7 GREAT QUESTIONS FOR WIVES

If you should die today (God forbid) will your husband miss you or will he thank God for the departure of “she that troubles Israel”?

- Are you a favour to your husband (Pro. 18:22) or a rottenness in his bones (Pro. 12:4)?

- If your husband has the chance of re-marrying, will he re-marry you with your present character?

- If your man is given the opportunity of awarding mark to you as his wife, what percentage will he give you?

-  Are you sunshine in your home or a dark cloud on your family?

- Do you think your sons will ever pray to marry a woman like you?

- Can you pray that what you are doing to your husband, your daughters-in-law should do it to your sons?

QUOTES ABOUT MARRIAGE ADVICE

“. . . children should draw [a husband & wife] nearer than ever, not separate you, as if they were all yours, and [your husband] had nothing to do but support them. . . . don't neglect husaband for children, don't shut him out of the nursery, but teach him how to help in it. His place is there as well as yours, and the children need him; let him feel that he has his part to do, and he will do it gladly and faithfully, and it will be better for you all. . . . That is the secret of our home happiness: he does not let business wean him from the little cares and duties that affect us all, and I try not to let domestic worries destroy my interest in his pursuits. Each do our part alone in many things, but at home we work together, always. . . . no time is so beautiful and precious to parents as the first years of the little lives given them to train. Don't let [your husband] be a stranger to the babies, for they will do more to keep him safe and happy in this world of trial and temptation than anything else, and through them you will learn to know and love one another as you should.” 

QUOTES ABOUT MARRIAGE ADVICE

“Certainly the most destructive vice if you like, that a person can have. More than pride, which is supposedly the number one of the cardinal sins - is self pity. Self pity is the worst possible emotion anyone can have. And the most destructive. It is, to slightly paraphrase what Wilde said about hatred, and I think actually hatred's a subset of self pity and not the other way around - ' It destroys everything around it, except itself '. 

Self pity will destroy relationships, it'll destroy anything that's good, it will fulfill all the prophecies it makes and leave only itself. And it's so simple to imagine that one is hard done by, and that things are unfair, and that one is underappreciated, and that if only one had had a chance at this, only one had had a chance at that, things would have gone better, you would be happier if only this, that one is unlucky. All those things. And some of them may well even be true. But, to pity oneself as a result of them is to do oneself an enormous disservice.

I think it's one of things we find unattractive about the american culture, a culture which I find mostly, extremely attractive, and I like americans and I love being in america. But, just occasionally there will be some example of the absolutely ravening self pity that they are capable of, and you see it in their talk shows. It's an appalling spectacle, and it's so self destructive. I almost once wanted to publish a self help book saying 'How To Be Happy by Stephen Fry : Guaranteed success'. And people buy this huge book and it's all blank pages, and the first page would just say - ' Stop Feeling Sorry For Yourself - And you will be happy '. Use the rest of the book to write down your interesting thoughts and drawings, and that's what the book would be, and it would be true. And it sounds like 'Oh that's so simple', because it's not simple to stop feeling sorry for yourself, it's bloody hard. Because we do feel sorry for ourselves, it's what Genesis is all about.” 

8 QUESTIONS EVERY COUPLE SHOULD ANSWER BEFORE GETTING MARRIED

The greatest lessons we learn in life come from asking the right questions. Not the simple inquiries that we can answer quickly, that don’t require much thought and only poke at the surface. The best answers come when we are challenged to think deeply, when we get really honest with ourselves and we don’t overlook our own short sightedness or our limited view of what makes life and relationships work.

And so it goes with love and the journey of two lovers through engagement and into a lifetime of mutual love. Here are 8 critical questions every couple should answer before they get married. Please — ponder these for all your worth. Success in marriage needs to ride on more than the high-spirited emotions of dating that drive two lovers together.

Take turns asking these tough questions:

• What is love? Share your definitions with one another.

Be thorough. Dig deep. Is love, for example, an emotion? A thought or belief? What makes love unique and why is it important?

