Zig Ziglar has always been one of my favorite authors/motivational speakers . . . in fact, he wrote the first positive thinking book I ever read--the classic SEE YOU AT THE TOP.
I read that book in college and have devoured just about everything Ziglar has produced--with the possible exception of COURTSHIP AFTER MARRIAGE . . . for some reason, I had missed that one when it came out back in 1990 . . . yet hearing it now for the first time, I found it to be amazingly up-to-date with its advice . . . and especially relevant for me, given the fact that I'll be getting married in less than two months and do believe ROMANCE CAN LAST A LIFETIME (the program's subtitle).
I loved listening to the tape program, in that it reminded me of how much I like hearing Ziglar . . . he's corny, but also funny and oh so real . . . my only regret is that I did not have a copy of the book with the same title because there were so many things that I would have wanted to underline and review--over and over.
For instance, he urges listeners to make an effort every day to please your mate . . . this can be done by asking at the start of each day: What can I do to make your life easier, better
and more fun?
In addition, I came away with many other ideas, including (to cite just a few):
Women should be just as kind to their mates as they are to their hairdressers. Men should be just as kind to their mates as they are to strangers who ask for directions.
Accept the fact that it's now who is right, but it's what is right.
And what is important.
You change your partner by changing you.
Confrontation involving condemnation seldom brings about any change.
The important question in marriage is what am I putting into it, not what am I getting out of it.
In marriage, we both need to be on the same side . . . it is not my bank account, but our bank account.
Marriage is not a 50-50 proposition. It is a 100-100 proposition. You give your mate 100% of your love and affection, and you'll get the same.
Always welcome your mate home. When you do, treat your mate as if he or she had a tough day.
Swap jobs for one week. In general, don't keep score on who does what.
A beautiful marriage is built up on a long series of little things you do for your mate for no reason on Earth but for the best reason of all:
You love your mate.
And this final one that REALLY made a lot of sense to me:
Fight while holding hands!