Richard Horowitz: 10 Little Changes That Can Make a Big Impact on your Marriage

1. 10 Little Changes that Can Make a
Big Impact on Your Marriage
Richard Horowitz

2. here are 10 little changes that can make a big impact on reigniting that smoldering
spark and each one delivers a special message that won’t be forgotten.
There are challenges involved in
maintaining any relationship, but none
requires more attention than a marriage.

3. Greet Your Mate
It’s trite to say it, but one
of the simplest ways to
fan the flames of your
marriage is to say “good
bye” when you part and
“hello” when you come
together again. In reality,
how much time does it
actually take to stop what
you’re doing, offer a quick
peck and greet your mate.
The message: I miss you
when we’re apart.

4. Be Present
For those of you who are constantly engaged with your smart phone, PUT IT DOWN. Being present is how you
let your mate know that who they are, what they think and how they feel matters to you. When your mate
has something to tell you, listen with all of your attention, not just part of it. The message: I respect you.

5. Say Thank you
Proper manners, in public,
dictate the use of “please”
and “thank you” as you do
business and interact with
others. Do you use those
same manners at home? Do
you thank your mate for
the meal they prepared,
putting the dishes away or
taking out the trash? Do it,
and you’ll see a big
difference. The message: I’m
grateful for you.

6. Say I'm Sorry
Nothing is more damaging to
a relationship than to never
admit it when you are
wrong. You might not “owe”
your mate an apology, but
offering one, whenever
you’re wrong, will prove
that you’re partnered
equally. Keeping the
balance of equality will
head off a lot of future
disagreements. The message:
We’re in this together.

7. Offer Positive
Comments
This one can be as easy or as
hard as you want to make it.
The best way to apply it, is to
make a commitment to look
for one positive thing that
your mate has done or has
said each day, and then draw
their attention to it. The more
you practice this, the more
results you’ll see. The
Message: You’re valuable.

8. Swallow Critiques
On the other side of the coin,
is holding back those snide
critiques that serve no
purpose, but to tear down
your mate and, consequently,
your marriage as well. Ninety
nine percent of those
annoying things never need
to be pointed out. Catch more
flies with honey and just
swallow those critiques. You
won’t deliver that negative
message.

9. Smile Together
You and your mate had plenty
of things to smile about when
you first fell head over heels
for each other. Those things
are probably still there.
Relive those moments
together and do things to
create new ones. Or, just take
a risk, look across the room
at your mate, bare those
teeth and smile. The message:
I’m happy with you.

10. Forgive and Forget
The two go hand in hand.
If you have really
forgiven someone, then
you will forget the wrong
that they’ve done to you.
Conversely, if you
continue to dwell on and
harbor that wrong, then
you haven’t truly forgiven
them. If you want to see a
big impact on your
marriage, do both. The
message: I love you.

11. When you first fell in love with your mate, you couldn’t wait to get your paws on them. So,
put your paws together and enjoy that simple little touch as you walk down the street
together, when you’re shopping together or wherever you happen to be. There’s nothing
warmer than the hand of your mate. The message: I’m with you.
Hold Hands

12. Speak Well of Your Mate
All too often, we run our
mates down in front of
other people. Whether your
mate is present when you do
it is immaterial. We
eventually begin to believe
what we say about them to
others. Speak well of them
in the presence of others.
The message: You’re amazing.

13. A Japanese proverb says, “One kind
word can warm three winter
months.” Imagine how making these
10 little changes will impact your
marriage, and using them will
warm a thousand winter months.