Speak from your heart about the energy, motivation and determination you’ll capture in your love journey together.

• What role models, if any, have taught me about love and intimacy?

What did I learn about how to make love last?

• What kind of lover am I?

What kind of love will I bring to the marriage? Be specific. What does your love look like?

Couples that understand “love is a verb” that needs to result in actions, have a better shot at making love last for a lifetime.

• Why me? Why you?

In other words, why do you love him? And why do you love her? Do you have a clear idea of why you are choosing one another and how well you truly know your fiancé? Do you even know who each other are? Or are you still looking through a fantasy lens?

Couples who can see each other clearly and like who they are choosing, are more apt to honor their partner’s individual differences over time.

• What are your hopes and dreams — your expectations of one another in all areas of your relationship?

Includes expectations about finances, time spent with in-laws, sex, fun, religion, children, etc. Develop a clear vision together about what you want your marriage to look like.

How are these playing their way out now?

8 Questions Every Couple Should Answer Way Before They Get Married

• What are my strengths and weaknesses and how do I plan to mature in this relationship?

Both need to be able to define their individual strengths and the areas they hope to mature. Two people, who admit to a need for ongoing growth and commit to the process, have a much greater chance of growing the marriage.

What are you doing now to grow and mature individually?

• What is working right now and what do you hope to continue?

Examine your love and connection as you experience it right now. What works? What do you like about the bond you’ve created?

• What obstacles do you see right now that would get in the way of having an amazing marriage?

Most often, love and intimacy don’t get explored before marriage. Two lovers believe the energy they feel in dating will continue into the distant horizon, only to find out that the complexities of life challenge love more than they imagined.

So gather your courage and desire to experience an amazing marriage and look deep into the bond you have and the relationship you hope to grow over the years. The tough questions — your answer to the tough questions — can pave the way into an exciting romance that lasts and never fades.

21 SECRETS TO WEDDED BLISS FROM HAPPY MARRIED COUPLES

21 Secrets To Wedded Bliss From Happily Married Couples-Everyone walks down the aisle dreaming of their happily ever after, but maintaining a happy marriage is often easier said than done.

1. Don’t stress over the small stuff. 
“Happily married for 25 years here. My tips? Be buddies, don’t stress over the little stuff, be positive, cut each other some slack, spend time together even when you can’t but don’t fight about it, LAUGH, realize how many of the things we get angry about are ridiculous.”

2. Marry someone with a good heart. 
“We just celebrated our 20th anniversary … mostly the secret is don’t marry an asshole. If a person says rude and mean things to you or to their parents or to waitstaff then the person isn’t relationship material. Hold out for someone who is a decent human being and you can’t go wrong.”

3. Remember it’s you and your spouse vs. the world (not each other).
“Married life is simple: You are back to back in the water fighting off sharks for the rest of your lives and you just do what has to be done as it comes and say thanks when your partner knifes one you missed.”

4. Communication is key. 
“[Married] 20 years … talk, talk it all out, be open. Are you unhappy about something? Talk about it.”

5. Show your love in sweet yet simple ways. 
“Married for 21 years … Bring her flowers, ‘just because’. If you’re not the spontaneous type of guy (I’m not), then set it up on your phone’s calendar — some random date when you’ll bring her two dozen long stem roses. Or some other appropriate gift.”

6. Don’t fight in public. 
“19 years here. No public disagreements. If you have a bone to pick, you do it in private. Publicly, you have each other’s backs.”

7. Laughter is a magical, secret weapon. 
“15 years of happy marriage here. I have found that laughter helps your relationship so much. It helps smooth over arguments and periods of time when you don’t like each other. If you can laugh together, can enjoy the same humor, you can get through damn near anything.”

8. Outsourcing can work wonders. 
“If there’s some chore you both hate, and you can afford it, outsource. This can mean buying a dishwasher, or getting a neighbor kid to mow the lawn for a few bucks. Whatever you pay is probably worth avoiding a marriage full of arguments and resentment over who’s turn it is to deal with it.”

