Dear After such a positive response from last week's tip about avoidingconversational grenades that create explosive conflict in your
marriage, here's another tip for staying in love:Stop Talking About NothingRemember the Seinfeld show years ago when the characters pitched an idea to a major network on developing a TV show
about
nothing?No theme. Plot. Or high stakes. The idea was to literally create a "show about nothing" (it was actually pretty funny, and if you were
a fan then you're probably smiling right now). When you stop to think about it though, isn't that the way it is
in marriage sometimes? How many conversations do you have with your spouse where
you literally talk about nothing? Some spouses take it even further and don't talk at all!
Perhaps you've seen them at a restaurant sitting at their table
in silence.Does it have to be that way? How much would you have totalk about with your spouse if you excluded kids, work
andweather as topics of conversation?In many homes across the country, typical conversations around
the dinner table might go something like this:
"How do you like your potatoes?"
"Is
the spaghetti overcooked?"
"What's on TV tonight?"
"What's the weather tomorrow?"
Please don't get me wrong. There's nothing wrong with small talk. But when the majority
of your conversations are about "nothing" then take it as an
opportunity
to grow in this area of your relationship - to make
your marriage better, stronger and warmer.Why talk about nothing when you can choose to talk about something?Talk About
SomethingConsider making it a rule in your marriage to intentionally talk about something a few times a week.Ask real questions - questions that matter.Ask your partner about their new
hobby or class. Ask your kids about what's happening at school. Ask
about their friends.
Take an active interest in their lives to demonstrate that you
care about them.Enjoy meaningful conversation.
Even if what they're doing doesn't really interest
you, their
life should because you love them.
If you want a happier marriage, then stop talking about nothing
and start talking about something.Until next time this is Mike & Gayle Tucker and we want youto be mad about marriage!
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