ComputerHunter.org

 

New Findings on Happiness Have Implications for Rocky Marriages


Not only do individuals who follow Time Magazine's "Eight Steps Toward a More Satisfying Life" suggestions (Time, January 17, 2005, p. A8-A9) increase their own level of happiness, they also increase the odds that they can keep their marriage.

The same actions that can lead to a more satisfying life are the ones that can help to improve a troubled marriage. Two of the Time suggestions are to count your blessings by keeping a gratitude journal and to learn to forgive.

These same steps are necessary to maximize a spouse's efforts to cope with a marriage that is in danger of falling apart. In their book Keep Your Marriage: What To Do When Your Spouse says "I don't love you anymore" co-authors Nancy J. Wasson, Ph.D. and Lee Hefner also advise spouses to keep a gratitude journal.

According to Wasson and Hefner, this might seem like a strange recommendation, but it's when things aren't going well that you most need to look for the positive things that are present in your life. They write, "A gratitude journal gives you a nudge to remind yourself of the many blessings already present in your life...Being aware of your blessings gives you a broader, more balanced perspective of your life."

This, they contend, jump starts the process of being able to see an increased number of positives instead of overlooking them as people in crisis often do. While spouses may start out listing positives such as watching a beautiful sunset, the process makes it easier for them to begin noticing what's right about their partner and marriage instead of only focusing on the negative aspects.

The co-authors also agree with the Time suggestion of learning to forgive as a key ingredient in a happy life. They state that "Forgiveness involves letting go of resentment and blame. It's something that you do for yourself when you are ready to let go of depleting anger." Wasson and Hefner contend that shaky marriages are usually full of grudges and hurts from the past.

According to Dr. Wasson, "Someone has to take the lead in making healthy changes that can change the present dynamics of blame and resentment. One partner deciding to forgive themselves and the partner for not being perfect can have an amazing impact on the marriage and its chances to survive the crisis."

The Time article recommends writing a letter of forgiveness to the person who has hurt or wronged you. Co-author Hefner sees this as a "courageous step of taking responsibility for your own happiness and well-being, as well as the health of your relationship."

According to the Time article, University of Illinois psychologist Edward Diener, a.k.a. Dr. Happiness, has found that loss of a spouse is one of two life events that seem to "knock people lastingly below their happiness set point." (The other is loss of a job.) Seventy-three percent of participants in a recent Time poll responded that their relationship with their spouse or partner or their love life is a major source of happiness.

Based on the current findings, Wasson and Hefner state that it makes more sense than ever to recognize the potential of a marriage to boost happiness and health and to work to keep and improve it.

Nancy J. Wasson, Ph.D., is co-author of Keep Your Marriage: What to Do When Your Spouse Says "I don't love you anymore!" The e-book is available at http://www.KeepYourMarriage.com , where you can also sign up for the free Keep Your Marriage Internet Magazine. Contact Nancy at Nancy@KeepYourMarriage.com.







Google News - Top Stories

ABC News

Axelrod on Economy: We Have to 'Do Something Big'
ABC News - 1 hour ago
By MARY K. BRUCE As President-elect Barack Obama continues to push Congress for a wide-ranging economic stimulus package to be ready on his desk by Inauguration Day, questions remain surrounding the price tag of such a plan.
Obama Aides Signal Deeper Cuts in Taxes and Spending New York Times
Obama to announce his top economic team Reuters
Bloomberg - CBS News - Financial Times - FOXNews
all 599 news articles


Washington Post

APEC leaders pledge swift economic action
Reuters - 1 hour ago
By Chisa Fujioka and Oleg Shchedrov LIMA (Reuters) - The United States, China, Japan and 18 other economies in Asia and the Americas pledged quick and decisive action on Sunday to prevent a severe global economic downturn.
Pacific Rim Leaders Vow to `Act Quickly' to Avert Slowdown Bloomberg
APEC leaders urges to address climate change Xinhua
AFP - Washington Post - The Associated Press - New York Times
all 3,680 news articles


Los Angeles Times

'Twilight' leaves its box-office mark
Los Angeles Times - 53 minutes ago
By Richard Verrier A wildly popular vampire love story bit into the box office with a vengeance, helping to deliver a banner weekend for the industry as Hollywood brushed off one of the worst weeks ever on Wall Street.
UPDATE 1-Moviegoers enter 'Twilight' zone at box office Reuters
'Twilight' takes bite out of box office Variety
Bloomberg - Mania - Box Office Prophets - Rotten Tomatoes
all 146 news articles


Washington Post

Official: Richardson to be commerce secretary
The Associated Press - 3 hours ago
NEW YORK (AP) - President-elect Barack Obama has chosen New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to be commerce secretary, adding a prominent Hispanic and one-time Democratic rival to his expanding Cabinet.
Video: Richardson Likely Pick for Commerce Secretary AssociatedPress
UPDATE: Official: Richardson to be commerce secretary WNCT
CNN Political Ticker - FOXNews - Washington Post - Donklephant
all 628 news articles


Voice of America

Tibetans back Dalai Lama's 'middle way,' despite impatience
Christian Science Monitor - 34 minutes ago
But they may yet abandon his moderate stance on China if it doesn't bring progress soon, they warned. By Mark Sappenfield | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor NEW DELHI - At the end of a conference called to consider the future of the ...
Dalai Lama Urges Caution in Tibet's Dealings With China Washington Post
Tibetan exiles at a crossroads BBC News
Indian Express - Wall Street Journal - AFP - eTaiwan News
all 1,697 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base