Grandmom perspective for a successful and lasting alliance !

We will be completing our 20th year of a successful alliance;  a fulfilling journey, enjoying every moment and looking forward to more fun.  Looking back down memory lane, I fondly recall (with  limited memory) my journey to the wedding venue. Squeezed between my grandmother and my best friend, in the back seat of the car, the only way to beat the anxiety and joy was to listen to my grandmother’s sternly delivered sermons on living through a successful and blissful marriage.

These sermons is a reflection of the wisdom that has has been passed on for generations and a reflection of her personal experiences and her story. Though her journey, experience and circumstances were different, many of her sermons aren't redundant and still encouraging; many of these find application in managing business, building effective personal relationships, employee engagement and retention. 

• Beauty is just not skin deep; look beyond the façade. Marriage alliance brings two personalities, habits, culture, families and communities together.  
• Never marry for money, you can borrow it cheaper! You don't need an inheritance nor a dowry; you just need enough money to make you both comfortable, happy, and stress free.  In today’s circumstances, individuals do need to consider the education, experience, family support, and the potential future income generating ability of the potential candidate. 
• Marriage is a friendship and a partnership; respect, trust, compromise, commitment, collaboration, and patience is the only cornerstone for an everlasting success and happiness.
• Before marriage it is "I, me, you"; after marriage "we, ours, us ". Remember that you may be somebody in the office but nobody (a family guy) at home. Finally, you have to make wise and smart choices and set priorities as there isn't anything called a work life balance. 
• Only 20% is known about the other individual before marriage, 80% is to be explored after marriage. Marrying someone who you or your family knows well, increase the % of what is known and the success of your marriage. There is first time for everything! Initial feeling of nervousness gives way to everlasting comfort, security and mutual dependence.
• Suspicion is a nail that cracks the marriage. Trust and respect your partner. 
• Invest and grow your marriage as yields are lifelong and unquantifiable. You valuable friend in the best, worst times and silver years will only be your spouse.   
• Competing and comparing pay check and bonus with your spouse can be detrimental for your happiness and your career! 
• You can replace your job but not your family nor your spouse.
• Sometimes marriages do not work; so it’s okay for both to agree and move forward for the happiness of both partners. 
• Personal indifferences and breakups are devastating for the families and kids; kids carry life-long impressions!