Is life too short to be unhappy?

"Life is too short to be unhappy." Said, by hundreds of people, usually in response to some grumblings about peoples significant others, or spouses. These same people fall into two categories, the ones who really believe what they are saying and the ones who have bought what the former are selling in regards to romantic relationships. The second type of people think that the list of things that relationships can't, shouldn't or couldn't bounce back from are a byproduct of unhappiness. This would mean that relationships like these are disposable, only to be entered into in a euphoric state, and to be discarded the first time it is no longer fun and has become work.

We don't teach our children such things about relationship. The teenager who "hates" his parents doesn't get the option to throw his relationship to them away. He is made to stay the course, and essentially get over it. We tell him that this bond is some how stronger than even that of his parents. We have now shown him that marriage is not meant to last, only parenthood.

Disposable, makes you think of plastic bags, paper, moldy food, broken things in general. But, then there are the things that we give away because we don't like or need them anymore. I would like to think that we see our romantic relationships as more than moldy food or a good will donation.

 

Let me tell you a little secret....There will be things in marriage that make you unhappy. There will be moments where keeping your mouth shut and leaving the room is the best move you could make. But marriage is not about happiness. Re-read your vows. Nowhere does is say happiness is promised, or even integral to marriage. Marriage is about covenant. A vow. A partnership. A promise that no matter what you will pull yourselves up by your bootstraps and work towards restoration every single day.

 

Happiness comes when you marry the one you love. If love leaves every time you are unhappy, you need to change your mind because you are letting it lead your heart. It should be your heart leading your mind.

 

Resolve to be happy IN your marriage, not BECAUSE of it! It's what is inside that counts, everything else is just window dressing.