Heartfelt Marriage

Can you think of anyone you know who has or had a successful marriage? Maybe your parents – maybe an aunt and uncle who always seemed to make good decisions, loved each other and got along nicely.

Perhaps it is a friend you have in your MOPS group or a buddy you like to be around at church or at your service club.

In this podcast, Dr. Ross discusses how good role models are good for your marriage! When you see other people live happy lives, it encourages you to do what you can to make your life enjoyable, even blissful.

Who are your role models for a good marriage?

The podcast is 10 minutes

Over ten years ago a rumor got out that half of all marriages in the U.S. end in divorce. Guess what, it was a rumor. The “fact” was checked and disproven, but the news was reported again and again and again until it became believed more than Santa Claus.

Some years ago, some sociologists asked recently married and divorced Americans a dozen or so questions about their marriage: How long they dated, how long they were engaged, etc. After running the data through a multivariate model, the researchers calculated the factors that best predicted whether a marriage would last forever or end in divorce.

Their results revealed that there were from five to seven significant factors that led to stable marriages. I have synthesized their findings with my decades of observation and have come up with my view of what it will take for you to have a stable marriage.

Hear them in this 9-minute fast-moving, power-packed podcast. It will help you create the stable marriage you desire.

Dear Friend,

After my wife’s death, I found out things about her that I never knew. Our oldest son, David, was her undisputed favorite child, and he revealed to me a couple of her secrets. I’ll tell you about one of them in this podcast.

The theme is that both husband and wife are individuals who make up a common third entity called marriage. However, you cannot define yourself solely regarding what you think others need of you. You cannot be only “wife” and exclude all other aspects of who you are. You cannot be just “husband” and not have time and space that is yours.

May God bless you and your mate as you negotiate the time and space, the quirks and traits of each other’s personality and both of you wholly become who you are, and at the same time, the two of you become entirely one. Or as I like to say, I am me, and you are you, and our marriage is us.

Enjoy the podcast and feel free to forward it to anyone you know who wants a mutually satisfying, emotionally healthy, till-death-do-us-part marriage.

 Thank you,

Dr. Ron Ross

The Podcast is 9 minutes

Responsibility is two-words in one: “response” and “ability.” That’s what Dr. Ross discusses in this podcast. He points out that some really good stuff happens to people who take responsibility for their lives. When you’re in charge of you, you create your own fortune – your own vocation – your own calling.

When you blame others, you forfeit your future and surrender your life to being the perpetual victim, the sorry Sam or the miserable Mary for whom nothing good ever happens.

Who do you blame for your screw-ups? If you take personal responsibility for the state of your affairs, you’re a gem of a person. Keep up the good work – the world needs more people like you, individuals who don’t blame their mother or the weather or the government or their mate for whatever goes wrong in their lives.

For a more harmonious home, for a more loving relationship with every member of your family, whenever you make a mistake, admit it – take personal responsibility, then apologize for it, then fix it, and make it right.

 When you do, you’ll go from being the smallest and weakest person in the room to the greatest and most influential.

While getting a haircut recently, my hairdresser, Jackie (not her real name), told me a sorrowful story about betrayal, suicide, and struggle. I share the story with you in this week’s podcast because I want you to receive the same encouragement I gave Jackie. The story will break your heart, but I want it to motivate you to do everything you can to give all the love you have and receive all the love you need to become all the person God wants you to be. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Ron Ross

From Dr. Ross:

I have officiated at over 300 marriages. In the process, I noticed that many brides and some grooms think it’s like they are in a Hallmark movie.

The bride thinks the guy she’s in love with is Mister Perfect, her long-awaited soul mate, the kindest most generous most loving man she’s ever met. She thinks.

And the guy thinks something similar – she’s beautiful, she’s kind, and not only that, she likes me! What more could a guy want? He wonders.

Then they get married. The bride soon learns Mr. Perfect, isn’t perfect – he’s flawed. The groom finds out she’s not the fantastic figure of feminine flawlessness he thought he married.

How is it that two people so in love with each other can one day wake up, look at the person lying in bed with them and wonder, “who is that woman, next to me?” or “Who is that stranger I let into my bedroom?”

The problem is EXPECTATIONS. That’s what this podcast is about – what each mate expects out of their marriage and how to deal with their differences. Want to be closer to each other? Listen to this podcast!

The podcast is 9 Minutes long.

What is your favorite Christmas memory? What was your worst Christmas? As the dad and mom in your household, you’re the ones who create Christmas memories for each other and your children.

In this podcast, Dr. Ross shares Christmas memories from his marriage to that “cute little Colorado girl named Amy Kay” that he was married to for over 50 years!

You’ll delight in his memories and in the process, realize afresh that Christmas is about the people you love the most. It’s not about expensive gifts, elaborate meals, or crazy parties. It’s about each other and the eternal “Other” who was born on Christmas Day, Jesus Christ.

You will find the podcast endearing and helpful. It lasts only 9 minutes.

What does it mean to be content?

 Dr. Ross answers the question with two fascinating stories – one is about the time he moved his young wife and two toddler children to Africa. When they arrived, all they owned were the clothes in their suitcases. This experience taught them what contentment was all about.

His second story is about a recent visit he had to the home of a very wealthy family (mom, dad, and 2 kids). They had every toy and every convenience imaginable. Were they content? You might be able to guess the answer, but you will enjoy Dr. Ross’s story of his visit and how it applies to life.

In this podcast, Dr. Ross defines contentment like this: It is the feeling you get when you realize the stuff you have is just about all the stuff you’re going to need.

The podcast is 10 minutes long.

In this podcast, Dr. Ross reminds us that the holiday season is a time when family memories are made. He begins with a personal story about how he almost ruined his first Christmas with his teenage bride well over 50 years ago.

 He continues with some touching memories of the last days of his long marriage to “that cute little Colorado girl named Amy Kay.”

 He wonders, “What kind of memories are you creating for your marriage, for your family? For your husband, your wife, your children?

 You will love this personal, emotional and relevant podcast by Dr. Ross.

The podcast is 9 minutes long.

“I just want a happy marriage!” is a lament you hear often.

 In this podcast, Dr. Ross shares with you an almost sure-fire way to plant the seeds of happiness in your marriage relationship – and it’s something you can start doing today without even telling your mate. The best thing is – it’s EASY, FUN, and FULFILLING for you, your mate, and everyone around you!

The podcast is 9 minutes long.