Thinking Beyond 2011

It is very easy to jot down our New Year Resolutions than fulfilling it. More and more people have figured out the importance of spending more time with their family than working and earning money. In fact, this toppled the others in the recent global survey of New Year Resolutions. Spending time with family was a bit neglected by some ever-busy people. I prefer calling it New Year Resolution because it's us who do it not the new year itself. New Year's mean its 2011's prerogative if it will make things happen or not. See the difference?

So, thinking beyond 2011, what is our goal for our family? Or have we thought about that question? Was losing weight or salary increase a priority? It will all fall to our values in life. In life, there are sacrifices but too much of it may bring suffering. Greed may consume us. Anger, jealousy and bitterness could replace the compassionate and loving heart of a father, husband or brother.

If we will sit down with multi-million man or woman for a talk, they will tell us so many things about their life. I must suppose to summarize their talk in 2 categories- one, is about how they have climbed up the ladder of success, the business strategies, the heights of their career and brilliant entrepreneurial insights and the other one if about their family. What's more interesting for us? I believe, I can't consider a man successful by mere prominence and wealth but by how he was able to raise up his children and has loved his wife and parents. In order to put the whole family in order, one must admit that there is a God who structured the family first and only He can build the house we call home.

The Marriage You've Always Wanted

Late Monday afternoon, I grabbed a book from my closet and flipped its leaves. Surprisingly, that encounter wasn't just in minutes but hours. Would you believe that sometimes books shout loud inside of us, specially when the topic is related to your present situation?

I'm married to my lovely wife for more than 10 months. I must admit, the 2 years of being in a relationship and a 2-month short to a year of married life is enough to say I know everything about being a husband, much more, a partner.

In the book, The Marriage You've Always Wanted, New York Times bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman shared stories in the book that were like scenes in my self-produced movie. My degree in communications doesn't qualify me in the list of relationship veterans. I must discover and willfully admit my own faults and be honest about how I feel.

Let me share you common barriers to an open communication among couples and how to overcome it:

“They Won't Open Up”- Be honest and talk meaningfully.
“I Have Such a Temper”- Be transparent and control yourself.
“He's So Selfish”- Overcome selfishness with love.
“I Don't Want To Hurt Her”- Speak the truth with love and compliments.
“I Know That I Lack Self-Confidence”- Accept the past, face the future, embrace assurance of comfort and support from your partner.

These principles can also be used in family relations, friendship, even in school and work. Relationship doesn't just apply to married couples. It applies to all because where ever there is love, pain is inevitable. The good thing is, we can eliminate the pain and amplify love. So, the next time you have scratches with somebody you love, you already know the barriers and must do something to overcome them.

A piece of advice from the Love Veteran:
People do not “make us miserable.” We choose to be miserable.- Dr. Gary Chapman

This book is like a map to couples before they sign the contract. It is also a guide and reminder to married couples on how to make the relationship happier, stronger, and sweeter than ever. The Marriage You've Always Wanted by Gary Chapman is available at leading bookstores. For more details, ask CSM Publishing or visit their site www.csm-publishing.com.

Happy reading!