Romantic Love & Marriage—Happiness?

Marriage can be full of satisfying rewards and bring a great deal of happiness to a couple. In general, most single people look forward to happiness in marriage, making a life with what they believe their “soul-mate”. As Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers of the United States said in 1813: “The happiness of the domestic fireside is the first favor of heaven.” I am not sure that it is really the first favor from heaven but it is definitely one of heaven’s favors, and we owe our Creator, as the originator, gratitude for making it possible.

Recently, it seems marriage does not result in happiness for everyone. Marriage has lost its meaning somewhere along the way. People are getting divorced faster than they marry. As a matter of fact, it was reported in 2010 that the divorce rates are on an increase all over the world. In the United States it was a whopping 49%, the UK 53% and Germany 41%. The sad reality is that it is possible that the statistics do not include the whole, sad story. If previously mentioned percentages in these countries break up legally, I wonder how many go through separation, or tolerate drama because they do not want to start from scratch and/or separation would only make the situation worse.

It’s truly a wonderful feeling!

Why do so many marriages fail to bring happiness? It can mostly be attributed to the couple putting so much into romantic love, rather than the REAL situations that can and may arise. Basically, when a couple comes together they are induced by the power of sexual attraction, which can play a dominating role in the decision. Not to belittle love. There is no question that falling in love can be a very satisfying feeling. I can make you like you are on cloud 9.

On the other hand, as regards romantic love about.com tells us that it is “when the chemicals in your brain kick in and you feel an emotional high, exhilaration, passion, and elation when you and your lover are together.”

Romantic love seems to be more based on the attraction that a couple has for each other. That could be called that chemical reaction due to the power sexual hormones. But genuine happiness involves far more than sex and emotional highs. Along with emotion, we all need to exercise self-control when in the romantic love situation. We should all remember that romantic love can be the entrance to marital happiness only if it is kept in its place.

******Peaceful Journeys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!