We've all seen couples go through messy divorces, and we've probably all wondered if something could not have been some sort of earlier prevention. Are you facing a possible divorce? Do you wonder: How can I save my marriage?

Often we hear of couples going into counseling. Why? Because counseling allows someone to mediate when couples are dealing with sensitive issues. But for couples that want to save their marriage, this is a great beginning, and it proves divorce is not the only solution.

Other things couples need to do, beside counseling, are really quite simple. Here are four things to consider that will improve your odds of success for those that want to save their marriage.

Two people living together will always have differences. Perfect marriages only exist in romance novels and myths.

For the marriage to succeed, the couple must learn to deal with the rough patches and overcome their problems. Seeking perfection will only destroy everything. People make mistakes, work with your partner and overcome the problems you face, and you'll realize it is possible to "save my marriage."

Second, good communication is vital, for when the communication is insufficient; the marriage is doomed to face problems. The most vital thing is to be honest with your partner. Just about every issue and problem can be solved if communication is maintained. The third tip is to accept compromise. Many have made this an art, with good reason.

The middle ground that will enable a conclusion to the conflict has to mesh with both parties and their interests before it can "save my marriage." Marriage on a whole is about compromise and knowing that there are times when your spouse will have to give and times when you have to give in order to "save my marriage."

Just because something breaks, don't throw it away. Fix it. Fixing things takes effort, but in the end, it is better than abandonment. That is certainly true of marriage. When both parties have a save my marriage point of view, both will want fix things that break, even if it takes effort. Walking away takes no effort, but has no reward.

Sometimes, the damage to the marriage totals it, and no matter what you do, nothing can change it. Some issues cannot be solved, counseling cannot help. It is in these cases that divorce makes sense. Out side of these cases, divorce is not the answer. Instead, you should work with your partner to solve the issues that plague your marriage, and hopefully you will be able to say that you can "save my marriage.