Twenty Ways to Make a good Marriage Great

This came from a member of the LDS church, but I think it has very good points for everyone- no matter your religious beliefs. Nothing bad would come from incorporating these things into our relationships - Only good! So, why not try?

By Richard W. Linford

1. Night and Morning Prayer … to say thanks, to ask for help in your marriage and family, to worship together.

2. A Weekly Planning Meeting … to discuss the calendar, talk over needs and problems, decide priorities and next steps. (Write decisions in a journal, including goals and discussion topics, and reasons for each.)

3. A Daily Phone Call or Personal Conversation … to say “I love you,” to touch base, to discuss the day, to show you care.

4. A Weekly Date … to a favorite park, a concert, the library, the gym; or staying home for a candlelight dinner, a game, or a mutual hobby.

5. Patience Regardless … of missed meals, tardiness, forgotten favors, a thoughtless remark, impatience.

6. Daily Service … helping with house or yard work, mending a piece of clothing, taking a turn with the sick baby, fixing a favorite meal. (Write it down. Do it!)

7. A Budget … to tie down income and expenses, help set financial goals, and give you control over your finances.

8. Listening … not only to what is said, but also to what is meant.

9. Regular Attendance … at church—and where possible—the temple.

10. Daily Scripture Reading … to learn the gospel, to receive inspiration for yourself and your marriage, to become more like Jesus.

11. Working Together … caring for a garden, painting a bedroom, washing the car, scrubbing floors, building a piece of furniture, writing a poem together, team teaching a class.

12. Forgiving Each Other … always learning from each other, trying a different way, being the first to make peace.

13. Courtesies … like saying please and thank you, not interrupting or belittling, not doing all the talking, continuing the niceties of courtship.

14. Soft and Kind Words … of tenderness, compassion, empathy.

15. Learning Together by … reading to each other, discussing ideas, taking a class.

16. Respecting … opinions, ideas, privacy.

17. Supporting Your Spouse’s … Church callings and righteous goals.

18. Caring for Your Spouse’s Family by … enjoying their company, praying for them, serving them, overlooking differences.

19. Occasional Gifts … such as a note, a needed item—but mostly gifts of time and self.

20. Loving with All Your Heart. “Thou shalt love thy wife [thy husband] with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her [him] and none else.” (D&C 42:22.)

Richard W. Linford, father of eight children and an operational auditor, is bishop of the East Millcreek Utah 11th Ward.

I just think that this list could do so much good on marriages and relationships we we all stop being so selfish, and really try to do these things with our spouse, for our spouse, and for the good of our families! What peace it could bring to our homes!
I really hope someone out there will read this and try incorporating at least one idea into their everyday life. I know I will be!

Hi, My name is...

Hi, my name is Jamie, and I'm addicted to food.

I know it's a weird thing to write a blog post about.

But I need to.

I need to show someone I love that they aren't the only person who suffers with addiction. I need this person to know that some of us also know how hard it is Every Single Moment to keep ourselves in control. I want them to know that I honestly believe we can overcome these addictions easier by sticking together, by checking in with each other, and having someone to help hold us accountable for our actions. We have to be honest with ourselves and others 100% of the time. No hiding. No cover ups. Keep it out in the open. Don't do anything that you'd be ashamed of telling your spouse. Or your mother. Or your best friend. Or a complete stranger.

Yesterday I ate 5 or 6 cookies. When no one was around to see me do it. And I feel like crud about it. But I'm telling you now. And I'm promising that I want to be better. I want to stop hiding while I eat. I want to be able to sit right in front of my children and not be ashamed of what I've eaten that day. Because I don't want them to be like me. I want them to be healthy. I want them to eat healthy food AND have healthy eating habits.

I honestly think some people just have an addictive streak. I'm no scientist, or doctor. I haven't done any research. But I think many of us are born with the ability to easily become addicted. And it just depends on what we have in our lives. I don't drink or smoke. But if I did - I'd probably become addicted. I don't do much exercise- but many years ago when i did - I started to become addicted to it. At this point it my life, I have food. And it is what I spend a majority of my time thinking about, or wanting.

I think we can all help each other if we stop hiding. Stop pretending nothings wrong. Stop thinking we are the only one in the world, or in our social circles, or in our family with this problem. With an addiction.

So I'm asking for a favor. Will you tell me what your addicted to and work with me to change? I mean really, honestly, for life - change?

Food? Drugs? Alcohol? Shopping? Computer? Exercise? Games? Porn? Tanning? Reading?

Some addictions don't seem as bad as others. Right now, I'm kinda wishing it was exercise I was addicted to. But any addiction can be unhealthy if left unchecked. When you neglect people/parts of your life because of an addiction - I think something's wrong. And we need to get it under control.

Please help me. Help me show this person that they aren't alone in this recovery process. I want to change myself. And I want this person to change too. Before something happens to their life that they can't fix. Please help me.

*If you're worried about legal ramifications of posting your name with your addiction fee free to do it anonymously.