Happy relationships don’t just happen, they are created. As with any other creation, it will take work, time, and commitment to see a beautiful outcome. If you put forth the effort, though, you will experience a wonderful and fulfilling payoff. The following are ten rules for a happy relationship that will last a lifetime.
1–Be willing to give. Relationships are not always a fifty-fifty deal. There will be times when you will be giving everything and other times when it will be your partner shouldering most of the load. You must be ready to take on whatever portion of the work that you have to in order to keep the relationship thriving. Commit to yourself that you will do that and don’t keep a scorecard of who is giving more.
2–Do not get in the habit of nagging and complaining. This is a terrible thing to do to the one that you love and it will break down a relationship faster than you may realize. Being nagged and complained about is emotionally exhausting, not to mention that it can destroy a person’s self-worth.
3–Watch your words. Our words can speak life or death to our partner. Avoid negative talking, and remember that even joking can be hurtful if it is degrading to your partner or your relationship. Speak good things, such as compliments and encouragements.
4–Accept your partner, faults and all. Not one of us is perfect and yet, we often expect that our partners should be. We do this even as we demand that they accept our faults without a single qualm.
5–Be a happy person. Happy people have happy relationships. If you aren’t happy with yourself, it will put an unhappy cast on everything you do and the people around you, especially your partner, will feel it. Keep yourself emotionally, spiritually, and physically healthy and it will be reflected in your relationships.
6–Keep the intimacy and romance alive. Don’t forget to feed the fire of your passions together. Relationships can fall into places where there is a gap in intimacy quite easily if the two people aren’t doing things to prevent it from happening. Date one another, dress up once in a while, do special things that keep you close.
