Since I have begun writing in the marriage section here at Families.com, I have read and researched many relationship articles and topics. There is one thing that I have found that most articles have in common.
In many articles that I have read they talk about how marriage is not easy and being in a relationship takes work.
My thoughts today are on how much work should it take? How difficult should it be to stay in a relationship?
While I know that there are many cases of give and take in a serious relationship and it does take effort on both parts, I am not sure that it should be difficult.
Being in even the happiest and most loving relationship can have emotional strain. The best of couples have ups and downs and arguments. However, the good should greatly outweigh the bad. The majority of the time should be spent in happy times. The large amount of feelings should be love and happiness. A couple should not have to continuously work to make each other and themselves happy. If you truly love a person, you will accept them as they are and they will effortlessly make you happy.
If you are continuously having to discuss your relationship and look for reasons to stay together and continue the relationship then maybe it is not meant to be.
While you should not enter a marriage or a relationship thinking that every day is a picnic and no effort will be needed on your part, you should also not lower your expectations for love. Love should be a good feeling that is shared equally between the two people.
If the feeling is not shared mutually between the two then the relationship will be uneven and unfair to one or both partners. Both partners are missing out on a true love that could exist.
The Biggest Challenges to Marriage