Words of wisdom for newlyweds

Our daughter is getting married. As I reviewed mother-of-bride wedding speech instructions and thought about what wisdom I wish to impart, countless ideas flashed through my mind.

I thought the following were worth sharing.

Words of wisdom for newlyweds:

• According to Dr Harville Hendrix and Dr Helen Hunt’s Imago Relationship Therapy, we attract into our lives people who are a compilation of the best and worst characteristics of our primary caregivers. By age seven, we have an image of the person who will complete us. Initially, when we find the “right person”, we see only the positives. But over time, the negatives come up to trigger us to address unresolved emotional issues. It is easy to want to bail and to find someone new at this point. But the pattern will repeat itself unless we do the work to heal our wounds.

• Become the person you wish to attract. Love and respect yourself first, and you will attract relationships that reflect that back, facilitating your ability to focus on having an impact - living a meaningful life.

• Count your blessings, not your grievances. Make it part of your daily routine.

• Remember, according to Jim Rohn, we are the average of the five people we hang with most. Choose wisely.

• If we believe that we create our reality and that every challenge creates an opportunity for growth, it is easy to let go of victim stories, the need to blame or gossip.

• Children are our best teachers. They challenge us to become selfless, and they reflect our weaknesses. Nature knows best when to deliver them.

• Mark Twain once said, “Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.” Don’t go to bed angry. Sleep is a time to heal.

Somehow I feel compelled to add one last minute piece of advice. Having not spent much time in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) over the last year, and having had a bit of a news fast, I was surprised by lawn signs stating "There is no place for hate here." Completely agree. But I couldn't help but focus on the fact that there must be "hate" here.

Mother Teresa once said, "I will never attend an anti-war rally; if you have a peace rally, invite me." Perhaps a more effective sign would read, "Unconditional love lives here."