Showing empathy is one of the quickest ways to connect with someone on an emotional level. There are three types of empathy, but they don't just happen, they need to be purposefully created one conversation at a time.

Humility is one of the foundations of marriages that last. There are a number of qualities that are produced by humility.  You can ask yourself… Am I patient with my spouse? Am I willing to serve them? Am I open to correction?

Humility results in tenderness and emotional intimacy in marriage and can lead to a better life. 

Often in marriage we find ourselves loathing the very thing that attracted us to our spouse and the very thing we used to like. We don’t appreciate it any more. To leverage this situation you express your needs where those differences are now irking you or irritating you.

Differences can actually strengthen a marriage. The key is to appreciate your differences and express your needs.

Research has shown that people who listen make you feel more significant as a person. The effect also lasts after you have left their presence. It is so easy to have a positive impact even if you don’t know what questions to ask. In the context of marriage when your spouse leaves your presence after being listened to they feel boosted. They feel significant, they feel a great sense of worth and they feel more secure.

Have you heard of “The Five Love Languages”, by Dr. Gary Chapman? As I counsel couples I have found that couples benefit from understanding two key concepts. First of all, you have a love tank. Secondly, you fill love tanks by using the five love languages. Give thought to what your love languages are and what the love languages are of your loved ones. Doing so has the power to dramatically improve the quality of your relationships.

Do you know what your conflict handling style is and when it is best to use it? We all differ in how we handle conflict and tend to favour one style in particular. Competing, accommodating, avoiding, collaborating and compromising are all useful in certain situations and destructive in others. For example, competing is effective when quick, decisive action is needed but if used inappropriately it can result in reduced communication, damaged relationships and low levels of commitment from the other person.

We know that listening is important in marriage. So why don’t we practise it as much as we would like and what can we do about it? True listening is an art anyone can master and it leads to a more fulfilling marriage.

Growing in sexual intimacy starts with an understanding that men and women are different and intercourse is the fulfilment of an entire process. This week I share some practical tips to growing in this area. Simple things like having conversations that make your spouse feel more confident with their sexuality or giving your spouse the benefit of the doubt and telling them what you would like can make a world of difference.

Apologizing effectively is a fundamental capability necessary for relational maturity. This week I outline how to apologise effectively using the acronym AIRRRR. It begins with admission of guilt and the impact on the other person.

As I counsel couples I see that a lot of people today feel insecure in their marriages. Make it your goal this month to proactively fill your spouse’s love tank and to do things that increase the sense of security in your marriage. You will be amazed how they become the best version of themselves simply because they feel safe.