This recently released movie starring Helen Mirren and producers by Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey has stirred my writing of this blog. The very next day after seeing this movie I was scheduled to see members of a multiracial couple. Among the thousands of couples that I have worked with ,I work with many couples who are going to, or have married a partner,from a different back round. I always explain to them that whether they realize it or not, they are choosing to expand their consciousness as a person. When someone isn’t just like us, thinks just like us, behaves just like us, we are called to consider a different perspective, a different point of view. If this marriage or committed relationship is going to flourish, compromise, understanding , valuing and including their partner’s point of view is essential.

This actually is true for all couples. No two families of origin are exactly alike. Each family has its own particular culture. Two blacks, Whites, Asians, East Indians, Muslims, Jews and any other culture all came from a particular family style, wealth, education, interaction, traditions and all else that makes up their family life. Put two people together who didn’t grow up in the same household and there will be different needs and desires. The magic is in the negotiating and working out of the partnership.

My husband and I came from two different cultures and we will be married 42 years the end of this August. I know our marriage was designed so that my husband and I would learn true partnership and thus be able to teach it. My book ,”Creating Love For A Lifetime” is full of these experiences leading to partnership along with the experiences of 27 other couples doing the same thing. I am not saying that it was always easy. Who doesn’t enjoy having things their way? Partnership is sweeter though.

I urge you and your spouse to celebrate your differences, similarities and all that you will teach each other and teach your children.