9. Keep having sex.
“Been together 15 years, since I was 19 … Keep having fun. If it gets boring and stagnant it can create problems. Keep the intimacy alive, don’t let romance die! Or sex!!! Otherwise you slide into housemate territory and away from a couple.”

10. Pick your battles.
“If it’s a small thing, let it goooo. Yes, it’s annoying to pick up your goddamned socks off the floor, but I’m not perfect either and the bathroom cabinets are full of junk, which annoys you. Neither of us is going to change at this point, obviously. Live with the flaws. It’s not that big of a deal.”

11. Go out of your way to make their day. 
“Once in a while, do something nice … An example, my wife loves crab legs, but the only restaurants around who serve it you’re looking at $40 just for the plate of crab legs. So if I notice crab legs on sale at the store, I’ll sneak by there, grab 3 or 4 pounds and some shrimp and we have a crab boil/shrimp grill as a surprise. It’s no big deal but it lets her know I am listening and I want to make her happy.”

12. Don’t be afraid to work hard. 
“30 years together, married for 25 of them. Work to make things better when times do get tough…see a therapist, make time for each other, find a new activity to do together…don’t assume things will just get better on their own. A successful marriage involves a certain amount of conscious effort.”

13. Listen to your spouse’s needs. 
“13 years here. No matter how well you know your spouse don’t dismiss the need to make it clear when something is really important or serious to you … Personal priorities evolve over time and both parties can benefit from keeping up with this. I mean, there are big things like sex, careers, and politics, but if I say I want a kitten then I really want a kitten.”

14. Learn to enjoy things on your own. 
“Have your own interests and let your partner have theirs. Enjoy learning and hearing about their hobbies (and talking about yours) but do not try to force the other person to enjoy/engage in the activity just because you like it.”

15. Never stop dating. 
“Don’t stop dating, take time to go out together at least once a month. Even if it’s just a lunch date whilst the kids are in school (we just had one today!). Mix it up once in a while and surprise your spouse.”

16. Learn to fight fair.
“Be respectful even when you argue. Especially when you argue. Don’t be hurtful just to make points.”

17. Always remember that you’re on the same team. 
“Going on 25 years here. The best advice I have heard is that, during a fight you can either oppose each other, or you can work together to oppose the problem that is separating you. If you always see yourself as a team, it makes a huge difference in how you fight. Establish common goals and strive to attain them together.”

18. Sometimes, spouses just need vent. Let them!
“Married almost 15 years. … If you’re a husband, don’t feel like you have to fix every problem your wife wants to talk about. Sometimes she just wants to vent or voice her concerns, and only wants you to listen and tell her you understand.”

19. Love is about giving, not taking.
“Always remember that love is not give-and-take. It’s more of a give-and-dont-expect-anything-in-return set up.”

20. Put your spouse first. 
“14 years next month. Don’t ever, ever cave into your guy friends’ pressure to do something you know will irritate your wife just prove you aren’t ‘whipped’. You live with her, not them. Her opinion should matter more, not theirs.”

21. Don’t stop saying ‘I love you’. 
“Say ‘I love you’ every day. You never know if that morning your spouse could be hit by a car, have a heart attack, or a myriad of things. They’re three small words that mean everything to your spouse. Let them know you love them.”

EMOTIONAL BENEFITS OF FRIENDSHIP

Friendship has manyphysical health benefits, but it’s also good for your mental and emotional state. Having friends can stave off loneliness, keep you mentally sharp, and help you weather the ups and downs of life. Many experts believe that friendship is just as important to your long-term health as eating right and exercising is.

In fact, it’s hard to distinguish between the mental and physical benefits, because they go hand-in-hand to keep you at your best. A healthy attitude will help you weather physical challenges, and physical fitness will allow you to have a better outlook on life. Here are five mental and emotional benefits of friends.

