Dark truths of successful marriage: an introduction

Judging from social media posts, magazine covers and other forms of consumer information, most people are looking for a relationship life that is smooth, fulfilling, growing, interesting, passionate and exciting.  This, despite the common disclaimers that go something like this…
 
“I know relationships are hard and they require work.” 
 
Or,
 
“No one is perfect, certainly not me.  So, I know there will be ups and downs.”
 
No acknowledgement of difficulty nor awareness of imperfection seem to stop us from looking for the quick cure that will, within a few designated steps, resolve all the really difficult issues we confront.  Maybe it’s always been this way.  Or, maybe we are simply living out an instant culture brought to us by quick internet searches and same-day delivery for online purchases.  It doesn’t really matter.  What matters is acknowledging the difficulty of successful relationships, letting that awareness soak in thoroughly and diving deeply into the work of making things go well.
 
By not letting the awareness of difficulty soak in thoroughly we fool ourselves into thinking things will be fine.  Most of us are unwilling to embrace the depth of the relationship difficulties we face.  We prefer to avoid them and hope for the best.  The net result of avoidance is that we feel some temporary relief.  But, in all likelihood the difficulties take root and become even more entrenched.
 
It takes a lot of acceptance, patience and courage to experience the full extent of what happens in an intimate relationship.  Sometimes it’s even difficult to embrace how good things are.  So, it’s not just the hard stuff that we resist.  Being completely open to what a relationship brings…both good and bad…is the definition of intimacy.  Intimacy often feels great but not always.  Though it doesn’t always feel good, it’s always productive.
 
Going forward, I’ll take a look at some of The Dark Truths of Successful Marriage.  These are the things we’re often reluctant to acknowledge and even more reluctant to embrace. 

Stay tuned…