Relationshipy-ship: Golden Rule No.1

The book I'm reading prior to "the bells" is very helpful to not only those who are going to tie the knot, but to anyone who is in a relationship because this book talks about building the basic foundations of a successful relationship.



I'm sure that if you put these Golden Rules into practice ( It really helps! ), you will reap the benefits of a beautiful lasting relationship with your darling/honey/sweetheart/buttercup/cutesy-pie/smoochie-bug/Tigger/Munchkin/poopy/Fuzzy-wuzzy...ok ok ya you get what I mean.

SO here's a summary of

GOLDEN RULE NO.1:
Make time for each other and HAVE FUN together!

To grow closer as a couple, both must be PROACTIVE in the relationship, not REACTIVE. Relationships thrives on creativity and initiatives not the constant blast of expectations and accusations of "why can't you be more this and that...".




Thus, we need to take the initiative to make time for the things that we believe are important- and we need to make them NOW!

To deprive a relationship of time spent together is like depriving each other of air, or a plant of water.



Time together with the people who matter most does not JUST HAPPEN- it requires a deliberate and determined decision.

Time together is SIMPLE but POWERFUL!

Plan it!



Prioritize it!



Protect it!



Keeping time for each other is not easy and it is the 1st thing that can slip quietly out of a loving relationship.

2 weeks WITHOUT the opportunity to relax, have fun and communicate together properly is a LLLOOOONNNGGGGGG time in marriage/relationship. When we have had time together, we experience a sense of well-being.



BUT it doesn't mean we shouldn't have time apart although a priority must be given to find activities that both enjoy.

Somethings we feel differently about and some interests we will be unable to share together. (work/social events/church activities/ personality/abilities/level of self-confidence)



" Many couples have trouble with this aspect. They feel abandoned when their partner wants time apart (going out with his peers, football, watch football etc etc etc). In reality, we all need time apart, which makes us realize the need to be back together again. People in healthy relationships cherish each other's space and are champions of each other's causes. If both attitude's are right, pursuing interest separately can be good but some interest needs to be stopped if it puts a strain on the relationship."

The process of blending 2 lives into 1 can only happen as we develop a regular pattern of disclosing to one another our separate worlds.



IN A NUT SHELL:

At the heart of a strong relationship is a strong friendship. Even good friendships drift apart unless it is positively fed and held together. Regular time together is the 1st investment needed to keep the friendship growing and to provide a firm foundation for a strong relationship;
it is a means of staying closely connected and to keep the romance alive.




NEXT GOLDEN RULE: COMMUNICATING