[originaltext]W: Though many people want to have a happy family and marriage, t

W: Though many people want to have a happy family and marriage, the result is far from satisfactory. As an expert on marriage, how do you see it?
M: An author once said "People get so caught up in careers, raising kids and satisfying their own souls, that they forget that their marriage needs to be fed too."
W: Could you give us some advice on how to improve our marital relationship?
M: The first piece of advice from me is to be your spouse’s biggest fan.
W: What do you ’mean by that?
M: Let me give you an example. At a dinner party, a man said, "My wife has a great eye for color. She’s so artistic." The women at the table glanced enviously at his wife, who was beaming at the unexpected praise. Words of praise are so important. Unfortunately, most of us are more likely to criticize our spouse in public.
W: What is the second piece of advice?
M: Spend some time apart.
W: You mean that time apart can actually bring you closer together?
M: Yes. When a hairdresser expressed an interest in cycling, his wife didn’t complain. Instead, she agreed to mind the children for three hours every other Saturday morning so he could join a local bike club. Within a few months the hairdresser was fitter, happier and a lot more pleasant to be around. "I may not be out there riding with him," his wife says, "but I’m definitely reaping the benefits."
W: What is your third piece of advice?
M: You should try to address the needs of your spouse.
W: In marriage there should be pleasing of each other.
M: Sure. 1 have come across a couple. They told me this. Having heard her husband complain about all the toys spreading across their home, the wife bought some shelves and did some sorting and organizing. When the husband came home, he was very happy.
W: Thank you for your advice.
M: My pleasure.