Michael and I celebrated our 36th anniversary this week. Three + decades of relationship! Could it really be possible and have gone by so quickly? What will the next 30 look like? I have been reminiscing about our relationship and have noticed that it has changed and expanded over the years, as have we. What are the keys to our marriage continuing and deepening, and what have been our challenges? Here are some of the secrets we’ve used for a successful Marriage. Over the next few weeks, I will share my simple “ABC’s” that I believe have helped us stay happily married.

This week - the A’s!

My Wedding Day

AFFECTION. We still hold hands – even in public! Hugging brings us closer and balances our energies. And kisses, from sweet to passionate, keep romance alive.

APPRECIATION. We don’t take each other for granted. Michael still thanks me for each meal I cook, each batch of clean clothes that appears in the closet, each painting I create, and the way I nurture him, our son and our families. I appreciate his wisdom, his “consulting” our friends and family with questions in their lives, that he makes me a perfect cup of tea, and that he found this beautiful home we live in.

ADMIRATION. We admire (out loud) the many facets of each other. Not a day goes by without Michael telling me how beautiful I am and me admiring how handsome he is. We admire each other’s commitment to family and friends. Michael recently sat in the back of the room of a workshop I led and the admiration he expressed for me was amazing. I admire his brilliance on so many topics (he’s my personal Google!), and his visionary outlook on life. And we admire the way each of us uniquely implements our spiritual practice into everyday life.

We are human and have had our fair share of bumps in the road, as do all relationships. Check back next week for the “B’s” that have gotten us through those challenges!

Photos courtesy of: Fiona Nagle and Wayne Houston.

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Keeping the focus on our center results in balance.

The continuous equalizing of “out of balance” and “back in balance” brings us closer to our own equilibrium. Those things that seem to push us out of balance are the real teachers in our life. Discovering our own ways to return to equilibrium is a lifetime task and an expression of creativity.

Walking in our truth and wisdom aligns us. Being swayed by the opinions of others can move us further from balance. Stretching when the time is right and relaxing when it is needed are ways to maintain balance in our growth as conscious human beings. A careful tending of our inner life leads us back to ourselves and to perfect balance.

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When we tap into our inner reservoir, we find peace.

That place of no turmoil, no doubt, no fear – that is the palace of peace. The world around us can be uncertain and appear quite treacherous, but when we connect with our own inner peace, our state of mind remains calm and clear. Peace has the power to uplift and transform difficulties into opportunities. Peace is the ability to realign conflict to cooperation.

When we open ourselves to inner peace, we can walk into each situation of our life with strength and courage. Peace is our guiding light in these times of distrust and violence. Peace is our gift to those around us, for when we radiate our peace out into the world, it harmonizes and elevates the vibration of our planet. Peace!

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