Surround Yourself With Happy Friends and You’ll Feel Happier Yourself

Happiness is contagious, especially when you surround yourself with positive, forward-looking friends. OneFramingham Heart Study followed people over a 20-year period and that their happiness was largely influence by the happiness of those people they were most closely connected with. So when you’re with happy friends, you’ll pick up on their attitudes and outlook, improving your overall mental health.

Build Your Self-Esteem

If you’re someone who naturally suffers from low self-esteem, a set of positive friends can help you overcome that negative way of looking at yourself. Good friends can encourage you, help you break the pattern of destructive self-talk, and allow you a safe place to be yourself.

The right group of friends can also help you if you’re someone who can’t be alone, showing you that independence is good for the spirit. If you can be comfortable in your own skin, you’ll gain emotional stability for the ups and downs of life.

Banish Loneliness

While having friends doesn’t guarantee that you won’t feel lonely at times, it does give you one way to combat loneliness. Moving through loneliness is very difficult without a support network, and those with strong emotional bonds can conquer loneliness quicker than those without them.

Look at your friends as one tool in your “banish loneliness toolkit.” In order to make them work for you, you have to use them correctly. Choose your inner circle carefully, and learn to dole out trust little by little until your closest friends are those who have your best interests at heart.

Friends Give Us a Place to Talk Through Our Issues

Just talking things through with someone can help us feel better about the challenges in our life. Good friends can help you get things off your mind by listening in a non-judgmental way. You may be more inclined to share some of your struggles with your friends over others in your life. Any time you have an outlet where you know you can let off stream or even mentally work through a difficult situation, you’ll feel better.

Friends Give You Confidence to Face the Biggest, Most Frightening Life Challenges

Getting through a major health scare or dealing with a turbulent home life is a challenge for anyone, but those with friends have the confidence to deal with things one day at a time. They know that having friends in their corner means they don’t have to do everything alone. That can ease their mind enough to take on the most difficult and scary situations, getting them through the hurdles life can send our way.

Friends are much more than just people we hang out with; they provide emotional stability to our lives and help us grow mentally, becoming stronger and more capable adults.

THINGS YOU MUST DO TO HAVE A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP

When Love Goes Bad...Here's What to Do...

If you're not getting the love you want...

Most people in your situation start asking themselves the question (either consciously or unconsciously)...

Should I stay with this person (even if I love them) or should I move on?

And if you want to stay and rebuild the love, here's something you should know...

It's the most important aspect of any relationship.

AND...

It's also the first thing you want to fix if you don't have the love, passion or connection that you want from your partner.

What we're talking about is TRUST.

And no, we're not just talking about lack of trust as in the screaming, crying, thinking your love is over due to him or her cheating on you kind of trust issues.

We're talking about a whole other layer of trust issues that are present in almost every relationship or marriage...

But most people don't see them or realize they are there until it's too late.

Fighting, Arguing, Yelling, Screaming (Here's When It's a Good Thing)

We know this is true for us--check it out and see if it's true for you as well.

We bet it is...

Here's what happens...

One or both of you get triggered about something that the other says or does...

You defend and argue your point...

Then you either withdraw and clam up or keep trying to prove you're right by getting louder and more insistent.

...and the really crazy thing that happens when you're in the middle of a fight or argument is that little voice in your head that's throwing its own king sized temper-tantrum.

In the middle of these kinds of fights and arguments, very often you find yourself thinking things about your spouse or partner like...

"You don't love me..."

"I hate you..."

"I'll show you. I'm going to have an affair..."

"I should have never married you in the first place..."

"My mother was right about you and it took me 27 years
to finally see it..."

You might even say out loud some of these things that you don't really mean (just to get your point across) and that you later regret.

Your "fight" doesn't get resolved but eventually the two of you may ease your anger enough to "get along"--until the next time.

Sounds frustrating and pretty dismal, doesn't it?

We found out that it doesn't have to be that way.

You can use these arguments and fights to find out what you really want (it's usually not what you think you're fighting about)...

