You Can Be In Love for Life

It has always been the fantasy. To meet the man or woman of your dreams and to live blissfully together until death do you part. Problem is that half of all marriages end in divorce. And yes, I know that according to some, this particular statistic isn't all that accurate, but the truth is that breaking up is, at best, a painful process, and most of us have had more experience with it than we care to remember.It has been known for a very long time that those in healthy marriages or long-term relationships have lower mortality rates and better immune systems, and now scientists are attributing lower stress levels to those fortunate enough to be in loving committed relationships. So who wouldn't want love with benefits like a longer life and soul-warming affection?Well, once you've had a bad...

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Do's and Don'ts When Communicating with Your Workaholic Partner

Ellen's husband is a workaholic. Before their relationship became serious, she often admired how goal-oriented and driven he was. As their commitment to one another grew stronger and they eventually married, what Ellen previously saw as a character strength turned into something annoying and hurtful. After almost two decades of marriage, Ellen has grown used to being very flexible. Changing plans at the last minute and making apologies to others for her husband's absence has become commonplace. She appreciates the abundant salary that her husband brings in and she is happy that he enjoys his work. Ellen only wishes that her husband was as intense and focused on their marriage as he is on his career. She feels lonely and resentful more often than she likes to admit. In these days where businesses...

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Can You Truly "Be Friends" With Your Ex?

When a couple ends their love relationship or marriage, in the majority of cases, both people want it to be an amicable break up.  Quite often, the two will promise to be "friends" as they make the transition to single life. We're completely in support of there being as much respect and kindness as possible during and after a relationship break up.  However, many times the desire to stay friends and maintain a strong friendship with one's ex causes all kinds of problems. While it is absolutely possible to be friends-- even good friends-- with your ex, this needs to happen with a lot of clarity, honesty and consciousness. Take Jim and Candace for example... When Jim and Candace got divorced, they were so intent on making the changes easy for their kids, they pledged to be friends...

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Create Agreements that Will Make Life with Your Woman Easier...and Sexier Too!

 Stephen is trying to be patient with his wife, but it's been tough lately. It seems like sarcasm, snide comments and full-blown arguments are happening more and more frequently.  The tension that's coming between Stephen and his wife revolves around money issues. A couple of years ago, Stephen started his own business. He is really enjoying the challenge and has had some successes along the way, but the business is still not solid and profitable yet. Stephen is convinced that, given a little more time, his business will be highly lucrative for him and his family too. His wife is not so sure. She is stressed out most of the time and pours over the numbers for the household and his business everyday. She wants him to look for what she calls a "real job." They can't seem to find...

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How to Communicate with Your Mate About the Tough Stuff: Jealousy

Joe's wife, Kristi, has a jealousy problem and he's had enough. It seems that every single day there is new drama in their marriage...generated by her. It's often the same turn of events. Joe comes home a little late because he's been tied up at work or maybe he needs a little time to unwind after a long day, so he stops for a drink with a co-worker. Then, when Joe does arrive home, it seems like he's always greeted with accusations and interrogations. Joe wants to know how to talk with Kristi about her jealousy before it's too late for their marriage. When it comes to jealousy, talking with your partner in a way that doesn't tear you further apart can be really tricky. It may be obvious to you that your mate has a problem. The number of times that he or she has flown off the handle and...

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Stop Putting Your Needs Last in Your Love Relationship

Does it ever seem like you have to choose between making yourself happy and making your partner happy in your relationship? It might appear to you as if either you or your mate can have your needs met-- but not both of you at the same time. You might reason to yourself that this is just "compromise" or that this is what relationships are all about. We simply don't agree. In the majority of situations, there is a way for both you and your mate to feel satisfied about a resolution to a particular conflict or disagreement. It is absolutely possible for you AND your partner to feel like your needs are being met-- even if they are different needs. You may have developed a habit of putting what you want on the back burner in life. This tendency might come from your desire to please your mate...

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Is it Possible to "Agree to Disagree" with Your Partner and Stay Connected?

