Is love Enough to Sustain a Marriage?

Love is Bliss

CAN LOVE ALONE SUSTAIN A MARRIAGE?

Love is often considered the cornerstone of marriage. Fairy tales, movies, and romantic novels have long propagated the idea that love conquers all. However, in the real world, marriage is far more complex than just love. While love is a crucial element, sustaining a marriage requires more than just romantic feelings.

Many people still believe that love is the main factor we should consider when thinking about marrying someone. However, this have proven to fail many times. I often wonder – In this era where people mostly marry for love, why is divorce on the high side? It wasn't like this in the old times where arranged marriages were quite popular, and yet marriages used to last.

So if you think about this, you will realize that love alone cannot sustain a marriage. Love alone cannot sustain a marriage when faced with challenges such as financial struggles, communication breakdowns, or differing life goals. The reason is because people change. The heart is the most deceptive organ in the human body. People catch feelings based on their personality and even current condition. This is not to negate the importance of love though. Love in a marriage is very very vital.

The Reality of Marriage

Marriage is a journey filled with ups and downs. While love initiates and strengthens the bond, practical aspects determine the endurance of the relationship. Many couples realize that their love may remain, but unresolved issues can drive them apart. This is why many marriages fail despite strong initial love. There are so many factors that keeps a marriage and love is just one of them. Now let us take a deep dive into some of these factors.

Marriage is a reality

Essential Factors Beyond Love

Communication – Effective communication is key to understanding each other's needs, resolving conflicts, and strengthening the relationship. Misunderstandings and assumptions can erode love if communication is lacking. Before going into marriage, it is important to work on your communication skills. Some people are not good listeners. They listen to reply or clapback. Many times, some issues that escalates in relationships or marriages, could easily be fixed if only both parties will be willing to hear and understand each other.

Also, some people can easily misinterpret words. It is important to not be hasty or jump into conclusions easily before trying to understand what your partner is saying. Communication is another important factor that sustains a marriage or relationship.

Trust and Respect – A healthy marriage thrives on mutual trust and respect. Without these, love can turn into resentment, insecurity, or control issues. Respect your partner despite their ugly past. Do not use any thing from their past against them. Be their confidante/confidant. One of the things that crumbles marriages and relationships is lack of mutual respect. You find couples using some past information against themselves and even assuming they are still the same person they used to be. Another instance is preying on your partner's weakness. Your partner should be able to trust you completely with their deepest secrets, insecurities and fears.

Financial and Emotional Stability – Financial stress can strain a marriage, and emotional stability ensures that both partners can provide support and encouragement to each other. Money is very important in any marriage or relationship. As the popular saying goes MONEY MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND. When a couple is financially stable, there are many arguments that will not even be necessary. It eases burdens and makes running the home a smooth job. This is another factor that makes a marriage or relationship lasts. On the emotional side, anyone willing to settle down should heal from past trauma. He/she should be emotionally stable before ready to commit to the demands of marriage. Emotional stability is very important because sometimes there are big decisions, actions and steps that should be taken in a marriage and if you're not emotionally stable enough to take such bold steps, it may cause a problem in your marriage.

Commitment and Effort – A successful marriage requires conscious effort and compromise. Love is a feeling, but commitment is a choice that needs to be made every day. Marriage requires a lot of work and commitment. Both party should want it enough to make it work out. Resilience in this case is key. Make an effort to become a better person, make an effort to tolerate some weaknesses from your partner. Sometimes, bend over backwards to help them out in their lowest moments. Like the elders will always say "For a marriage to work, one person has to be the fool".

Shared Goals and Values – Couples must align their long-term aspirations, values, and priorities. Differences in fundamental beliefs can create conflicts that love alone cannot resolve. It is important to understand each others beliefs, ideologies, and priorities before settling for marriage. Even though their will be some disparities between you two, it shouldn't be too much. If both of you are highly opinionated on a very controversial issue, it may cause a lot of arguments that may even lead to divorce. You both must agree on many things for a smooth relationship.

Conflict Resolution – Every marriage encounters disagreements. The ability to resolve conflicts amicably is crucial for longevity. Do not hold grudges. If you are someone who knows how to keep a grudge, work on yourself before settling down with someone, because marriage is not all that rosy. Arguments will arise, disagreements will arise, but you must learn how to talk things out with your partner. Learn how to apologize when you're wrong and learn how to forgive your spouse.

In summary, love alone cannot sustain a marriage. Love is a vital ingredient in a marriage, but it is not the only one. For a marriage to thrive, it must be nurtured with communication, trust, mutual goals, commitment, and resilience. Love may start the journey, but it is the conscious effort and dedication of both partners that truly sustain a marriage.

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