Four Essential Commitments to Deepen the Love

Today's younger generations often struggle with commitment, opting for less baggage and more experiences. As parents, it's crucial to emphasize and model healthy commitment in relationships. Here are four essential commitments for deepening love:

1. Commit to Being Worthy of Another’s Trust

Acknowledge trustworthiness as crucial for long-term relationships. Demonstrate character and competency consistently. Earn trust through actions, not just by virtue of the relationship. Develop your character and competency within the relationship. Eliminate reactivity and selfishness; make and keep small commitments. Keep secrets, eliminate judgment, accept feedback, and do the right things for the right reasons.

Trustworthiness Test: If your partner were incapacitated, would they trust you as their sole caregiver?

2. Commit to More Deeply Understanding One Another

Recognize the importance of deep understanding for better results. Ensure your partner feels genuinely understood and appreciated. Prioritize listening over talking. Ask multiple questions to deepen understanding. Cultivate curiosity about your partner's thoughts and feelings. Suspend judgments, reactions, and responses to allow open sharing.

Understanding Test: Are you regularly learning new things about your partner that deepen your appreciation of who they are?

3. Commit to Shared Growth and Development

Recognize that growth is vital for a thriving relationship. Encourage each other's personal and shared goals. Commit to evolving together and supporting individual pursuits. Celebrate achievements and milestones, fostering a culture of shared success. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.

Growth Test: Are you both actively supporting each other's personal and shared goals, fostering a culture of shared success?

4. Commit to Open and Honest Communication

Prioritize clear, open, and honest communication. Establish an environment where both partners feel safe expressing themselves. Share feelings, thoughts, and concerns openly. Avoid bottling up emotions or resorting to passive-aggressive behavior. Embrace vulnerability and authenticity in your communication.

Communication Test: Do you feel safe expressing your true feelings and concerns in the relationship?

By making these commitments, couples can deepen their love, foster understanding, and create a foundation for a strong and lasting relationship.