I was thinking about how much Walter and I enjoy each other even though we are worlds apart on some subjects. He is so conservative he squeaks — feels it is his duty to change you if you are not conservative! I am conservative as well, but with an open mind to listen to other people’s opinions without trying to change them. I figure that’s God’s job, not mine.

Well, Walter loves animals. He has four cats and a dog and would have all of them in the house if it were not for me. I like animals — but I like them outside. I figure their purpose in life is to keep rodents, snakes and wild animals away from my yard. I’ll feed them, toss a ball for the dog and pet the cats occasionally — outside!

I know a few couples that stay in a riff about such differences of opinion. But for true soulmates — it is just not that important! Walter and I have never even discussed whether or not the animals should be in the house or outside — it just evolved as a natural way of living for us. Without my saying a word, he sensed my feelings and decided to please me. Would I be upset if he brought the animals in? Maybe. I would work at not being upset, though, because if he pushed that issue I would know it was very important to him. That’s what soulmates do for each other — they work at pleasing the other person because that is how they achieve their own pleasure.

I guess what I’m saying with my rambling is don’t sweat the small stuff. Whether its politics or dogs and cats (hmmmmm — might that be the same thing?) — adapt a peaceful, giving, loving attitude and be happy!

Here’s a great article about overcoming differences in marriage. Check it out!

I read an interesting article on Webmd.com that says, “Cultivating your own happiness could make your spouse happier, too.” They base this statement on research done in the U.K. that proves scientifically happiness is contagious between married couples. Check out the article for yourself — very interesting reading.

Is your spouse happy? Maybe he or she is looking in a mirror! So, put a smile on your face and a song in your heart — you are contagious!

I recently discovered a good book on the subject of happiness in marriage. I highly recommend it! You can buy it from Amazon.com or at your local bookstore. Look for Thriving Marriages: An Inspirational and Practical Guide to Lasting Happiness by John and Claire Yzaquirre, a husband and wife team who have very deep and wonderful insights into what it takes to develop a strong and lasting marriage.

Do you think true soulmates think alike, act alike and have the same interests? Think again. My husband and I are true soulmates, but we are very different in many respects. For example, I dislike anything to do with politics; he loves it. He exercises every day; I seldom do. He loves to fly his own airplane; I like to stay on the ground. He likes very spicy food from all over the world; I like American food — and the list goes on.

But spirit to spirit we have many things in common. We both love solitude, peace and quietness. We cherish freedom and the privilege of living in America. We love to go to church and worship. We are avid readers (though our reading material is poles apart!); We both love music; We both love to go shopping; he loves to cook and I love his cooking — and, again, the list goes on.

So, stop looking for that man or woman who is interested in everything you are interested in! Enjoy the challenge of meeting and loving someone entirely different. Who knows? You might find your soulmate! I did.

What makes two people compatible? By definition the word means “able to exist and perform in harmonious or agreeable combination” as well as “having similar disposition and tastes.”

I think compatibility has to do with accepting one another, quirks and all. Acceptance means you stop trying to change your mate and enjoy his or her uniqueness. You might not always think alike or want to do the same things — but if you work at it you can still maintain harmony in your relationship — because you care for each other.

So, how about you? Are you compatible with your mate? I came across a fun compatibility test the other day at http://www.drstansbury.com/marriage.htm — check it out!

How did you know you had found your soulmate? a friend asked me.

I didn’t, I replied. Didn’t even think about it. We just clicked. It was like two pieces of a puzzle being placed in the right position in a big picture.

This morning as my husband makes a pot of coffee and brings me a cup I smile, remembering how we met. I wasn’t looking for him. I honestly didn’t want a man in my life because of a bad experience in my previous marriage. But he had prayed and asked God to send him a good woman and he was expecting that to happen. When he met me he knew I was the one. God saw the big picture. He saw us — the two pieces of that picture that fit so uniquely together — and brought us together. Not fate. It was divine providence — a gift from God to a wonderful man who asked for something special.

I can’t really tell you how you will know when that special person comes into your life. You’ll just know — especially if you’ve been praying and asking God for him (or her).

Have you found your soulmate? How did you know?