Relationships-Is Your Marriage on Auto-Pilot?

Ah…remember your honeymoon when you first were married? With love and marriage, then came Junior in the baby carriage. Suddenly, there are bills to pay; places to go, repairs to do and you're just tired all the time. You realize with a sigh, "so this is marriage?!"

Whether you've been married 12 months or 30 years, it doesn't have to mean the honeymoon is over. Always remember you get what you give to the marriage. If you give a humdrum effort day in and day out, that's what you'll get in return. If you give romance, guess what? You'll get the same in return?

Have you forgotten how to do that? Don't worry as here are ten suggestions to help jump start your marriage.

1. Drop off a cup of coffee and an apple to your spouse at work. Don't stay; just say you appreciate the hard work and thought they might be ready for a break.

2. Place a note in the sole of his/her shoes "You're my heart and sole"

3. When your spouse gets home from work have a picnic prepared – in the bedroom. Picnic blanket spread across the bed, beverage of choice, shrimp, strawberries, bread. If the kids are around, have a pizza waiting for them and tell them that the parents need some time to discuss some things.

4. Leave a love note in the purse or briefcase.

5. Participate in one of your spouse's activities that you'd rather not. Go fishing with him, go to a play with her, walk the golf course with him, take her shopping – just try it. Even if it's not the time of your life, the fact that you wanted to do something he/she enjoys will speak volumes.

6. Go for a walk and hold hands.

7. Switch chores. If you don't normally take out the trash, do it this week. If it's usually her job to do laundry, just do a load.

8. Compliment your spouse often. Don't say it if you don't mean it, but there is always something positive you can say. Whether, "I appreciate you working hard every day for us." Or "That dinner was fantastic" "That outfit makes you look really hot." Whatever – so long as you're sincere and you keep them coming!

Hopefully this has given you a start. Please give it some thought. Your random acts of kindness need not be time consuming nor expensive. Just remember, a little bit goes a long, long way!