Georgette faced it all with a “bend, don’t break” philosophy.
“It’s just a fact,” Richard says. “Life is not going to turn out exactly the way you hope. After all, no one hopes to become seriously ill, get fired or have a marriage on the rocks. But it happens. So, you have to make adjustments, make a Plan B … or even a Plan C.”
Georgette notes, “I wish all young couples would be told that it’s not a question of IF you’ll face some serious challenge in your life and marriage, it’s a question of when. Then they’d be better prepared to adapt to change and to let go of the things that one simply can’t control. Richard and I might not be as flexible physically as we once we, but mentally and emotionally -- we’re dadgum ballet dancers!”
Challenge: Learn to appreciate that relationships are about unselfish flexibility. Realize that it is ‘normal’ for a relationship to struggle or disagree. It’s HOW you struggle or disagree that makes you different.
Homework: Make a list of at least 1 blessing you, your mate & your family receives in a day. Get creative & do as David & I did and create a “monument” of stones with the name of the blessing written on the stone (see the photo). It’s amazing when you focus on what IS going well, that working together on what isn’t going well doesn’t require as much ‘flexibility’!
Suggestion: To learn how to deal with the sabotaging emotions & behaviors in your relationship that are created by life’s struggles, attend our next available couples training on April 14-15, 2012. Hurry only 12 couple seats left! For more info, testimonies or to register go to: www.creatingintimacyandrespect.com or contact 800.229.9252
Maybe the Rolling Stones said it best: ‘You can’t always get what you want.’ It’s true about all aspects of life, including marriage. During their 50+ years together, Georgette & Richard have faced a lot: layoffs, a serious illness & several periods of bleak finances. These challenges put a strain on their marriage, but Richard & Georgette faced it all with a “bend, don’t break” philosophy.
“It’s just a fact,” Richard says. “Life is not going to turn out exactly the way you hope. After all, no one hopes to become seriously ill, get fired or have a marriage on the rocks. But it happens. So, you have to make adjustments, make a Plan B … or even a Plan C.”
Georgette notes, “I wish all young couples would be told that it’s not a question of IF you’ll face some serious challenge in your life and marriage, it’s a question of when. Then they’d be better prepared to adapt to change and to let go of the things that one simply can’t control. Richard and I might not be as flexible physically as we once we, but mentally and emotionally -- we’re dadgum ballet dancers!”
Challenge: Learn to appreciate that relationships are about unselfish flexibility. Realize that it is ‘normal’ for a relationship to struggle or disagree. It’s HOW you struggle or disagree that makes you different.
Homework: Make a list of at least 1 blessing you, your mate & your family receives in a day. Get creative & do as David & I did and create a “monument” of stones with the name of the blessing written on the stone (see the photo). It’s amazing when you focus on what IS going well, that working together on what isn’t going well doesn’t require as much ‘flexibility’!
Suggestion: To learn how to deal with the sabotaging emotions & behaviors in your relationship that are created by life’s struggles, attend our next available couples training on April 14-15, 2012. Hurry only 12 couple seats left! For more info, testimonies or to register go to: www.creatingintimacyandrespect.com or contact 800.229.9252
No comments:
Post a Comment