How I Built Mental Fortitude: A Path to Stronger Relationships and Personal Growth
Good Wednesday morning, Icons,
We are back with another newsletter for you as part of our Iconic Formula E-Series.
If you can, share this with the hashtag #IconicFormula on all social media platforms, and give us a shoutout if you can.
We need your help with growing our audience and spreading our message.
If you like what we do, feel free to leave a comment below.
How I Built Mental Fortitude: A Path to Stronger Relationships and Personal Growth
We must prepare ourselves after we have the mindset for marriage. That is to secure our minds for the journey ahead. Marriage is made up of years of dedication, resilience, finances and love. We can withstand whatever comes out way, but we must be willing and able to do that work.
I have two kids, and both of my pregnancies were hard. One almost killed me because the amniotic fluids were low and the military docs inexperience, the other I had to be rushed into an emergency c-section due to preeclampsia. My husband almost lost me and one of our kids each time. We both had to have the fortitude to survive emergency situations through love, patience, knowledge and protection.
You have to develop these mindful skills to transform your marriage throughout your time here.
Developing mental fortitude is a journey that involves several key practices:
Self-awareness: Regularly reflect on your thoughts and emotions to understand your triggers and responses. Journaling can be a helpful tool for this.
Mindfulness and Meditation: These practices help you stay present and manage stress, enhancing your ability to remain calm under pressure.
Positive Thinking: Cultivate a habit of positive self-talk and focus on solutions rather than problems. This shift in mindset can build resilience.
Healthy Lifestyle: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep are crucial for maintaining mental and physical health.
Setting Goals: Break down your goals into manageable steps and celebrate small victories along the way. This builds confidence and perseverance.
Learning from Failure: View setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than as defeats. Each challenge can teach valuable lessons.
Support System: Surround yourself with supportive and positive people who encourage and uplift you.
By integrating these practices into your daily life, you can strengthen your mental fortitude, which will benefit not only your personal well-being but also your relationships and professional endeavors.
Chapter 2: The Iconic Formula for Marriage Success
Today's newsletter offers a glimpse into "How to Cultivate the Mindset for Marriage Success," featured in our forthcoming book, "The Iconic Formula for Marriage Success."
Delve into the initial chapter of our sixth book and discover how your mindset can determine the success or failure of your marriage. "The Iconic Formula" is designed with you in mind.
Gain access to this chapter and the preface today by upgrading to an Iconic+ Premium subscription below.
How does mental fortitude actually benefit married couples?
I obviously prepared my mind for war as a soldier, but nothing really could prepare me for the birth of our son. We went to the classes, talking to our parents, and read all the books. But the pain, the tests of our love, and our resolve showed for that day as our son was coming late and was stuck a bit on the way out of me. I had never given birth before, so I had to push through, and I was scared.
My mind was focus on the love I had for this boy, my husband and our little family. Mental fortitude takes you overcome any task in front of you. But what does that look like inside a marriage?
Here are some examples of how mental fortitude can positively impact marriages:
Conflict Resolution: Mental fortitude helps couples manage conflicts calmly and constructively. Instead of reacting impulsively, they can approach disagreements with patience and a focus on finding solutions1. This reduces the likelihood of escalating arguments and fosters a more harmonious relationship. You are able to handle criticism, take in solutions and construction future plans without your ego and feelings clouding your mind. You are mentally tough to accept you aren’t always right and yet you can help fix what is happening.
Emotional Support: When one partner is going through a tough time, mental fortitude allows the other to provide unwavering support. This strength helps them remain empathetic and patient, offering a stable presence that can be incredibly comforting during difficult periods2. You are able to be that rock. My husband didn’t fully get what my body had to do to birth our kids. During our daughter, I was in pain myself and was being rushed in for emergency surgery where they pushed him outside of the room. He had to keep calm and know that me and our baby would be okay.
