FAMILY/ Marriage

Two Books To Strengthen My Marriage 2012-Part 1 – Purposeful Living



These posts are designed to model a system of purposeful living.  At least once a month, I spend time setting meaningful goals around one of seventeen core priorities. 

If you missed it, consider reading the foundation post – Purposeful Living #1


Correct Priority
Priority #4 – Social Health – Immediate Family – Spouse (Social & Emotional Health)
Goal Setting & Reflection Date
Sunday, February 26
Goal
Invest in the social and emotional health of my wife and strengthen my marriage by reading and discussing two books with Amy in 2012.  The first book must be a mutually agreed upon marriage book.  The second book may be any book of Amy’s choice.  Specific goals include:
  • Mutually choose a marriage book.
  • Amy chooses a book of her choice.
  • Decide how often to read and discuss each book.
  • Develop a plan to ensure relevant discussion and dialogue.
Goal Status
In Progress

{1996}
Thoughts
The first couple years of our marriage Amy & I would read a marriage book together as a New Year’s Resolution.  By year three we discontinued this tradition and I’m not sure we have read a book together since.  It is easy to get lazy in marriage (especially for men).
During some reflection and goal setting focused on my wife I decided it was time to bring this tradition back.
Strong marriages don’t just happen by accident.  They need to be nurtured through commitment and sacrifice.

{2009}
Reading a marriage book together is an opportunity to prioritize our marriage.  It will allow us to focus on what is important to keep our marriage strong.
Reading a second book of Amy’s choice is an opportunity to enter Amy’s world.  It is an opportunity to learn what is important to her and show her I care about the details of her life.
Reading a marriage book with Amy won’t by itself lead to a perfect marriage.  Reading a book of Amy’s choice won’t by itself patch over all the times I failed to take interest in her day.  But they are steps in the right direction.  And lots of little steps will eventually get us where we want to go.

{2010, right before Amy’s cancer diagnosis}
In Parts 2 & 3 I will share the books we chose and some things I learned from each selection.  It might be a few weeks before this goal is completed, but I am committed to getting this done this year.

Link To Foundation Post
Purposeful Living #1

Outline Of All Purposeful Living Posts
Purposeful Living Series

Links To Additional Posts In This Series
Two Books To Strengthen My Marriage 2012-Part 2 
Two Books To Strengthen My Marriage 2012-Part 3
Two Books To Strengthen My Marriage 2012-Part 4
Two Books To Strengthen My Marriage 2012-Part 5


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  • Jenny
    March 26, 2012 at 4:00 pm

    12 years into our marriage, my husband and I recently read “The 5 Love Languages” by Gary Chapman. I wish we had done so years ago! We went from talking about divorce to feeling closer and more in love than ever, within a couple of weeks. I am recommending it to everyone. It has even helped us better understand our relationships with other people.

  • {Adventuresindinner}
    March 23, 2012 at 5:11 pm

    Thank-you so much for the suggestion. You’re so right, it is easy to get lazy in a marriage and forget that you are commited to your best friend.

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