The Building Blocks of a Good Marriage

February 24, 2009
by Rodney Olsen
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lovers.jpgAccording to Australian Family First senator Steve Fielding, divorce adds to the impact of global warming as couples switch to wasteful single lifestyles.

His claims were highlighted today in the News.com.au story, Divorce adds to climate change says Family First senator Steve Fielding.

We understand that there is a social problem (with divorce), but now we’re seeing there is also environmental impact as well on the footprint.

He’s certainly got a point. If divorce means that families that once occupied one household are now split between two homes, they will be using up more resources than if they stayed together.

While I think there is merit in looking after the planet, I think there are far greater reasons to keep marriages together. I understand that it may not always be possible and that many readers already know the pain of divorce. Although I’ve never experienced it I know that it must be a devastating experience and that there aren’t too many people who would take such a step lightly.

So if we’re to keep marriages together, even turning difficult marriages around, we need to go back to basics and understand the building blocks of marriage and our part in keeping a relationship not only alive but thriving and growing.

Once a fortnight during my morning radio programme on 98.5 Sonshine FM I chat to Rob Furlong about relationships of various kinds. We discuss how to develop better relationships. The only person we can truly control in our relationships is our self so we also discuss ways to move forward personally so that we can bring everything we should to a relationship.

This morning we started discussing the building blocks of marriage. Today’s segment was just the beginning in a journey that we’ll take over the coming months as we seek to look at the most important characteristics of a good, solid marriage.

If you’d like to hear what Rob has to say just click the play button on the audio player at the bottom of this post.

What do you think are the essentials of a good marriage? Are there things you know now that you wish you’d known before you married? If you’re single, how are you discovering what you need to know to equip you for marriage?

[audio:http://mpegmedia.sonshinefm.ws/feeds/ROB240209_1251.mp3]

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Sweet Sixteen

December 12, 2008
by Rodney Olsen
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Sixteen years ago today I said, “I do.”

In January 1992 I met the most wonderful woman I’ve ever known and in December of the same year I watched her walk down the aisle and promise to love me for life.

I love Pauline more and more as each year passes.

It’s hard to believe that I could find someone so amazing; someone who was prepared to commit herself to travelling life’s roads with me no matter what the journey would bring.



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Romancing your spouse

October 7, 2008
by Rodney Olsen
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Today’s challenge is to pick a couple of items (or more) from the list and put them into action.

Christianity Today has published a list writen by Jill Savage titled The Most (Unusual) Romantic Things. It’s a list of 20 simple ideas that will help you let your ‘significant other’ that you’re thinking of them. Go on … check out the list and get started.

We can get so caught up thinking that romance is all about the big gestures that we forget about the little things that say ‘I love you’. I spotted a few things on the list that I’m already doing and a few that I should start doing.

I’d love to get your comments and ideas for a few more simple things that will help keep romance alive. What are the little things you do that communicate your love? What little things does your spouse do that remind you that you are loved? What are the little things you wish your spouse would do for you?

Thanks to Bowden McElroy for pointing me to the article.



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Valentine's Day 2008

February 14, 2008
by Rodney Olsen
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valentine.jpgIt’s a day for love and a day for florists and chocolate retailers.

Have you ever wondered why we celebrate Valentine’s Day? Do you know who Saint Valentine was?

Did you know that Saint Valentine was executed because he stood up for marriage and commitment? That’s a long way from the kind of superficial love that seems to be highlighted on this day each year.

I remember as a single guy many years ago sending out half a dozen or more anonymous cards and then just hoping that there might be one or two waiting for me in my letterbox.

These days there’s just one Valentine for me. I tell Pauline that I love her every day but I still enjoy having a reason to declare my affections and to give her a few small gifts.

What does Valentine’s Day mean for you? Do you have any funny Valentine’s stories?

I remember receiving thanks from a friend for the Valentine’s gift that I delivered to her door in the early hours of February the 14th around 20 years ago. Only problem was that I didn’t deliver it. It wasn’t from me. No matter how much I tried to convince her that it wasn’t me, she just smiled and continued to thank me. I still wonder to this day who the poor guy was that selected such a lovely gift, secretly delivered it, and then got no recognition for it at all.



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Dr Pat Love in Perth

January 31, 2008
by Rodney Olsen
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For more than twenty five years, Doctor Pat Love has contributed to relationship education and personal development through her books, articles, training programs, speaking and media appearances.

Her ever-popular books such as Hot Monogamyand The Truth About Love have literally taken her around the world spreading the good news about marriage and committed relationships. Pat is in demand as an expert presenter. She has appeared many times on Oprah, The Today Show and CNN.

Pat Love joined me in the studio at 98.5 Sonshine FM today for a chat about her work.

We all have a yearning for intimate relationships yet we usually fail to give relationships the care they need. Is it a fear of vulnerability or do we just lack the tools to make relationships work? You can hear what Pat has to say by listening to our conversation. Just click the play button on the audio player at the bottom of this post.

Pat Love’s latest book is titled Why Women Talk and Men Walk: How to Improve Your Relationship Without Discussing It which is also sold as How To Improve Your Marriage Without Talking About It. It’s a book which has been very warmly received by men. It was very interesting hearing Pat’s understanding of the different roles that we play in relationships.



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