We all know that marriage is a sacred commitment of love and respect between two people. Two very unique people, that with triumphs and challenges in staying together as a happy couple, or in raising a child, could either strengthen or severe the tie.
When the latter happens, pain, bitterness, guilt and regret set in, taking over the nurturing reasons why two people decided to engage in a loving relationship and build a family in the first place.
In the bestselling book,The Love Dayre by Stephen and Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough the Love Dare, couples are reminded that marriage is a priceless gift that shows us our need to grow and deal with our issues and self-centredness through the help of a lifelong partner who have come to know us in all angles.
Most importantly, this book guides couples through a journey that is about learning and daring to live a life with loving relationships.
Couples who have read this have happily surrendered to their marriage after following the 40-day Love Dares, assigned in this book. At the end they chose to lead their heart toward keeping a lasting and fulfilling relationship with the ones they love.
If you feel drawn towards the essence that the Love Dare aims to achieve for you, then you could start with the first seven dares listed here.
Read on the first 7 dares to your love journey.
Day 1: Resolve to demonstrate patience and to say nothing negative to your spouse at all. If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything. It is better to hold your tongue than to say something you’ll regret.
Day 2: Do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness.
Day 3: It’s hard to care for something you are not investing in. Along with restraining from negative comments, buy your spouse something that says, “I was thinking of you today”.
Day 4: Contact your spouse sometime during the business of the day. Have no agenda other than asking how he or she is doing and if there is anything you could do for them.
Day 5: Ask your spouse to tell you three things that cause him or her to be uncomfortable or irritated with you. You must do so without attacking them or justifying your behaviour. This is from their perspective only.
Day 6: Choose today to react to tough circumstances in your marriage in loving ways instead of with irritation. Begin by making a list of areas where you need to add margin to your schedule. Then list any wrong motivations that you need to release from your life.
Day 7: Get two sheets if paper. On the first one, spend a few minutes writing out positive things about your spouse. Then do the same with negative things on the second sheet. Place both sheets in a secret place for another day.
There is a different purpose and plan for each. At some point during the remainder of the day, pick a positive attribute from the first list and thank your spouse for having this characteristic.
“The world says to follow your heart, but if you are not leading it, then someone or something else is, and it will pursue that which feels right at the moment.” – The Love Dare
Don’t give up if you believe in your heart that the love is worth your life.
As the books states, “learning to truly love is one of the most important things you will ever do.”
Follow this love journey daily this week and we will be happy to feed you with the succeeding dares in the weeks to come.
READ: Emotionally intelligent couples have stronger marriages
If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!