Boaty's Post #10: Communication, communication, communication

That is what I want to post on this week. Communication is weaning in families and marriages. We have become so easily offended and self-entitled that we usually never try to fix our misunderstandings. If I get frustrated at my husband my first thought is, "Excuse me?!" ( in an angry sassy tone)

But something I have learned this week is that we all miscommunicate to each other! Therefore the logical conclusion would be to just be tolerant and patient with one another. Instead of hastening to negative conclusions maybe we should take a step back, breath, and think, "What can I ask to check my understanding and seek clarity in humility."

To strengthen our families and marriages it is vital that we seek to communicate lovingly and effectively with one another.

Try it! I challenge you to seek for understanding this week rather that letting something go that you do not understand.

Boaty's Post #9

These are some of the highlights from what I learned this week:

1. Each spouse brings unique qualities and quirks into their
marriage.
 Because of this there will be natural conflict, but that does not
need to hault a couple in their personal and marital growth.

2. Couples can only effectively overcome their conflicts when
they learn to respect each others point of views and seek to
sincerely understand it.

3. Stress can be good in a marriage. The challenge can promote
growth and learning if the couple allows it to.

4. Successful couples constantly are working on meeting their
spouse's need for compassion and understanding.

5. Managing problems requires participation on both sides.
One spouse cannot succeed in carrying all the weight in the
relationship.

6. Taking time to understand each other and compromise takes
longer than a heated arguement, but it is more valuable and
productive in the relationship.

7. Couples' conflicts do not need to involve the four horsemen.
They can have a slightly heated argument and still avoid criticism,
 contempt, stonewalling, and defensiveness.

8. Arguments usually end in the spirit they were started in.

9. Exercising self control in expressing anger greatly benefits a
couples spiritual, intimate, and everyday lives.

10. Anger is an expression of behavioral and moral immaturity and
weakness in everyday activities, including relationships.

11. To have a Christ centered life and relationship, couples need to
consecrate all they have, including their relationship, to Heavenly
Father and His church.