We like to
think that each of us controls everything we do, yet the more scientists learn
about human behavior, the clearer it becomes that what we actually control is a
lot less than we think. One specific fact is striking – about 40% of what we
do, we don’t even think about. It is basically done by force of habit, almost
automatically. This is one of the reasons change is so difficult. In fact,
scientists tell us that changing a habit, or forming a new habit, often
involves an actual “rewiring” of neurons in our brains.
Now, of
course, not all habits are difficult to adopt. In fact, some habits I could get
you to adopt in no time. Say, for instance, I suggested that you eat a
handcrafted Belgian chocolate bar every day. I can get you to adopt that habit
really quickly. Good luck; you can thank me later. On the other hand, if the
habit you are trying to form is more challenging, like exercising, eating
right, sleeping enough, it will probably take a little longer to help you with
that. And really at the end of the day, it is only you who can help yourself,
and only if you keep working at it, probably forever.
Now, the
interesting thing about a long-term marriage, is that it involves each person
changing and adopting new habits to suit this new arrangement, where two become
one. This is the part usually left out of romantic comedies in Hollywood on the one hand, and fairy tales on
the other hand. These genres make you
think that marriage is all Belgian chocolate. However, the truth about marriage
is that it is part Belgian chocolate, and part exercise and eating right, if
you will indulge my metaphor. It is part pure bliss and part hard work. And
this can vary by time and vary by place and vary by situation. To complicate
things more, sometimes it feels like Belgian chocolate to you and not so much
to your partner and sometimes vice versa.
The really
cool thing about Ashley and Bobby is that both of them live this idea in their
lives as individuals and as a couple. They do it quietly and without fan fair,
but you know that they really get this profound idea. This is what Ashley means
when she says that Bobby's personality is the perfect complement to hers. This
is what is at the core of her statement that they are soul mates building
something together. This is what Bobby means when he talks about the
development of their relationship: "The more we spent time together, the
more we found out how much we cared about each other. Eventual care became love
and we began discussing the future. We spent a lot of time talking about timing
and what we expected to find in a life partner."