Love, trust, and communication are essential elements in a healthy marriage. The words are easy to say and remember but how to practice the concepts run much deeper. Below these three essentials are second level concepts that a spouse must master. Love requires devotion, trust requires honesty, and communication requires a level of comfort that allows you to open up to your mate. To master the second level concepts one must practice the following simple rules, which will strengthen a marriage throughout to the essentials.

Rules for Devotion

1. Never risk what you have - temptation may come but if you have invested in a relationship already, why risk it only to begin another?
2. Reserve all that is special for the spouse - the special places the two of you go, the special movies, songs, and jokes all belong to the spouse; do not share them.
3. Always put them first - if you married them you agreed to concern yourself with them and them only, every minute of the day. Do not let them slip to third or forth on your list.
4. Never accept gifts from the other gender - regardless of how innocent it is or how bad you feel you want or need it, it is not worth the risk.

Rules for Honesty

5. Never keep secrets - reveal all to your spouse and leave no room for doubt. They are number one now and mother and or father come second. Never be secretive.
6. Do nothing behind their back - spending money, talking to or meeting with people they do not approve of, going places without telling them are all argument starters. Avoid it.

Rules for Opening Up

7. Do not use fear to manipulate - constantly threatening your mate of leaving them, abusing them, or killing them, implants questions in their minds.
8. Never assume - make sure you understand each other and know what and how your spouse feels about something. If not, there is too much room for misunderstanding.
9. Always express your feelings - this may be controversial to some but talking does not always work. Use situations or even examples to get your point across.
10. Maintain a constant aura of happiness - if you love your spouse beyond anything you will always be happy. If you dread being in the same room with them there is a problem. Strive for the happiness.

© 2004 By Cartel Q