Are we susceptible to the disposable society syndrome? Last week we went to look at the price of a new printer. The printer we were looking at was $99AU. The printer cartridge to go in it was $219AU!
‘That’s ludicrous,’ I said. ‘It’d be cheaper just to keep buying a new printer.’ Mick agreed, it’s a crazy system.
It made me think we have become a disposable society. Sadly that attitude carries over into our marriages as well. It sometimes seems when couples strike a rough patch and things aren’t going well or the gloss has gone off the marriage , the easy option is to start thinking about divorce rather than thinking about how to work at and improve their marriage.
We have the example too set by celebrities who seem to change their marriage partners as easily as they change movie roles. Of course some situations may be irreconcilable but it seems to me that too often couples are too ready to admit defeat and look for the option of opting out. Marriages need to be worked at. They need time and effort but into them. A good, lasting marriage doesn’t just happen.
In our garage we have a freezer we bought 39 years ago. Like its owners the outside these days looks a little worse for wear, which is why it lives in the garage. But it sill works fine, so we’re not about to replace it. Yet 5 years is what most manufacturers claim an appliance should last. Sadly it seems some people have a similar attitude to the marriage partner. They’re busy looking around at what they missed out on and what else is available, rather than trying to improve and devote time to the marriage they have.
Recently Mick and I had a barbecue with another couple we’d met but didn’t know well. The two guys got on amazingly well and enjoyed each other’s company. It was a great night. ‘Your husband’s gorgeous,’ my friend said when we got together after the evening.
‘I know,’ I said, understanding what she meant. And he is. Gorgeous on the inside where it counts, not that there’s anything wrong with the outside either.
After all the years we’ve been married I can still say that. I know there is no-one else I’d want to spend my life with. No, life hasn’t always been easy. We’ve struggled with family crises, illness, death and grief, money problems, etc but we’ve come through it all together. In many ways the hard times have made our marriage stronger. No way would I want to trade him in. He’s easy to get along with, relates well to others and he loves, encourages, supports and is faithful to me, just as I am to him. Talking things through is one of the biggest helps in building a lasting marriage.
Please visit these related blogs
Money Strategies That Worked in Our Marriage