Secrets to Successful Relationships - and how to make it work for you

  Very often we get so caught up in our daily lives we forget to “stop and smell the roses’. We take each other for granted and although we live under the same roof and share the same bed at night we become strangers sharing a common living space. Before we know what has happened we have grown so far apart that it becomes difficult to reconnect. In any relationship, it’s the small things we do on the daily basis that are important. Learn to recognize, appreciate and love your partner’s quirks for what they are and love them for who they are, and not for who you thought you could turn them into.  Make "alone time" a priority. This can be a little tricky with children in the house (big or small), but where there is a will there is always a way. Decide on a particular evening of the week or at least every fortnight which will be your “alone time”, Commit to it, and stick to it.

A small unexpected gift, a compliment, a moment of physical contact can immensely strengthen our romantic relationships. Cultivate a daily sense of gratitude for your partner and the thousands of little blessings he or she has brought into your life. Be sure to tell your partner you love them at least once a day. A kiss on the cheek a quick hug as you pass each other in the living room and holding hands whilst watching a movie, all give your partner a warm feeling and convey the love and affection you feel for them.

At opportune moments tell your partner how grateful you are to them for what they have contributed towards your life, and what you admire the most about them. Go for walks together, have dinner at the dining room table together and talk often. Tell your loved one about all your dreams, fears, achievements and mistakes. It goes a long way towards better mutual understanding.

It’s obvious what you need to do when your partner faces a major life challenge like losing a job or the death of a loved one. But it’s just as important to be supportive when your partner faces life’s smaller challenges, such as an argument at work, or a misplaced key or a flat tyre on the way to work. Just be there! A huge downfall in relationships are expectations, and at that, very often unreasonable ones. Do you know the saying “expect nothing and you shall never be disappointed”,   well, we need to apply this in all our relationships.

This does not necessarily mean spending a fortune dining out; it can be as simple as a walk in the park or along the riverfront or sitting on the beach watching the seagulls and waves breaking. It really doesn’t matter what you do as long as you do it together.

Be grateful, love freely and feel blessed.