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We are all familiar with the old saying “opposites attract.” There’s a deep truth to that, especially as it applies to relationships.<\/span><\/p>\n It may seem counterintuitive, but couples who are different from each other actually make for a stronger marriage. How can that be?<\/span><\/p>\n Couples that are different from each other use their differences to learn and to grow. This explains the attraction between introverts and extroverts, timid people and confident ones.<\/span><\/p>\n Differences strengthen a relationship when they are recognized for how these distinctions add richness to the couple as a whole.<\/span><\/p>\n You might think that the magic formula for a loving relationship would be to put two very similar people together. After all, birds of a feather flock together, right?<\/span><\/p>\n Certainly, there are <\/span>core values that couples should hold<\/span><\/a> a similar view on, such as honesty, faithfulness, finances, and family values. If two individuals’ core values are polar opposites, a strong marriage would be nearly impossible to achieve.<\/span><\/p>\n Values and beliefs are one’s preference. For these important core values, <\/span>it is important that they overlap.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Two people can be very different when it comes to professions, interests, hobbies, and daily pursuits. They can even be on opposite sides of the political spectrum. But those differences matter little in comparison to the big issue: core values. And the strongest couples tend to share those.<\/span><\/p>\n Marriage differences bring balance to your relationship.<\/b><\/p>\n Let’s look at how being different from each other makes us stronger as a couple. In this way, we can <\/span>learn to appreciate how being different from each other enhances our marital bond<\/span><\/a> and our lives in general.<\/span><\/p>\n First, imagine if you married someone who was exactly like you. How would this impact the two of you?<\/span><\/p>\n Here are listed a few aspects that are commonly observed when two similar people get married.<\/span><\/p>\n You would never have an opportunity to experience personal growth, as you would never be required to work through how to accept people’s differences.<\/span><\/p>\n You would not learn <\/span>how to resolve conflict<\/span><\/a>, reach a compromise, or respectfully exchange different views with your significant other.<\/span><\/p>\n The notion of “we are two different people” does not enter into your discussions. You would not get a chance to see issues from your spouse’s perspective since theirs would be identical to yours.<\/span><\/p>\n Your differences deepen your marriage by allowing you space to grow through observing and understanding your partner’s way of walking through the world.<\/b><\/p>\n Identifying each other’s differences is a helpful exercise to do with each other. This can be the start of some valuable discussions.<\/span><\/p>\n Remember: your differences are legitimate and important parts of who you each are.<\/b><\/p>\n Here are some ways you might be different from each other:<\/span><\/p>\n Your spouse might be an avid volunteer, helping at the soup kitchen or the school bake sale. You may have never been much for this type of community involvement, but being with your spouse has rubbed off on you.<\/span><\/p>\n You are now the first person to offer to clean-up the neighborhood park on a Saturday or go from house to house collecting clothes to give away to the homeless.<\/span><\/p>\n Your commitment to healthy eating, outdoor exercise, and hour-a-day meditation session has helped your formerly-couch potato spouse embrace a more-vibrant lifestyle.<\/span><\/p>\n Before knowing you, they had no interest in vegetables or a more plant-based diet. But after they saw how much energy you had, they got on board with this way of living.<\/span><\/p>\n This difference between partner and spouse has had a positive effect on your couple, and you can look forward to many years of good health together!<\/span><\/p>\n You may be the party queen, able to stay out all night and still get up to go to work in the morning. Your partner may be less enthusiastic about large parties that last until dawn.<\/span><\/p>\n By honoring his needs from time to time, you show that you care about his baseline personality type (the introvert), and, even if you don’t realize it, do yourself some good as well: a good night’s sleep never hurts!<\/span><\/p>\n One of you wants to take care of pesky tasks–like bill-paying–right away. The other lets the bills stack up, saying they will get to it “eventually.”<\/span><\/p>\n Discussing how to meet in the middle will be helpful in getting things done on a timely basis, all while preserving your individual way of approaching this life obligation.<\/span><\/p>\n What needs to happen is for each of you to explain your perspective on taking care of tasks without striving to invalidate the other’s viewpoint. After that, you can negotiate an <\/span>acceptable compromise<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n The above are just a few examples of couples that don’t match. Once you have identified your differences, take some time to acknowledge them. Yes, you are different from each other. This is a good thing!<\/span><\/p>\n Being different from each other allows you each to be your true selves.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/span>Differences in marriage – Reasons to appreciate them!<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>What if you are married to someone exactly like you?<\/span><\/h2>\n
No personal growth<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Life would be fairly boring<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Your empathy skills would remain undeveloped<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/span>Exploring your differences<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n1. Your sense of obligation towards your community<\/b><\/h3>\n
2. Healthy lifestyle<\/b><\/h3>\n
3. Intro and extroversion<\/b><\/h3>\n
4. Do it now vs. The Procrastinator<\/b><\/h3>\n