N = Negotiate
Negotiate when it comes to difficult situations. The willingness to compromise, to give and take, will encourage your spouse to reciprocate. No one always gets what he or she wants, but you may be able to get part of what you want by offering to give up something else.
O = Oasis
Your marriage and your home should be an oasis for you and your spouse. It should be the one place you can each be yourselves without fear of judgment. It should be a refuge from the outside world and the demands of life.
P = Playfulness
Have fun together. Enjoy simple things and childhood pleasures. Eat ice cream together. Blow bubbles. Laugh. Joke. Play!
Q = Quiet Moments
Cherish quiet moments together. While some people seem to think there should always be something going on or that silences are uncomfortable, it is healthy and rejuvenating to occasionally spend quiet moments together doing nothing.
R = Reruns
Call it whatever you like, reruns or instant replays, but bringing up things from the past to throw in each others’ faces is not good for your marriage. Once you forgive and move forward, leave the past in the past.
S = Sharing
Sharing is accomplished in many and varied ways. It involves sharing thoughts, hopes, dreams, problems, and also involves time, money, and material things. The more you share with your spouse, the more he or she will reciprocate.
T = Trust
Being suspicious is not a very attractive quality. If your spouse has not given you reason for distrust, give him or her the benefit of the doubt. Trust is imperative for a happy and lasting marriage. On the same note, do not give your spouse reason not to trust you.
*Drop by tomorrow for the final installment, U – Z.