| We all deal with some form of relationships every day | | | | If you still love your partner but have just let life get in |
| and all of them can present challenges. When a | | | | the way of the relationship but want to restore it there |
| relationship starts to falter many of us simply don't | | | | are some simple steps you can take to accomplish |
| have the energy much less the knowledge of what to | | | | your goal. |
| do to save it. If the relationship in trouble is a marriage | | | | 1. Make time for each other. This may be difficult for |
| the likelihood of saving it may seem even more | | | | both of you at first. But it is essential if you are to |
| remote. The two great enemies to any relationship, | | | | restore your relationship. Schedule a time when both |
| and especially marriage, are time and conversation. At | | | | of you can focus on each other and the relationship. If |
| the beginning of a romantic relationship the great desire | | | | you have children hire a babysitter or swap out |
| is to spend time together in endless conversation. If | | | | babysitting with a friend. If finances are tight, and many |
| you at this stage you never tire of each other and | | | | are right now, plan to go to a park for a picnic or just |
| what each other has to say is scintillating. You | | | | take a walk so that you will have the opportunity to |
| anticipate seeing each other after even the briefest | | | | talk in private. |
| time apart as a young child does Christmas morning. | | | | 2. Talk to each other. Use the time away from the |
| Then somewhere along the way things really change. | | | | distractions of your everyday life to really talk and |
| We no longer linger over a cup of coffee just to chat; | | | | listen to what each other is saying. Try to see the |
| we bustle about taking care of the things we think are | | | | relationship from the other's point of view. Be honest in |
| more important-cleaning the house, mowing the grass, | | | | your conversation without being snide or brutal. There |
| keeping up with acquaintances on face book, etc...Yes, | | | | is nothing to be gained in playing the blame game. |
| these things are important, but the most important thing | | | | Remember what attracted you to your partner to |
| is to be sure we are letting our loved one know he | | | | begin with and tell him/her about this. Talk about what |
| she is important. When we start taking each other for | | | | you like about the relationship and why you want it to |
| granted we are heading for problems in the | | | | continue. Accept responsibility for your role in the |
| relationship. | | | | deterioration of the relationship-no finger pointing-and |
| We often expend so much physical and emotional | | | | ask for any forgiveness that may be needed. Trust |
| energy dealing with other people's-children, co-workers, | | | | me, I know how hard this may be. Sometimes I almost |
| parents, friends- needs that our partner is left | | | | choke on having to say "I'm sorry" or "I'm wrong." |
| wondering where he/she fits into our lives. We love | | | | 3. Hopefully, by the time you have had some dedicated |
| them and just assume that they know that. All of us, | | | | time together you will have recaptured some of the |
| no matter how sure of ourselves we may appear, | | | | magic of your relationship and decide that you do |
| deal with some level of insecurity. If our partner feels | | | | want to stay together. If so then be sure to commit to |
| that he/she is at the bottom of the heap as far as we | | | | each other that you will put the other first on your list |
| are concerned then feelings of resentment and anger | | | | of priorities and not slip back into the habit of taking |
| begin to fester and before long these feelings replace | | | | each other for granted. |
| those of love. Since we all deal with some insecurity | | | | Commit to each other that you will not let the enemies |
| these feelings that we aren't important to our partner | | | | of time and communication ruin your relationship. |
| often lead to the desire to leave and find someone | | | | Saving a relationship that you both want will be worth |
| who will make us feel important again. | | | | the investment you make in it. |