makintosh [i]We have to make a decision to be happy on the inside now, to magnetize a life of happiness on the outside[/i] - The Secret

makintosh [i]To restore harmony into a relationship, focus on what you appreciate about the other person, and not your complaints. When you focus on the wonderful things and you appreciate those, you will be astounded at how many more things to appreciate suddenly appear in the other person.[/i]

yorkshire_rose I love the advice you have given Mackezie...it's food for thought ! and i would also say "RESPECT" one and other as respect is a two way thing.

makintosh [i] Inside and outside the relationship, act in ways so that your partner always maintains respect for you. Mutual respect is essential to a good relationship[/i]

makintosh [i]View yourselves as a team, which means you are two unique individuals bringing different perspectives and strengths. That is the value of a team—your differences[/i]

makintosh [i]Know how to manage differences; it's the key to success in a relationship. Disagreements don't sink relationships. Name-calling does. Learn how to handle the negative feelings that are the unavoidable byproduct of the differences between two people. Stonewalling or avoiding conflicts is NOT managing them[/i]

makintosh [i]If you don't understand or like something your partner is doing, ask about it and why he or she is doing it. [b]Talk and explore, don't assume[/b][/i]

makintosh [i][b]Listen, truly listen[/b], to your partner's concerns and complaints without judgment. Much of the time, just having someone listen is all we need for solving problems. Plus it opens the door to confiding. And empathy is crucial. Look at things from your partner's perspective as well as your own[/i]

makintosh [i] A marriage is an agreement to spend a future together. Check out your dreams with each other regularly to make sure you're both on the same path. [b]Update your dreams regularly[/b][/i]

makintosh [i]Maintain self-respect and self-esteem. [b][u]It's easier for someone to like you and to be around you when you like yourself[/b][/u][/i]

makintosh [i]The more passions in life that you have and share, the richer your relationship will be. It is unrealistic to expect one person to meet all of your needs in life[/i]

makintosh [i]Recognize that all relationships have their ups and downs and do not ride at a continuous high all the time. Working together through the hard times will make the relationship stronger[/i]

makintosh [i][b]Make good sense of a bad relationship by examining it as a reflection of your beliefs about yourself[/b]. Don't just run away from a bad relationship; you'll only repeat it with the next partner. Use it as a mirror to look at yourself, to understand what in you is creating this relationship. Change yourself before you change your relationship[/i]