Because we are with our spouses more than anyone else, we have a tendency to tune them out.

How many times has he/she said with an exasperating tone, “You don’t listen to me?”

Good communication is the lifeblood of every relationship!

There is no more important relationship than that between you and your spouse.

If you haven’t lately, give it the importance it deserves.

You can improve your relationship with Active Listening.

Definition: Active Listening is a technique of careful listening and observation of non-verbal cues.

So, when your spouse is speaking, you must look at him/her in order to pick up the non-verbal cues.

Looking at your spouse while he/she is speaking also renders respect because he/she has the floor!

It is also easier to hear the other person when you’re looking at him/her, thus avoiding the necessity to ask to repeat it.

Your marriage can descend to an unacceptable state if your spouse thinks you’re not interested in what he/she has to say!

If not today, when?

No one wants to relate an incident in which they regret their role in it.

So, why should you do it anyway?

A simple answer, it BUILDS TRUST!

And TRUST is an essential ingredient when attempting to build a relationship.

The other person, when hearing your self-deprecating story, has one reaction:

“If he will tell the truth even when he looks bad, I bet he tells the truth all the time.”

So, here is a person that he/she would like to get to know better, because you have CHARACTER!!

This issue of telling the truth is a really big deal in today’s society.

Many prominent politicians and newscasters are telling deliberate lies that suit their agenda.

Don’t become “Just another liar.”

Always tell the truth even when it makes you look bad.

THE TRUTH is the BASIC BUILDING BLOCK OF A LIFELONG RELATIONSHIP!

If not today, when?

It happens.

You’re both busy people trying to earn an adequate income while also raising kids.

Sometimes, the demands of daily life push the romance off to the side.

As a man, I believe it should always be conducted as a lifelong courtship.

You courted your “Fair Lady” once a long time ago.

I don’t think the courtship should ever end.

Here are a couple of simple things that you can do to keep the COURTSHIP ALIVE.

Surely, the two of you can go out to dinner at least one night a week.

Surely one of you can surprise the other with some act of kindness once in a while.

You know what he/she likes to do. Do it.

And, you must tell your partner how much they mean to you once in a while.

These are all deliberate attempts to keep the ROMANCE ALIVE!

Why not?

It was LOVE that brought the two of you together.

It will be LOVE that will keep the two of you together!

If not today, when?

I believe the key to a happy life is accomplished by attempting to emulate the life of Jesus Christ.

He taught us how to live.

It really comes back to the old saying, “It is in giving that we receive.”

Or, “Love one another as I have loved you.”

The best way to emulate His life is by helping other people who are suffering.

They are all around us, in every community.

They are in your community.

Don’t get me wrong.

I believe in working hard to create a` decent living for yourself and your family.

I just think the best way to serve the Lord is by sharing some of your abundance.

This abundance can be your money or your time.

Sharing either one is a way to “Serve the Lord!”

If not today, when?

Loving a person is all about what you can do to make their life better!

It’s really that simple.

When you say, “I love you,” the words have to be backed up by actions.

Who takes out the trash in your house?

Who makes the breakfast?

Who runs to the grocery store?

Who keeps the cars filled with gas?

Who `gets the kids off to school in the morning?

Who does the laundry?

Who vacuums the living room carpet?

Who runs to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription?

Who attends parent-teacher meetings?

Who pays the bills?

These are all tasks that must be performed by someone.

The more of these tasks that you perform, the fewer your partner has to do.

These are all ways to express your love by making their life easier.

If not today, when?

In today’s world, I think we often assume the worst.

I truly believe, however, that everyone has some worthy qualities.

If we assume that this stranger is a good person, it affects our approach and its success.

If we go the other way and act with suspicion, the other person senses our wariness and withdraws.

Now, we have put up a barrier to an otherwise potential dialogue.

Yes, you will encounter people who don’t have good intentions.

Don’t allow that to affect your approach to everyone you meet.

You can’t go successfully through life without an optimistic attitude.

Optimism is the key that opens doors to valuable, new relationships.

Also, try to discover what you and this stranger have in common.

That is always a powerful “ice breaker.”

Look for the GOOD in everyone you meet!

If not today, when?

When a loved one does or says something that embarrasses or offends you, the first impulse is to strike out at that person in anger.

Expressing disappointment is the better route.

It is not as confrontational as anger.

An inherent benefit in expressing disappointment is the introduction of a new, unexpected result of the offense.

You can now explain the impact it had on you.

Begin by saying that you are disappointed.

Go on to explain the impact it had on you and any other parties present.

Tell him/her how it made you feel.

Finally, ask him/her to please not to do it again.

Many times people don’t realize the impact their behavior has on other people.

If you want this relationship to grow, you are doing them a favor by speaking out.

If not today, when?

There are times when we may have an opportunity to compliment someone, whether it is a family member, co-worker or friend.

They may have done something nice that should be encouraged.

I think you can begin by announcing that you would like to compliment them on something they have done.

Then, explain the situation in which it occurred.

Next, in detail. explain the action taken or the thing that was said.

Explain the impact it had on you and how it made you feel.

Finally, encourage the person to do it again in similar situations.

We have entirely too few compliments in this world.

Compliments can lift up a person and become a boost to their self-esteem.

It may the only upper they experience that day or that week.

By selecting actions by others that are worthy of compliments, you are doing your part to make this a better place.

If not today, when?

It’s simple enough.

When someone renders a service to you, do you customarily thank them?

I know they are supposed to do it and don’t require “Thanks” because you are paying for the service to be rendered.

But, it’s not the point that you paid for it and that’s thanks enough.

I just think we should be the bearers of “Kindness” and “Appreciation” with everyone including those who render us a service.

Why not?

It only takes a brief, “Thank you for your service.”

You and I can make this world a better place.

We can do it throughout our day by the manner in which we treat other people, especially those who wait on us!

Make it a habit!

If not today, when?

Definition: The breaking of trust between two people.

This is a difficult topic.

I think most of us have been betrayed at one time or another.

Of course, the severity of the betrayal is important in terms of our response.

Betrayal is one of the most emotionally troubling things that can happen to us.

The degree of hurt is magnified by the closeness of the relationship and the magnitude of the betrayal.

You have a decision to make:

Will you decide to continue the relationship under certain conditions or must you terminate it completely?

If it is a marital betrayal and there are kids involved, that is more complicated.

As the one betrayed, you should be allowed to go on with your life in peace.

Its in your hands as to how to make that happen.

If not today, when?