"Marriage does not make a man or a woman happy; it only intensifies what they already are. Happiness comes from within, not from without." — Annie Payson Call, The Freedom of Life (1905)
Before discovering New Thought and the teachings of the Center for Spiritual Living, I had been in several toxic relationships. Looking back, I realize that much of the unhappiness I experienced was a result of the way I approached love and marriage. I didn’t understand how much my thoughts, beliefs, and actions shaped my reality.
It wasn’t until I began to live by the principles of New Thought that everything started to shift. Today I am very happily married to my best friend, and I credit that to what I have learned from Center for Spiritual Living, and by studying classic and modern New Thought literature.
New Thought principles have offered me a guide for creating a balanced and spiritually aligned marriage. I want to share how I have applied these teachings to my relationship to create a happy and fulfilling life with my husband.
Applying New Thought Teachings to Marriage:
The Power of Thought and Intentions
Our thoughts shape our reality. In marriage, this means how we think about our spouse and our relationship directly affects its quality. When we choose to focus on love, understanding, and compassion, we naturally cultivate a nurturing environment. Setting positive intentions for our relationship, whether it is for better communication or deeper trust, consciously invites those things into our marriage.I’ve learned to stay mindful of my thoughts about my partner. When I consciously choose to appreciate and express gratitude for him, the energy between us is positive and loving. Instead of dwelling on small irritations, I focus on the love we share and all the ways he makes my life better, attracting more love and things to appreciate.
Personal Responsibility
New Thought teaches us to take responsibility for our thoughts, emotions, and actions. This can be applied to marriage, where it’s easy to fall into the habit of blaming our partner for our frustrations. When we take personal responsibility, we acknowledge our role in the relationship’s dynamics and seek to align ourselves with the experience we want.In my past relationships, I honestly believed it was my partner’s job to make me happy. It wasn’t until I took responsibility for my own happiness that I was able to truly find it. When both partners commit to self-care, they can grow together and experience life in a fuller way.
Creative Visualization and Affirmations
Creative visualization and affirmations are tools to manifest what we desire. In marriage, this means intentionally visualizing the relationship you want to create and affirming positive truths about it. Visualizing a harmonious and loving partnership sets that energy in motion and affirmations help reinforce the qualities you wish to cultivate.I’ve found that repeating affirmations such as "We communicate with love and clarity" and “I am grateful for all my husband and all he does for me” has made a noticeable difference in my marriage. It helps direct my thoughts and strengthens our connection. By consistently affirming the positive aspects of our marriage, we focus on what we want to grow, not what we want to avoid.
Unity and Oneness
New Thought teaches that we are all connected and part of a greater whole. In marriage, this principle reminds us that our partner is not separate from us, but rather a reflection of the same Spirit that flows through all things. Understanding this creates a deep connection and sense of spiritual unity.Embracing the idea of unity and oneness has helped me view my partner as my spiritual companion on my life journey. This shift has allowed us to move through challenges with more patience, love, and the understanding that each of us is expressing Spirit in the way we are meant to at every moment.
Living in the Present Moment
One of New Thought’s teachings is the importance of living in the present moment. In marriage, this means letting go of past hurts and not worrying about the future but being fully present with your partner in the here and now. When we engage with each other mindfully, we listen better, understand more deeply, and connect on a deeper level.I used to dwell on things that had happened in the past or worry about the future, which led to negative feelings about things that were over or may not ever happen. When I learned to be present and grateful with my husband, I began to experience more joy and ease.
Divine Love
Divine love is ever-present and unconditional. In marriage, this principle guides us to offer our partner the same kind of love, one that is forgiving, understanding, and kind. We should always invite the quality of Spirit that is pure love to work through us, but this is especially important in marriage.I know that while we are connected, my husband is also in individual expression of Spirit and is expressing in whatever way is right for him at the moment. Knowing this, I accept and support him for who he is and where he is on his personal path, even if it does not always play out in the way my own ego tells me it should.
Co-creating a Shared Vision
New Thought teaches the power of co-creation with Spirit, and this should be applied in marriage. A thriving relationship is one where both partners work together to build a life based on shared values, goals, and dreams. By aligning our intentions, we can co-create a beautiful, fulfilling future together.In my marriage, we’ve created a vision of the life we want to build. One that is grounded in love, respect, and mutual support. By regularly discussing our goals and dreams and focusing together on what we want, we stay aligned, and our relationship becomes a powerful partnership of co-creating.
Looking back at the relationships I had before discovering New Thought principles; I see the part I played in their toxicity with a negative mindset and false and limiting beliefs. It wasn’t until I embraced these teachings that I found fulfillment, both personally and in my relationships. Today, my marriage thrives, and I am extremely grateful for the blessings New Thought has brought into my life.
If these principles resonate with you, I invite you to explore how they can bring more love, harmony, and joy to your own relationship. Start by reflecting on one principle that speaks to you the most and take a small, intentional step toward incorporating it into your daily life.
I’d love to hear how these ideas impact your marriage or relationships! Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments below, or reach out to me directly—I’m here to support you on your journey. And if you’d like to learn more about living a spiritually aligned life, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter for more insights, tips, and inspiration.