The Marriage Creed

1. COMFORT EACH OTHER

Provide a refuge and sanctuary for one another from the chill winds of the world. Your marriage is a hearth, from whence comes th peace, harmony and warmth of soul and spirit.

2. LISTEN TO EACH OTHER

Hear not only words, but also the non-language of tone, mood and expression. Learn to listen to understand rather than listening to argue.

3. CARESS AS YOU WOULD BE CARESSED

Warm your loved one's body with your soothing touch. Remember that as babies can die with lack of touching, so can marriage wither from lack of closeness.

4. RESPECT EACH OTHER'S RIGHTS

Each is a person with flesh and blood, entire to his or her own choices and mistakes. Each owns himself, and has the right to equality.

5. BE A FRIEND AND PARTNER

Friendship can be a peaceful land, separate and apart, in a world of turmoil and strike. Reflect upon the tranquility of the many, many future years you can share with a true friend and beware of becoming battling enemies under the same roof.

6. ALLOW THE OTHER TO BE AN INDIVIDUAL

Seek out to create for each other a new mold that can only fit with much pain and discomfort. Accept the other as they are, as you wold have yourself accepted.

7. BE OPEN WITH EACH OTHER

Embrace not yourselves in the secretness that causes suspicion and doubt. Trust and reveal yourselves to each other, even as the budding rose opens to reveal its beauty and fragrance.

8. CHERISH YOUR UNION

Let no one separate your togetherness, not child, not friend, not worldly goods. Yet maintain enough separateness to allow each other his or her own unique oneness.

9. GIVE EACH OTHER APPROVAL

Compliments encourage confidence in the other, while criticism divides. Hasten not to point out the other's mistake, for each will soon discover his own.

10. LOVE ONE ANOTHER

Love is your river of life--an eternal source of recreating yourselves. Above all else-love one another.