10 Steps To A Healthy Relationship / Marriage

I was reading CynCyn's blog just now and I came upon this interesting article on healthy relationships. Article is courtesy of
http://online-articles.org/relationship.s/site-map.php

I personally love step 3. I'm always telling my girl friends I want a guy who is spontaneous enough to do that kinda thing. And that's why I loathe Valentine's Day. It's a whole lot of bullshit and money making scam. There should't have to be one particular day to tell your loved one how much they mean to you by going out or buying flowers when everthing is 3x more expensive. You should be telling and showing them that you love them EVERYDAY!

10 Steps To A Healthy Relationship / Marriage

1. Make time for each other. It's so easy in our hyper-busy modern lifestyles to
forget to set aside a little time to enjoy each other's company. Start a weekly
tradition of setting a date for the two of you to be together doing something you
both enjoy. Keep it simple. Take a nice walk together. Sip coffee together in a
cozy coffeehouse. Talk to each other, reminisce, and get to know each other
again.

2. Take time off from each other. Give each other space and time to work on
hobbies and personal interests. When you have an interesting project to work
on, you will feel more fulfilled and you will be a more interesting person.

3. Make little romantic gestures. Remember to compliment your spouse. Leave a
little love note for them to find once in awhile. Celebrate the day you first met.
Send flowers for no particular reason.

4. Fight fair. Don't argue in front of other people. Don't insult each other or each
other's families. Never threaten divorce, and never go to bed angry. Let the
little things go, and don't make a big deal out of every disagreement. Before
arguing, think; is this really going to matter in the long run?

5. Take interest in what interests your spouse. Watch their favorite shows with
them. Read their favorite book, so you can talk about it with them. Encourage
them to develop their talents.

6. Listen to your spouse. Husbands, remember that women need to express their
feelings. Be a good sport and just listen. Don't interrupt, or get distracted.
Empathize with her. Let her know that you can relate to what she's feeling.
Ladies, please remember that the kind of talk you might like to have with your
husband does not come naturally to most men. Just be patient. It's not a good
idea to "unload" on him right when he comes home from work.

7. Accept your spouse for who they are. Practice total acceptance. Don't hold your
spouse to your expectations; you will only succeed at building resentment.

8. Express your commitment. In little ways, you can, and should, renew your vows
to each other over and over. Your spouse will feel comfortable and secure
knowing that you are truly committed to the marriage. True closeness will only
happen when all doubt and insecurity is replaced by confidence in the
relationship. Let your spouse know that you really are in it "till death do us
part."

9. Trust in each other. Don't be suspicious. Don't snoop through each other's
belongings. To help ensure the trust, be honest with your spouse in all things.
Never keep secrets from each other, not even little ones.

10. Make it your aim to be your spouse's best friend. Appreciate your spouse for
who they are. Loosen up and have fun with each other.