God Knows Marriage Isn't Always Easy: 12 Ways to Add Zest

Is there a secret to a good marriage? Lanny Law and Maureen Rogers Law don't propose any hidden formula for success. Rather, they retrace the steps of a loving relationship that all couples pledge to at the time of their wedding and remind husbands and wives of twelve essential ways to improve their relationship. Way 1, for example, is simply "Meet and Do Things Together." When many marriages reach a flat pitch, it is often only because wife and husband have not arranged a given amount of time to be together. The Laws propose putting work and personal interest schedules behind in order to give first priority to simply being together-whether for a walk around the neighborhood, a trip for yogurt, or a weekend getaway. The other ways are equally simple but profound: Way 2 Accept the Similarities and Differences in Each Other Way 3 Strive to Understand Each Other Way 4 Choose to Feel Each Other's Emotions Way 5 Mindfully Nurture Your Love Way 6 Make Your Relationship Priority Number One Way 7 Delight One Another with Touch Way 8 Consciously Balance Togetherness and Uniqueness Way 9 Help One Another Way 10 Resolve Conflicts Before They Get Worse Way 11 Readily Forgive and Reconcile If Possible Way 12 Share Each Other's Joys and Sorrows These twelve ways are all necessary elements for having a better marriage. Having a healthy marriage is one of life's greatest blessings. In a thriving marriage, wife and husband are energized and can withstand just about any circumstances they face. These twelve ways will help you face and prosper through the challenges of marriage.

A former minister, Lanny Law received a Master's degree in theological studies at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, a Master of Divinity Degree from McCormick Seminary in Chicago and a Master's degree with a focus on conflict resolution from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. He also received a Doctor of Ministry Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Colgate Rochester Divinity School in Rochester, New York.

Maureen Rogers Law, who was born and raised in Ireland, received a Master's with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. In 1995, she was named Outstanding Graduate Student by the Minnesota Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

The Laws, who have been married for more than 20 years, live with their four children in St. Paul.