We've all been there. You and someone you care deeply about just don't see eye to eye about a particular issue. You may debate with one another and even argue in favor of your perspective, but to no avail. You and this special someone in your life finally decide to "agree to disagree" about this topic. It's usually far easier to "agree to disagree" with an extended family member, a friend or a co-worker. After all, quite often you don't live with these people and there is some amount of distance between you that makes this kind of a pseudo-resolution work. But when you and your partner in a love relationship or marriage have reached the point that neither of you is willing to budge and the only thing you can do is "agree to disagree," disconnection can result. While it's true you cannot...

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When Your Partner Wants "More" and You're Not Sure

Let's say that you have been dating a particular person for a period of time and the relationship has been fun, interesting, passionate and overall quite enjoyable. But now your partner wants more. He or she has commented to you that it's time to take your relationship to the "next level." Frankly, this suggestion strikes fear and torment in you! You really care about your partner-- you might even love him or her-- but you don't want to make a change or go to any "next level." This dynamic can result in a lot of confusion, misunderstanding, hurt feelings and distance. You might see your partner as ruining a good thing by asking for more. Your partner may feel like you are dragging your feet and resisting a deeper commitment. It might seem that the two of you are very far apart when it...

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Can You Truly Just "Have Fun"?

It's the classic dating situation: Two people meet. They are attracted to one another and begin to spend time together. The continue to spend time together and become intimate. One person makes it clear that he or she just wants to "have fun" and does not want a relationship or to get serious. As time passes, however, confusion, disagreement and possible pain about this "non-relationship" grows. So, is it possible to just "have fun" together? Of course it is. When two people have an agreement that they are both wanting to be casual about their interactions with one another, it can be fun and enjoyable. This, however, is not a committed relationship. We certainly hope that there is fun and enjoyment in love relationships and marriages, but there are also other elements that the casual...

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The Hazards of Breakup Guilt

Jenny feels miserable. She is having a difficult time sleeping, cries easily and feels mostly like hiding away in her apartment.  This all began after her breakup with her long-term boyfriend. It's all a big surprise to Jenny because breaking up was her idea.  She's the one who told him that their relationship was over. She's the one who packed up, moved out and started a new life...or, at least, is trying to. If you are the one who broke up with or filed for divorce from your partner, you might be just as shocked as Jenny about how you feel. Yes, you could be relieved that you are finally free of the angst, drama and emotional pain that possibly was present in your former relationship. You may be certain that breaking up was the best choice to make and yet... You might also...

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3 Tips for Re-Connecting After Jealousy Gets in the Way

Have you ever said or done something in the heat of jealousy and then uttered these words..."I can't believe I just did that!"If so, you are not alone.The fear, worry and anger of jealousy can become so inflamed that it appears to take over your better senses. You might end up feeling mostly regret for what you just did.Even if you don't feel regret about your jealousy-motivated actions or words (because sometimes they seem perfectly justified), it may become clear to you that it is getting in the way. Jealousy is getting in the way of you and your partner having the kind of connection that you'd like. Jealousy is getting in the way of the kind of communication you want to have with your mate. Jealousy is getting in the way of the confident and assured manner that you'd like for yourself.When...

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3 Things to Say When Your Man is Staring at Other Women

Jessica is furious. She and her boyfriend, Todd, are out having dinner together at their favorite restaurant. Yet, again, Jessica notices that Todd is starting at every attractive woman that passes by their table. This is a busy, trendy restaurant, so that's a lot! From her perspective, Todd isn't even trying to hide the fact that he's checking out other women. When he craned his neck to watch the backside of a good-looking woman walk by, Jessica can't take it any longer. She throws her drink in his face, grabs her purse and storms out of the restaurant. When Todd calls Jessica later that night, he is angry. He tells her that she's making a "big deal out of nothing."  As usual, Todd reminds her that he's never cheated on her and that looking at other women is completely harmless. If...

