Making 2012 Your Best Year Yet!

We know this sounds funny BUT couples really do ask us“How can we make our marriage better?” Well, there is NO BETTER time than the turning of the calendar year to make improvements to your marriage that will last a lifetime! Here are our five “top tips” to make 2012 your best year YET!

It’s human nature to focus on the negative. It’s human nature to see the faults in our loved ones. In order to make 2012 outstanding, you’re going to have to fight human nature! So, take a few minutes and think back on all of the wonderful blessings you experienced in 2011. Ponder them all from that perfect cup of coffee on that crisp Autumn morning, to the time your child made you smile, to the “wonder” that is the love you share with your spouse. STOP for just a moment and let the blessings of 2011 wash over your heart, mind and soul.

One of Jay’s golfing buddies is a financial adviser who signs every email with this quote: “People don’t plan to fail; they fail to plan.” Sooooo, what’s your plan for your marriage? Do you have a regular “date night” on the calendar? Have you planned that weekend getaway for just you two? When we commit an event to the calendar, we find it much easier to maintain a commitment to that event. Whether it’s fitness, study, or even time with your spouse, we are most likely to keep a commitment we’ve written down!

One of Jay’s dad’s favorite sayings is “You will become the books you read and the people you hang around.” It’s true, we’ve counseled countless couples who get their “sound marriage advice” from their divorced friends at the bar! Seriously? Find other couples who care about their marriage and start hanging out with them. Inform friends who complain about their spouse that unless they change their tune you’ll be finding different friends. DO NOT underestimate how much those who are closest to you will either build or tear down your marriage!

We make no bones about the fact that we are “Christ Followers”. We are far from perfect and have never claimed to have a perfect marriage. However, one thing we do is to seek God’s best in our lives. Our rationale is quite simple, if there is a God (and we believe there is) then HE has the best plan in store for our lives together. Our only role is to listen to Him daily in our marriages, He’s waiting to help you make this your best year yet!

What about number 5?

So there you have it – our FIVE top tips to making 2012 your best year yet… but wait, you say… I only see FOUR??? Well, just read the acrostic to find number FIVE… you’ll see it, PRAY! Couples who learn to pray together (that’s right we said learn because nobody just “knows” how to do it) learns the secret ingredient to a long happy marriage. Don’t know how to pray? Shoot us an email and we’ll help get you started!