For Your Marriage » Daily Marriage Tip

February 3, 2012

ecortright — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:23 +0000

(Reader’s Tip) I sing to him whenever he needs a little encouragement. Love songs work really well.

February 2, 2012

ecortright — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:48 +0000

(Ground Hog Day) Today it is customary for the groundhog to look for its shadow. Psychologists like to talk about recognizing our shadow side – our weaker traits. Identify one of your weaknesses. Does your spouse balance that with a corresponding strength? Vice-versa?

February 1, 2012

ecortright — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:07 +0000

(Black History Month) What is your ethnic heritage? Is it similar or different from your spouse? February is Black History Month. No matter what your race, it’s interesting to learn about your ethnic heritage. Are there any ethnic traits that you carry into your relationship?

January 31, 2012

ecortright — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:48 +0000

(Reader’s Tip) E-mail or write one or two positives to your spouse every day. They are worth the time!

January 30, 2012

ecortright — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:02 +0000

“The deepest insecurity for women is the fear of isolation and deprivation, and for men it’s a dread of failure and shame.” (Kristin Taveira) Does this ring true for you? Check it out with each other.

January 29, 2012

ecortright — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 05:00:12 +0000

In 2 Samuel, we hear of King David giving into lust for Bathsheba and then covering it up. To find another sexually attractive is not bad in itself, but don’t put yourself in places of needless temptation. Put your energy into the one you vowed to love.

January 28, 2012

ecortright — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:00:31 +0000

Do kids drain you of so much energy that you just want to stay home and veg out on a Saturday night? Consider sharing kids! Offer to take another couple’s child one night to give them a break. Then trade the favor the next week.

January 27, 2012

ecortright — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:47 +0000

“Within your family, when you shun violent words and actions and look for peaceful ways to resolve conflict, you become a voice for life” (Follow the Way of Love).

January 26, 2012

ecortright — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:48 +0000

Sometimes spouses have different conversation goals. I might raise an issue because I want to complain about how something didn’t work. My husband used to think I wanted him to explain why it didn’t work or try to fix it. Now I just say, “Hey, I want to ventilate.”

January 25, 2012

ecortright — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:51 +0000

Sometimes it’s worth doing something with your honey, just because it pleases the other person. For example, watch her favorite movie or his favorite sport, try dancing together, take a lesson…

January 24, 2012

ecortright — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:05 +0000

There are people in our midst who quietly go about doing thankless jobs like cleaning the toilet, changing sheets, stocking grocery shelves, picking up other people’s garbage, or working in a fast food restaurant. Thank someone for making your life easier. Maybe it’s your spouse.

January 23, 2012

ecortright — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:22 +0000

“Where you put your time, you put your life.” (Clayton Barbeau) This week is “Take Back Your Time Week”. What are your deepest values–your spouse, your children, your faith? Does the way you spend your time reflect these? If not, why not?

January 22, 2012

ecortright — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:00:39 +0000

“Then they abandoned their nets and followed [Jesus].” (Mk 1:18) The apostles were ready to leave their work to follow Jesus. Work is necessary but can steal time needed for our vocation – marriage. Ask your spouse if your work is in balance.

January 21, 2012

ecortright — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:00:56 +0000

“Taking time to rest is not a waste of time.” (Susan Vogt) Give yourself a break today or tomorrow – from kids, a chore, worries. It doesn’t have to be long to refresh. Take your cue from God, our creator, who rested on the seventh day.

January 20, 2012

ecortright — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:13 +0000

(Reader’s Tip) Every year on our anniversary we watch our wedding video together.

January 19, 2012

ecortright — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:32 +0000

Winning an argument is not about proving you’re right. It’s not YOUR problem or MY problem. It’s OUR problem. Sometimes the marriage can win if you lose.

January 18, 2012

ecortright — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:47 +0000

“Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” (Mt 14: 27) This is only one of the many times Jesus reminds his disciples not to be afraid. We are human, however, and we still have fears. What are you afraid of? What courageous thing have you done? Share your fears with your beloved.

January 17, 2012

ecortright — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:03 +0000

Did you have a dream last night? Recently? You say you seldom remember dreams? Try to remember tonight’s dream. You may be surprised. Share your scariest dream with your spouse.

January 16, 2012

ecortright — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:00:22 +0000

(Martin Luther King Day) Do you have a dream for your life together? You may not express it like Martin Luther King did, but having a dream gives direction to your life. Tell each other your dream.

January 15, 2012

ecortright — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 05:00:13 +0000

“The LORD called to Samuel, who answered, “Here I am.” (1S 3: 4) Today’s readings are about “call.” You may not think about your decision to marry as a call from God, but rather as an intense attraction to your beloved. Isn’t that what compelled the apostles to follow Jesus?

January 14, 2012

ecortright — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 05:00:19 +0000

Parenting can be a joy but it also puts stress on a marriage. Parenting young children is physically demanding. Parenting teens is emotionally draining. Which is harder? Whichever you have.

January 13, 2012

ecortright — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:23 +0000

(Reader’s Tip) We go somewhere, for example, a road trip around Florida, where we live. We have the best discussions on these trips. The best part is that we see things in a new light.

January 12, 2012

ecortright — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:38 +0000

Does my job rob us of couple time? For those whose work is in the home (both paid and unpaid) consider the same questions. Does taking care of our children or my volunteer work consume so much time that no energy or time is left for my beloved?

January 11, 2012

ecortright — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:49 +0000

“Anyone who wishes to give love must also receive love as a gift” (Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est).

January 10, 2012

ecortright — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:21 +0000

What is a unique endearing quality of your beloved? Have you told your spouse? No harm in saying it again. Do it today.