And get a resolution to the real issue that's underneath the obvious cause of the disconnection.

When your partner clams up and pulls away...

Imagine this...

You've just come home after a busy work day and you just want to relax but you can't...

Without looking at you or even a "hello," your partner immediately starts telling you what has to be done that evening.

And when you don't answer because you're a bit overwhelmed by all of it, your partner starts complaining that you never do anything around the house to help and wants to talk about what's wrong with your relationship.

You try to listen and respond but the "right" words just don't come and it ends up in a horrific fight and you don't know how it happened.

Not a lot of fun, is it?

Pretty much an automatic shut-down, isn't it?

We know this scenario isn't true for every couple but it is true for more than you can imagine...

...because opposites do attract and this very moment in time (or something very close to it) really is familiar for many
men and women.

We don't like to generalize but in our research, many women want their man to open up and are frustrated because he won't talk.

And many men are equally as frustrated because they feel pushed into talking and sharing--and have learned to automatically withdraw and shut down when she even looks like she wants to talk.

Now of course both women and men do this unconsciously and most are just automatically doing what they were shown and learned to do to get their needs met early in their lives.

But it really doesn't have to be that way.

In fact, it's just the opposite.

Everything can change in a second...

Two Saturday’s ago, we had an “open house” at our new home and invited some friends in and it was a great time that several said we should repeat again soon.

And then…

Something tragic happened…

The next day, a dear friend of ours (he was at our party the night before) was hiking in a state park with his partner and stumbled and fell off a cliff to his death.

Because it happened so quickly, his partner could do nothing to save him.

We’re not telling you this story to share our sadness or our grief or because of how painful and tragic it was.

We’re sharing this story with you because there’s a BIG lesson about love here that we hope you get.

If you get this, you, your relationships and your ability to love and be loved will be changed forever.

We, like everyone else who loved this man, were shocked at the suddenness of his passing and were left with the reminder of just how precious life and those we love are to us.

Since then, we’ve been especially aware of how we treat each other as well as other people in our lives.

We’re just a little more mindful of those who need encouragement or a little extra love—and then opening to giving it.

We’re being a little kinder to each other, not knowing how much time we have to enjoy being with each other.

WHAT IT TAKES TO HAVE A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP

Relationships. Ah, yes. They are drenched in both the good, the bad, the ugly, and everywhere in between. Anyone can attest to that. Many can also agree that relationships are undeniably complex, require the utmost dedication and can either make, or literally break, the individuals involved. Especially if an air of likeness is not present for both to share, a falling through is most likely bound to happen. How is it you can stop this? Well, not being able to control a relationship entirely -no matter how wishful or ideal we may think- there is really only a way to prolong and keep a relationship active, to keep it healthy. But, know that the way to maintain a relationship and label it as "healthy" is truly no easy task. And this is only natural to expect as things worth loving and fighting for are never obtained and cared for without some sort of struggle, whether such relationship strife be intermittent or perpetual.

What Does It Take?

It takes a mutual understanding of each others' inner workings, thoughts and desires to keep a relationship going, to maintain that gained interconnected ebb and flow. Yet, it also takes action and a bit of work to satisfy these inner wants within each other. For acknowledging how your partner works, thinks and craves is hardly enough; it is recognizing what makes them happy and then going out of your way to do and provide items, gestures, emotions and expressions that keep them that way, even elevated further.

The Relationship Tie & Why We All Wear It

Around all of our necks is the relationship tie. We wear it, whether proud, disgusted or just flat out indifferent. But, regardless, we wear it. I stress the significance in the word "wear" here.

"Why do we wear it," you ask? Because we choose to, and need to. Think of it from the view of cohabitation, from the human perspective of social requirement and want for communication, particularly with a mate. Now, consider not wearing that relationship tie. Without it who are we - ourselves, alone, incomplete? Yes, yes and yes - somewhat. Now, this is not to say that without a relationship or that significant other that individuals less than themselves, are completely alone or only half in existence. Yet, it is implying that we are without someone else to love and confide in through a relationship perspective.

