In your marriage, do you crave conversation from your spouse or their physical touch? Is recreational companionship a stronger need for you than domestic support? When you reach out to your husband or wife, are you responding to their need, or what you think is their need? How attuned are you to the differences in male and female perspectives? Questions like these may not occur to a lot of couples, but it doesn’t change the fact that their physical, emotional and spiritual needs are impacting upon their marriage daily.
This was the topic of a workshop held at Waitara on 16th February where 26 married couples ranging from their early twenties to their late sixties gathered to refresh and sharpen their relationship skills.
Titled “Man and Woman in Love”, the workshop was one of a series of follow-up sessions to the Celebrate Love marriage enrichment seminar which has been operating in Sydney since 1992. Like the Celebrate Love seminar, the workshop consisted of presentations by married couples and questions and exercises privately shared between husband and wife.
Commenting on the simplicity and power of the exercises, Francine Pirola, one of the presenters on the night, said that ‘People today will readily undertake courses for work, studies, hobbies and sports, but very often the most important relationship in our lives receives little or no input or reflection. Yet there are tools available that can make a huge difference to our level of marital happiness. Celebrate Love is one opportunity to sharpen those tools.’
That such assistance is appreciated was reiterated by a number of the participants. ‘It’s really important for us to take time out to look at these issues in a safe and supportive environment,’ said one of the wives in the feedback session. ‘It’s a welcome punctuation mark in our busy lives,’ added her husband.
‘Why settle for a good marriage when it can be a fantastic marriage?’ commented another. ‘Many of us are raising teenage children and it’s vital that we communicate to them that marriage is a loving unity. An evening like this gives us skills to strengthen that unity. It’s quite exciting really.’
The next Celebrate Love seminar will be held over two Saturdays in March (16th & 23rd) at South Coogee. For more information, contact Francine & Byron Pirola (02) 9662-7272 or visit www.celebratelove.com.au
Written By: Celebrate Love
