The 5 Cs Of A Happy Marriage

Wedding is for a moment.

Marriage is for a lifetime.

As we are approaching Valentine's day, where love is in the air everywhere, take note that we are not just blinded by love. These are some ingredients that I believe we need to have if we want a romantic, happy, lasting marriage.

Communication

So what makes a happy marriage?

The Journal of Marriage and Family reports that communication between couples predicts marital satisfaction. The more couples talk to each other, the happier they are.

Communication can help prevent tiny differences from spiraling into arguments. 

When couples are open and honest about how they are feeling, they can come together and problem-solve calmly and respectfully.

But communication is about more than just resolving issues – it’s about sharing stories, dreams, and goals.

When we communicate, we:

• Discover your partner’s needs
• Express your desires
• Increase emotional intimacy
• Promote honesty
• Make your partner feel special
• Break negative patterns

The more a couple talks and gets to know each other, the deeper their relationship becomes. Thus communicating openly is one of the most essential characteristics for a strong marriage.

Commitment

In my previous article, I shared that love is a commitment.

We have to be committed to our spouse, yes. But more than commitment to our spouse, we have to be committed to the marriage.

If we think about the health and future of the marriage instead of just our own, we are likely to take more constructive actions and behave differently. It is not just about getting our needs met. It is about replenishing the fire so our marriage can last. That is what a healthy marriage is all about.

A spouse who is not committed will leave you feeling insecure. When you are with someone you know you cannot trust, jealousy, suspicion, and heartbreak will become a regular part of your world.

On the other hand, being with someone who is committed will leave you feeling loved and content in your marriage.

Being in a committed marriage will set up a strong foundation for your future.

Commitment takes a lot of the drama out of a marriage. When you and your spouse are blissfully committed, you will not have to worry about where they are or who they are hanging out with.

Connection

Sharing a strong emotional connection with our spouse is one of the key characteristics of a happy marriage.

Everyone wants to feel loved by their spouse, and forging an emotional connection and bond is one of the most fundamental building blocks of a lasting relationship you will ever have. When you are emotionally connected as a couple, you build a foundation of strength, trust, and respect. You share a connection that goes deep. You share feelings of love, romance, and admiration.

When you are emotionally connected with your spouse, you are able to:

• Be vulnerable without fear of being judged
• Feel comfortable in the silence together
• Trust each other without hesitation
• Feel secure in your relationship
• Have open and honest communication

You build emotional connection with your spouse when you spend quality time together. And you know that your spouse will always be there for you no matter what the circumstances.

Can-Do Attitude

The can-do attitude is one that is courageous, confident, and positive.

Positive thoughts, positive thinking, or simply focusing on the positive is so important at this moment.

Bad news. Sometimes it feels like it’s everywhere, especially when you turn on the TV or jump online. Bad news is hard to avoid when it starts ‘trending’ on social, and when the media outlets and and internet trolls get hold of it.

There are more news of celebrity couples who ended breaking up and divorce, like the recent Wang Leehom's saga.

Thus, the power of positivity and can-do attitude in a relationship should not be undermined as we face crisis together.

During challenging times, words that are positive can get us through the day.

The truth is, there are challenging times and times of uncertainty in our life and our marriage. While we face these times of uncertainty, we can still start every new morning with just one thought; a thought of being positive and staying positive.

We can be grateful for a new day. If we start a new day and negative thoughts come to us, we have the power to refocus. And together, we can do all things.

Cash

Cash is king.

A financially stable relationship can help us meet big goals such as buying a home and retiring early while avoiding relationship-ending fights. In fact, 59% of divorcees said that money played "somewhat" of a role in their divorces.

When it comes to marriage, financial play a big part in our choice of spouse.

In that aspect, I can confidently say that not many have the acumen and strategies I have. I am not saying that my spouse is a gold digger. What I mean is that I demonstrated the financial ability to take care of my spouse and our future family, and that is one of the many reasons she chose me.

I implemented a financial strategy for my spouse and myself.

These were my objectives:

• Help us to retire with a 5-figure passive income
• Achieve a 15-20% annual return consistently
• Have a mix of long-term growth with short-term gains to fund our lifestyle, without compromising on future profits

It may only be a few years since my plan was executed. But so far, it seems that we are on track to fulfill those objectives.

It is a little early to make this bold projection, but retiring before the normal retirement age of 65 is looking like a real possibility too.

P.S. If you want to find out more about my Millionaire Financial Strategy, drop me a message and I will be happy to share more.

There is no shortcut to success.

And there is no shortcut to a happy marriage.

There will be ups and downs, but do remember the 5 Cs and we will learn to value each other more and make the most of our marriage.