Advice to Newlyweds

At the wedding reception I once attended, the thing that I remember the most is the father of the bride’s toast to the newlyweds.  As he raised his cup, he offered two most important phrases to remember for a successful marriage: "You're right and I am wrong" and "I am sorry".

This was met with some knowing chuckles from the audience.  Wise words and not just for marriage. There is no doubt these are some of the most powerful words exchanged in sustaining relationships. Both at work and at home.

I think about all the times that my pride or stubbornness or fear of losing "face" has prevented me from saying these simple things. And looking back, how much better things would have turned out and how much wasted time and pain would have been avoided had I been able to swallow my pride.

But letting down our defenses is an act of trust and hard to do. I know it is for me.  However, although there is a risk when that happens, I have found it worth it when I gathered the courage to do it