How many times have we heard those words in our lives – “practice, practice, practice, “or “practice makes perfect?” I remember as a child hating to hear those words – “it’s time for you to go practice the piano.”
I enjoy watching football and seeing skilled players make amazing throws and catches, efficient blocking patterns, and penetrating tackles. They make it look skillfully easy. Yet we are reminded they for those 60 minutes on the field (and they are individually on the field for much less time than that), they are spending dozens and dozens of hours practicing, watching film, reading playbooks, and listening to coaching. Practice is an essential ingredient to their success.
The concept is no less true in our marriages. Yet, many individuals operate as though that initial physical attraction and sweet words are enough to make a marriage survive. Marriages that work well – appear to the outside observer to be “easy.” But the reality is that behind that appearance of success is lots of practice. Practice talking, communicating feelings, and learning to express desires. Practice at resolving conflict, navigating finances, and parenting. Practice with intimacy, domestic responsibilities, and doing life together. The marriages that operate best and that are really the most fun are able to get to those places because the couples practice the skills necessary to ensure success.
If practice is the key to increased harmony and happiness in your relationship – what skills do you need to practice in the new year?