My Friend is Getting Divorced – What Do I Do?

by Cory H. on February 27, 2009

How Do Other's Divorces Hurt You?

Today I found out that a friend of mine is getting a divorce.  I haven’t known him very long, but he’s an exceptionally likable person and very, very intelligent.  He also has children that he loves very much and as long as I’ve known him he has always expressed how much he loves them and how fun they are.  As far as I knew, his marriage was good.

Apparently I was wrong.

When my wife and I got married, we had neighbors across the hall that were married a week after we were.  We were both young couples, still in college, and under a lot of stress.  They started fighting almost immediately and ended up divorced after just a couple of months.

The thing that I found disturbing about these divorces is how insecure they make me.  Seeing other people’s marriages dissolve causes me to realize how fragile relationships really are.

So then I have to ask myself.  How can I make this experience a positive one?  What can I learn in order to improve my own marriage and keep it from ending?

Never Assume.  “If tomorrow never comes, will she know how much I loved her?”  These lyrics to the Garth Brooks song always make me wonder if I’ve done enough.  I think it’s good if I feel secure in my relationship, but I shouldn’t allow myself to become complacent.  Never assume that just because you are happy that she is too.

Talk with Her. When my wife and I were married, we were told over and over again that communication was the key to a strong and happy marriage.  If I’m feeling bad that friends are getting divorced, then I should talk with her about our own relationship and how we are doing.  Find out what her feelings are.  What is she happy with?  What would she like to see change?

Renew My Commitment. When I married my wife, I made a commitment that it would be for ever.  When I hear about someone I know getting a divorce, it makes me want to renew my dedication to my own marriage.  It’s a matter of pride to me that we’ve been able to stay married, and stay happy, for the last 6+ years.

Be Grateful. I’m exceptionally grateful that my wife still loves me.  I’m grateful that she still calls me her best friend, and I’m grateful that we can still make each other laugh and that we always come to each other first whenever something is difficult.

Realize Their Marriage is Not Mine. It’s easy to look at the number of people getting divorced and be discouraged.  In all reality, it doesn’t matter what happens to other people’s relationships if I am taking care of my own.  Even though it makes me feel insecure, in the end it comes down to what we do with our own relationship, not what others do.

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i also have a same problem with one person i know close to my heart also is getting a devorce, what should i do please help me

This issue of divorce is really sad. It's at epidemic levels. Real casualties of divorce are little children who will lose the company of one of the two parents. Unfortunately the propaganda for selfish happiness by the media is so high that the people have completely bought into it. Such extreme individualistic selfish way of life will obviously result in disharmony in the home. Divorce is the natural result of accepting and practising such ideology.

Thank you Cory for putting together some positive steps anyone can take to prevent breakup. It's good advice, I hope many will follow it.

This is all sad; marriage is such a sacred institution but most of us rarely realize that.

At times couples are squabbing over money matters and their relationships affects
a lot because of this. i too was one of the victim to this and i was adviced by one of
my friend to get rid of this and i did ...

i thought the same way as you did a few months back when i and my partner had
some issues on money matters and our relationship seemed like it is gonna sink
and i went into depression and only on one day my friend made me realize how i could overcome my issue with this.
And it worked for me and now, we are a happily living couple.

So sad to hear that! Its always so useless when all the dreams and the private world you create together is lost forever.

There is nothing much you can do really. Let him grieve in his own way.

Some people say that time will heal everything.. and i do believe that.

oh how thoughtful you are... she leaves notes, takes the time to laugh and say I love you ...and you ???? you take the garbage out ..oh my ,Im so underwhelmed... oh yes ,you even try to clean something up ...how wonderful.. you deserve a medal. why dont you try to lighten her load by wiping up after yourself. she'll be so grateful mas she cleans your toilet. maybe you could take the garbage out on a regular basis... may be instead of graciously allowing 30 mins. of chit chat with her[oh noble male] you could give her 10 mins of actually listening to HER. The only time men notice their wives is when the service stops. All men are,or wish they could be the tyrant in their own home. they couldn't care less about any thing she wants, only to placate her so she go on serving the needs of the man you would have all women wear the veil and live out of your sight if given the chance.

You might also consider telling them that you are so very sorry they are going through such an awful experience and that you love them anyway.

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Love your points Cory, especially commitment and gratitude.

I personally like to turn up the volume on gratitude and upgrade it to "Celebration." When I'm grateful and I choose to express my gratitude in celebration, this adds the power of conscious ACTION.

Commitment is so important... to the relationship AND to what you stand for as a man. If you have one foot out the door, you're sunk. And if you don't know what you stand for, well, as they say... you'll fall for anything.

All My Best,
Justice

That's a shame. Marriage is such a sacred thing but people rarely realise that.

I often ask myself the same question. We have had friends go through separations but managed to work it out. I try to listen to my buddies and not give advice. It's really hard to listen and not want to give them some tips. What do I know anyway :) It's also hard to not compare spouses.

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Ouch. I'm sorry to hear that Ken.

Cory --

Right on and a great posting. I just got divorced after 23 years of marriage - I took her and her needs for granted. I was not grateful or thankful for all I had with her. I also assumed that since she was not complaining that all was well when in fact she had given and up on us and was plotting her exist strategy.

Men pay attention before it is too late.

Ken

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