Do individuals get married to find happiness? To feel complete? To feel fulfilled? Content?

Marriage is a union of two people where each person has verbalized a commitment to the other to support, honor, love, cherish in sickness and in health.

But life happens. Conflicts arise. Problems mushroom.

Then what?

A counselor can teach the skills to couples so that they may see the benefit to roll with resistance, to solve conflictual issues, to compromise and be aware of negotiable conundrums.

Success seems to begin and end with healthy, respectful communication.

Holding resentments towards one's partner is common but what does one expect will happen?

Holding tightly to one's stance, "I'm right, he's wrong," gets you no where. Holding resentments is an action which hurts oneself, not the other.

Why do we do it then? What are our hopes? Does holding a resentment actually lead towards the change that a person desires?

Speaking honestly and openly with one's spouse is much more productive than being grounded in one's stance of being right.

Try being open, honest and vulnerable with your spouse about your feelings and thoughts on an issue. See if open communication can ensue this sparking intimate conversation and conflict resolution. Open, honest communication is more apt to get you what you want than pouting or holding a resentment.

Try it.