Once the honeymoon stage is over the real work begins in a marriage. It's easy for a young bride and groom to become starry eyed over the prospect of living happily ever after. However, when real life kicks in and there are things like bills, kids and health issues to tend with, the road ahead doesn't always seem as rosy anymore. If you are currently struggling in your marriage you might wonder if the only solution is a divorce. It's not. If you still deeply love your spouse, the relationship is salvageable. You must be prepared for some hard work if you want to save your marriage at all costs.

If you want to save your marriage at all costs you must start with forgiveness. If your marriage troubles have originated with something hurtful that your spouse did, you have to learn how to forgive them. If you were the one who did something to your spouse, it's up to you to ask for forgiveness. Whenever there's an issue hanging over your marriage and it's not dealt with, resentment will brew from it. This type of resentment can eat at the core of the relationship until it is no longer existent. Almost every transgression can be forgiven. You just have to decide that your marriage is worth the effort.

Communication is essential for any successful relationship. Quite often when we are married for any length of time outside forces can get in the way of communication. Both partners may be under stress from work, the children may require a lot of attention or the couple simply doesn't have the time to sit down and talk. You need to make time to communicate if you want to save your marriage at all costs. If you feel as though your spouse already has one foot out of the door and they are considering divorce, arrange times for the two of you to talk. Don't make it a formal thing. Simply suggest the two of you go out for dinner, where you will have some uninterrupted time together. It's amazing how a person will open up if you give them the opportunity to do so.

Respect sometimes gets lost in the shuffle of everyday life. Many spouses start to take one another for granted. If you want to save your marriage at all costs you must show your partner the respect they deserve. When a person feels as though their spouse is being disrespectful it can change their feelings. They will feel withdrawn and distant. Demonstrate that you respect your spouse and they'll recognize your effort. In addition, be considerate. Do all you can to make his or her life easier and less stressful. This can help create a much more positive dynamic in your marriage.