MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY (SCL 9)

CHARACTERISTICS OF A
FULFILLING AND LASTING
MARITAL RELATIONSHIP

E. M. JAMILLA
UST INSTITUTE OF RELIGION

CHARACTERISTICS OF FULFILLING AND

LASTING MARITAL RELATIONSHIP

Happy
Happy
Happy
Happy
Happy
Happy
Happy
Happy

couples
couples
couples
couples
couples
couples
couples
couples

feel at home with each other from the start.

dont hold grudge.
share routines and dreams.
look for the best.
learn to change.
understand the importance of sex.
do not struggle for the upper hand.
describe their mate as their best friend.

Happy couples feel at home with each other

from the start.
The partner feels a sweeping
sense of connection, of shared
values. Sometimes their
sense of fit is sexual;
sometimes its emotional;
frequently both. This rapport
includes a delicate balance of
friendship which is based on
sameness, and passion which
is based on difference. The
tension creates and sustains a
vital marriage.

Happy couples dont hold grudge.

Couples like them have a

capacity for resolution. They try
to resolve their arguments in
various ways. Some set a
policy of never going to bed
angry; other couples instead go
to bed angry in order to sleep it
off. The important policy is that
the couple should find a way to
resolve their conflict and hold
no grudge against each other.

Happy couples share routines and dreams.

Routines do not only
produce happiness, but
they also instill
confidence and trust in
the natural and practical
existence of the marriage.
From this day to day
comfort, happy couples
can move to the deeper
realm of shared dreams
and work together for the
realization of their
dreams.

Happy couples look for the best.

Couples thrive
when spouses
focus on what is
good and true in
the other.
Marriage will be
strong in the face
of temperament if
the partner will not
focus on his or her
dark thoughts.
Married couples should learn to see the best, develop the best,
and expect the best in their spouses.

Happy couples learn to change.

Many couples experience a
great deal of change
through the course of their
marriage. It may not be a
good idea to go into
marriage hoping that the
partner will change, but the
fact is that the people do
change; for they cannot
help but change.

A good marriage
helps people change
for the better.

Happy couples understand the importance

of sex.
A good marriage rests
upon friendship,
respect, commitment
qualities that endure
when passion wanes.
Sex is not everything,
but it may be something
that gives zest and
vibrance to the
relationship.

Happy couples do not struggle for the

upper hand.
There is an equal
standing in a happy
marriage. Competition is
not the name of the game
but collaborative effort in
order to make the
relationship work.
Couples experience no
power struggle even in
financial matters. Couples
in marriage complete
each other rather than
compete with each other.

Happy couples describe their mate as their

best friend.
Happines is being
married to your best
friend. It means that
couple spends large
amount of time together,
talking, working, and
laughing. Whatever they
want to do with their lives,
they want to do it together;
they simply enjoy each
other above all others.