Adaptability: Life is full of unexpected changes and challenges. Mentally strong couples are better equipped to adapt to these changes together, whether it’s a job loss, a move, or health issues. Their resilience helps them navigate these transitions without letting stress damage their relationship3. My husband took me to my grandmother’s funeral. He didn’t know everyone there and it was a sad day. He was able to help my parents, help me and be there as a support even as the situation was not about him. He adapted to the sudden loss in our family showing he belonged, too.
Maintaining Positivity: Mental fortitude involves focusing on the positives and practicing gratitude, even in less-than-ideal situations. This positive outlook can help couples appreciate each other more and maintain a loving connection, even when facing adversity2. We were stuck on a remote highway coming back from my brother’s house and we could not see a gas station for miles. I was starting to lose faith that we would make it and would need roadside assistance. The road was creepy, we had our son, and I was wondering when we’d see signs of a city, town or shopping area. My husband said we would make it and to continue to have faith. He was right. We made it and the gas station was right where the GPS said it would be.
Long-term Commitment: Building a life together requires a long-term perspective. Mental fortitude helps couples stay committed to their goals and dreams, working together to overcome obstacles and celebrate achievements. This shared resilience strengthens their bond and ensures they grow together over time3. We have known each other since 2006 and always talk about our future. We discussed kids and grandkids, planning to leave an inheritance for them, doing things a bit different than generations before us. We are committed to being together and that is even where the title for my fourth book, “Don’t Give Up” came from. Our determination not to divorce, to buy land to pass on and to raise our kids in our own way, shows that we plan to do life together for a long time.
By cultivating mental fortitude, couples can create a strong foundation for their marriage, enabling them to face challenges with grace and emerge even stronger. It is so important that we placed this as our second chapter in our upcoming book. Make sure you get on the preorder list and share this post with others so they can get this information, too.
🌟 Become a Sponsor on Iconic - Where Families Flourish 🌟
Call to Action: Do you want to give on a regular basis? Join us at Iconic, the premier destination for inspiring marriage and family content. Our platform celebrates the joy of family life, offering a space where positive stories and advice thrive. We invite you to be a part of our journey by choosing one of our exclusive sponsorship packages to subscribe monthly or yearly as a regular donor:
🌱 Seed Sponsor - $25 a month
Preorders to our new eBooks.
A shoutout in our daily newsletter.
🌼 Blossom Sponsor - $50 a month
All benefits of the Seed Sponsor.
A featured spot in one of our weekly premium articles.
Social media mention across all platforms.
🌳 Evergreen Sponsor - $150 a month
All benefits of the Blossom Sponsor and Seed.
Your logo displayed prominently on our homepage.
An exclusive sponsored post tailored to your brand in our podcast show.
Priority placement in our sponsorship lists for new products and/or services.
By sponsoring Iconic, you align your brand with values of love, commitment, and family unity. Let’s nurture these values together and watch our communities grow.
Are you interested in becoming a sponsor? Donate below and get started.
Our Iconic Sponsors: Spotlight
We extend a heartfelt blessing to our Icon sponsors for their monthly contributions and donations to our iconic endeavors. Their support enables us to provide free online newsletters from Monday to Friday, develop new digital products, and distribute free books to the public each month via Twitter.
Subscribe today to their newsletters and purchase/preorder their newest books.
Coach Felecia Killings of The Felecia Killings Foundation | Empowering rising leaders with advanced spiritual and practical training that help them manifest their God-given purpose in the social, political, and economic spheres. Sign up for Coaching and Leadership Services today.
Greg Bulla of From Where I Stand Substack | Looking at the lessons to be learned from authentic American history and how they can build better communities of individuals. Order your copy of For Their Own Good? today.
Sponsors We Say Thank You!
Jimmie Doss
Richard Garner
Greg Bulla
Felecia Killings
Michelle Murphy
Maddie
Tye
Marquez
Matthew
Michelle Harris
Laura Greenwell