The best indicator of a successful marriage is empathy, the ability to put yourself in the others place even when you may not agree. The ability to respect your partner’s feelings even if they differ from your own is the gift of empathy. Feelings may not be based on reason but rather on emotions, which are not always ruled by rational thinking and yet very real to the person feeling them.

Sharing the same values is also a major factor in a successful marriage. Although you may differ on specifics if you share the same moral, social and family value system those shared core beliefs may help you stand by each other and work through those difficult times.

Couples assume they are forever going to be together but statistics show otherwise, so good intentions are not enough to keep a marriage on track. Couples should ask themselves often, are we growing together as a couple or further apart? Are you willing to seek professional help at any point in your marriage when you are feeling troubled? Leaving things unsaid can build up until a loving relationship becomes so broken that you may not find the way back to each other.