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How to Say "No" to Your Jealous Partner

Andy is sick and tired of coming home after a hard day at the office to his wife, Caroline's, incessant questions. Almost as soon as he enters their house, her probing inquiries begin. "Who did you meet with today?" "I don't know her. Is she someone you see often?" "Where did you go for lunch this afternoon?" "Did you eat alone?" "When did you have lunch?" "Why didn't you e-mail or text me to check in?" After Andy attempts to answer Caroline's questions, he feels annoyed and defensive. Andy knows that Caroline had a painful past before they began dating. She has a lot from her childhood to deal with as well as a couple of bad relationships before they met. At the same time, Andy is worn out and, frankly, done being patient with Caroline's daily interrogations that are fueled by her jealousy....

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Advice to Help You (Finally) Find Your "Mr. or Ms. Right"

Dana never thought she'd still be single when she was in her mid- 30s. She always figured that, by that time of life, she'd be settled into a great relationship and maybe even married with kids. This is not what's happened. Although Dana has been in a few serious love relationships, they've always gone sour at a certain point. These have always reached a place in which Dana could see that this guy was not her "Mr. Right"-- from there, the breakup seemed inevitable. Now Dana is getting serious. She doesn't want to spend her life alone, or in a string of casual romantic trysts. She has informed her friends that she is making finding her perfect match her top priority. If you are on the look-out for your "Mr. Right" or "Ms. Right," you might feel similarly. You may feel ready to finally find...

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Passionate Heart Relationship Mini-Course‏ - DAY 5 FINAL

What it takes to succeed in creating a great relationship is...The commitment to not run away and hide when things get tough.One of the things we learned very early in our relationship was thatwe each had a tendency in our previous relationships to shut downemotionally and even physically run away when things got tough.  Because we recognized that this pattern can create big problems inrelationships, we made the commitment to each other that we would notmake the same mistake in our relationship.We committed that we would stay present with each other and not runaway, either emotionally or physically.  Sounds like a greatcommitment but we've discovered that it can be a challenge to keep.What we are sure of is that this principle of not running away hasmade our relationship stronger,...

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7 RIDICULOUS LAWS AGAINST WOMEN

1. In Maryland, a woman cannot go through her husband’s pockets while he is sleeping. Not even if she really wants a piece of gum. 2. In Vermont, a woman must obtain written permission from her husband if she wishes to wear false teeth. Because women really lead with their teeth in wanton, uncontrolled sexuality. 3. In Tucson, Arizona, women are not allowed to wear pants. No word on the stance on booty shorts or thongs. 4. In Carrizozo, New Mexico, it is illegal for a woman to appear unshaven in public. Rejoice, razor industry, rejoice! 5. In Dyersburg, Tennessee, it is illegal for a woman to call a man on a date. I don’t want to live in a world where equal-opportunity drunk dialing isn’t free to all. 6. In Carmel, New York,...

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Passionate Heart Relationship Mini Course‏ - DAY 4

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons that people fail in relationshipsis...They aren't clear about what they want, what's important to them andtheir lives aren't in alignment with their values.Before you can tell others what you want, you have to know what isimportant to you.  We've discovered that many relationships that arein trouble are in the shape they are in because one or both peopleeither don't know what's important to them or their actions aren't inalignment with their values.We'll explain what we mean...Many people say they want a great relationship but they spend themajority of their time at work or attending social and communitygroups, leaving very little if any time to connect with theirpartner.We suggest that you be very clear inside yourself how you want tolive your life...

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10 fun and wallet-friendly date ideas

Tired of the boring dinner and a movie combo? Revitalise your relationship with these fun date ideas, no bank breaking involved!So you’ve been together for a while and well, quite frankly, your dates have become more drab than fab! Yes, we know that the economy has taken a turn for the worse and everything is just so expensive (blah blah), but getting stuck in a relationship rut is never fun.Try these 10 ideas!1. Be amusedAmusement parks are an excellent option if you are looking for a fun date idea. Unleash your inner child and enjoy a full day’s activity, often for less than the price of a fancy dinner!This is a date that offers something for everyone, whether you enjoy the thrill of rollercoaster rides, shows or simply exploring, you’re sure to find an activity that suits your tastes....

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