You’ve heard the old adage ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away,’ but how about,’a compliment a day keeps divorce away.’ Okay, maybe that’s a tad simplistic but the general principle, of making a habit each day of complimenting your spouse for something they have done or for some quality you love about them, is sound. E.g. I might say to Mick,‘I really appreciate the way you support me and come to events where I’m singing even though sometimes it’s boring.’
At the supermarket the other day a woman packing the bag jokingly said to me, ‘That’s for Muscles to carry. That’s why you brought him along.’
‘I knew I was good for something,’ Mick quipped in reply.
‘We women don’t tell our guys often enough,’ the woman on the checkout said.
Yes, it was all in jest but there’s an element of truth to it. We don’t compliment our guys enough. We don’t tell them how much we appreciate them and the things they do. How about making a conscious effort this week to pay your guy a compliment each day- a heartfelt compliment, not just flattering words? And guys, the same goes for you. How about telling your woman the things you love about her.
If we paid a bit more attention to our spouse in this way our marriage would be in better shape. And if you’re not already married but are heading that way, why not making it part of your life now, – a habit to keep up once you are married? How hard is it to say thank you and compliment him for a job well done?
As an example, the other morning Mick went off to play tennis – something I haven’t been able to do yet. I was home writing and that was a productive time, although I still find it hard seeing him go off with the tennis racket. When he came home he said ‘Do you want to go for a swim now?’ As it was around 35 degress Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) I promptly agreed the water was beautiful! I told him what a great idea it had been of his for us to come and how I appreciated his thoughtfulness. It’s only a little thing but it was one compliment he got that day. And I’m always complimenting him on the veggies he grows or for mowing the lawn and making the yard look nice. They’re only little things but I believe they make a difference. But the only way you’ll know, is if you try it.
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Are You Eroding Your Marriage?
Seven Habits That Will Harm Your Marriage