photo credit: Icrontic.com
What does commitment mean to you? Most people would say that it means being sexually faithful to your mate. Couples that are truly committed to each other usually make an agreement to having a sexually exclusive relationship. That commitment is extremely important because cheating, by either partner, breaks that commitment and has a devastating impact on the relationship. Unfaithfulness constitutes a breech of trust and results in devastating sense of betrayal and an emotional disconnection. If a woman suspects that her partner is cheating, she is likely to be extremely fearful that their partner’s exploits could place her at risk of being infected by the other person’s venereal disease. And that’s a legitimate concern since some sexually transmitted diseases can be life threatening.
So, I guess we can agree that honoring you commitment to be sexually faithful to your beloved is fundamental to a mutually successful long-term relationship. Remember that an “emotional affair” where you secretly spend time with a “friend” can be just as devastating as a sexual affair.
While commitment includes sex, there are other promises made by couples as a part of the traditional marriage vows. Those commitments include such things as loving, honoring, respecting, and being committed to each other in good times and bad times–in sickness and in health as well as forsaking all others for as long as you both shall live. It means “being there” for each other in every way possible to contribute to the happiness, success, well-being and fulfillment of each other. Without question, life presents us with unforeseen challenges–various situations that must be faced and overcome. Commitment means that you can be counted on to support each other during those challenging times–that you will provide whatever may be required. It means that you won’t “bail” when times get tough.
Commitment means that you will “go the extra mile” to keep the relationship strong and viable. Committed partners ask the question regularly, “what does our relationship need from me to make things better for the two of us?” You can also ask each other this same question and then make the commitment to give whatever is needed or required.
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Here’s to your relationship success!
Jesse and Melva