Filling In Gaps, Building Relationship Bridges

Relationships are vital to harnessing stable and fulfilling human existences. Relationships are popular, no doubt, but, not by demand - they are popular simply by necessity. We either have relationships now, had them in the past or currently want them because we're missing that connection with another. And in either span of time in which we're in the middle of a relationship it is because we need to have them. If not for support, reassurance and learning potential among a slew of other beneficial reasons, relationships are also just helpful in every aspect. Most notably, they assist us individuals to not only discover who we are but also who we are drawn and pulled toward.

How much sex should you be having?

How much sex are you getting?

Do  you take a roll in the hay every night, once or twice a week, monthly or at no particular time? For the good of your own relationship, how much sex should you be having? Many couples do find infrequent sex to be an issue. While some are fine with the occasional 5-minutes romp under the sheets, others wish they were getting a whole lot more.

There are women who worry that their men demand too much sex and secretly wish they’d slow down. But a lot more men complain that it is their women that are not giving it up as often as they (men) desire.

More than next door

On the whole, the average couple is happy if it thinks it’s getting more sex than the couple next door regardless of how much it’s actually getting.

Having more sex than your neighbours can actually make you happy, and research shows that couples who have sex at least two to three times a month are more likely to report a higher level of happiness than those who who’ve had no sex during the previous 12 months.

The more sex people have, the happier they tend to be, even when factors like income, marital status, health and age are taken into account.

What is more surprising is that even people who have reasonable amounts of sex report lower levels of happiness if they think there is a chance they could be having less sex than their peers.
Conversely, people who think they are getting more sex than their peers report higher levels of happiness, even if — in the great scheme of things— they aren’t having that much sex.

How much is normal?

This sounds like a simple question, but there are no right answers. What happens when a couple has what is called mismatched libidos? If she likes to have sex four times a week and he only once or twice, of course they want to find out who is the abnormal one.

Essentially the amount of sex you have will depend on you and your relationship, and that the ideal frequency is tricky to pin down.People tend to have more sex in the early stages of a relationship and less lately on.But the average does suggest that a natural sexual frequency is something like once or twice a week in a committed, long term relationship.

Many couples will be happy with less, and others will be at it every night, but if you’re up with the average at least you can stop stressing about what’s happening next door and start enjoying what’s happening in your own bedroom.

At least once a week

Every relationship is different, and the amount of sex you need is the amount that makes both partners happy. While there may be no one right answer to the question of how often couples should have sex, they should to try to do it at least once a week.

Pencilling in sex at least once a week means sex becomes a habit, something you fit in however busy or stressed you are. Once a week means you’ll get all the health and wellbeing benefits, too. So the more you have the better.

Sexless marriages
Generally speaking, a sexless marriage is one in which a committed couple has sex less than 10 times per year. About 1 in five couples fall into this category.

This may or may not be an issue, depending on the couple. Some couples, especially older pairs who’ve been together a long time, are perfectly fine with once or twice a year or even not at all, thank you very much.

Not having sex doesn’t mean these couples aren’t deeply in love, monogamously committed and happy together. It just means that sex isn’t as high a priority for them as it is for some of their friends, neighbours or people they see on TV and in the movies.

Spice up your flagging sex life If you and your partner have gone several weeks or even months without sex and the lack of activity is troubling you, usually a little bit of effort is enough to revive your flagging sex life, especially if the emotional connection between you and your partner remains strong.

Try one or more of the following tips

Schedule it:  Sounds horribly unromantic, but really it’s quite the opposite. Plan a relaxing shower and mutual massage as part of foreplay. After all, who doesn’t look forward to a massage? Couples who search together for the right scent of massage oil are off to a great start.

Mix it up: Perhaps you’ve always had that special secret fantasy, but you’ve never mentioned it or acted on it. Now is the time to talk about it with your partner. Who knows, maybe he or she is willing to try it. And be sure to ask about his or her secret fantasy. It might be a turn-on for you, too. Just make sure that if you both say yes, you really mean to say yes. No regrets, please.

