Many times, I realize that people have misconceptions about the institution of marriage. Most people believe that love alone would get them through any marital problem. Some are even of the opinion of with love; no problems would arise in their union. If you are one of those who think like this; how wrong you are! Love is a very important ingredient for a blissful marriage but it is not the only ingredients. You need lots of patience, tolerance, determination and self-control to be able to enjoy a blissful union.

Other important ingredients of marriage are:

1. High level of commitment
2. Unending faithfulness
3. Open and effective communication
4. Mutual support and encouragement of one another

You need to stay committed to your union because that is the only way things can work. If you are committed to making things work; things would go wrong. Commitment would help you make out time for your spouse and make necessary sacrifices for him/her.

Remaining faithful to your spouse forever is not a piece of cake; it requires lots of self-control and determination. But it is one of most important things that would bind you and your spouse together.

You need to constantly be in communication with your spouse because that is the only way to build trust and mutual understanding. If you both don't communicating easily and readily, you would find that you would both hurt each other constantly.

Spouses need to constantly support and encourage each other to succeed in life. If you don't give your spouse encouragement and support, he/she would begin to confide in someone else and it would eventually cause problems for the union. On the other hand, when you regularly give your spouse support in their interests and career; you are energizing them to succeed and he/she would appreciate you more for it.