The destabilization of our current economy is the result of selfishness and greed. A huge number of people participated in what turned out to be a drunken party. Now that it is over, it is time to clean up and start again. I feel deeply for all who will suffer and offer this relationship advice to aid your family during these times.
Your family is a blessing. Appreciate all of the wonderful qualities of your spouse and your children. Don’t take them for granted anymore. It is so easy to recognize the flaws in others, especially those who we are closest to. That is one of the great traps of life.
Your mind, your own mind, can be very troublesome as it is filled with all sorts of thoughts and feelings that never seem to get sorted out. Far too many people merely run from the chaos of their mind (through alcohol or medication) without realizing they have the innate ability to control it. The mind can torture you or it can be your best friend, but only after you have conquered it and placed it under your own control.
Control your mind by not blaming, not criticizing and not taking things so seriously. Proactively love your spouse with loving actions and loving thoughts. Yes you can! It is your mind! As soon as you see a thought or feeling that is anything but positive, crowd it out with thoughts and feelings that are more desirable. Don’t you realize how much power you have? When you control your mind you control everything.
When I asked my father how he was able to survive concentration camp he said to me, “I never gave up.” I am blessed with the ability to compare my own economic trials with my father’s loss of his family, his country and his entire life up to that point. Keep things in perspective. Realize how much you have and how much better your life will be by appreciating your spouse and giving them nothing but love. The current situation will pass, but the love you give will fill you forever.
Paul Friedman, author of Lessons For A Happy Marriage, entered into the business of helping couples mend their marriages after a very rough personal experience with divorce. Paul came out of an early retirement to become a mediator. His belief was that couples could easily work out the details of separation and get on with their lives. He discovered the truth from his clients: they only sought divorce because the help they found to stay together didn't work. Read more on his relationship advice blog, at Lessons For A Happy Marriage.com