Go away. If you’ve always done it in the bedroom, try another room, the kitchen, or a hotel, or a cabin in the woods. It’s amazing what a little change of venue can do for a stale sex life.
Be romantic

Give your partner a gift “just because.” Write a list of things you love about your partner and give it to him or her. Plan a surprise date that involves an activity you know your partner enjoys (even if it’s not your favorite thing to do).

WEDDING SUPERSTITIONS-ARE THEY REAL?

Ever wondered why a bride wears a veil or how receiving knives as a wedding gift connotes bad luck for the newly weds? These wedding superstitions have been unconsciously guiding the minds of brides and grooms for many years, but are they really worth the fuss?

Below are the common and surprising wedding superstitions and the reasons behind them:

The bride must wear a veil 

This custom originated in Rome, when a bride would wear a veil down the aisle to disguise herself from evil spirits who were jealous of her happiness.

You both must not see each other before the wedding

This superstition dates back to the time of arranged marriages, when people believed that if the couple saw each other before the ceremony, it would give them a chance to change their minds about the wedding. Today, however, many couples choose to meet up and even have portrait sessions before saying their “I dos.”

When it rains on your wedding day 

In some cultures, rain on your wedding day symbolizes fertility and cleansing.

If you receive knives as wedding gifts  

According to folklore, a knife signifies a broken relationship and is bad luck to give as a wedding gift. If knives are on your registry, just give the gift giver a penny. That way it’s a purchase, not a gift.

Your bride must be carried over the threshold 

This superstition began in Medieval Europe where many believed that a bride was extra vulnerable to evil spirits through the soles of her feet. To avoid bringing in any evil spirits, the groom carried the bride into their new home.

When a spider rests on your wedding dress 

Finding an eight-legged creature on your gorgeous gown might seem like a wedding-day nightmare, but English lore claims that finding a spider in your wedding dress is a good omen.

You should not use your married name before the wedding 

Some think it is tempting fate for the bride to write out her married name or monogram before she’s actually married, and that the wedding will not take place if she does so.

Don’t cross the path of a nun or monk

A bride who sees a nun or a monk on the way to her wedding is said to be cursed with a barren life dependent on charity.

Throwing the bouquet

It is believed that anyone that catches the bouquet when the newly married woman throws it is next in line for getting married. It doesn’t matter if the person is ready or not.

Crying on your wedding day 

It is supposed to be good luck for the bride to cry on her wedding day because it symbolizes that she has shed all her tears and will not have any to shed during her marriage. So go ahead and get teary-eyed. Just be sure to wear some waterproof mascara.

LONELY AND SCARED OF GETTING INTO A RELATIONSHIP?

“Lonely and scared,” uttered the lips of an innocent child.
A child untouched by tribulations of life
inexperienced with lost, hurt and strife,
but familiar with the feelings
adults endure more rife

No burden has he bared

No grief as compared
to divorce, cheat and death
but to a certain depth
has felt lonely and scared.
even though I was always there

The need for company, comradery,
love and loyalty
is a natural part of human life.
intimacy versus isolation, the personality stage that many of us are on.
You must loose your ego in order to find love in another person.
You must not fear to abandon yourself-your ego, when building an intimate relationship with another person.
The bible quotes “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for MY sake will find it.” Matthew 10:39
Jesus is talking when stating “My sake” and Jesus is Love.
Therefore, my interpretation of this verse is: If we find our own life, in other words, live for our egos, we loose the essence of living and we won’t master the personality stage that Erickson describes as “intimacy verses isolation”.

However, if we loose our life for God’s sake, in other words, abandon our egos for the sake of love, then we will find LIFE. God is LIFE, God is Love.
Conquering Erickson’s developmental stage of “intimacy verses isolation” is about finding love and thus finding meaning in life.

Be blessed, spread love,