A mere 50 years ago (which isn’t that long, really) everything was very different. There was still a huge stigma on couples who chose to live together “out of wedlock” as it was called, and parents whose children did so white-knuckled the social embarrassment until they could finally send out those wedding announcements. Aside from [read more]
Part One of a Great Relationship – Emotional Intimacy
The key to any successful relationship is genuine attachment. Obviously you have a different relationship with a housemate or friend than you do with your lover. No matter how close a friend a housemate is, the attachment of a lover is bound to be deeper. It is based on full understanding which leads to a [read more]
How a Painful Breakup Can Lead to Personal Growth
Don’t kid yourself. Breaking up can be brutally difficult. In many cases, it is akin to losing someone to death. The loss is complete. Ties severed. Someone who once filled your life and heart is now gone. Don’t pretend “it’s okay” when it’s not. Let yourself experience it, in whatever way is right for you. [read more]
Newly Single Part 2 – Dating + Children
Being a parent is one of the most meaningful roles a person can fill in life. The relationship between a parent and a child, at any stage of growth from cradle to college and beyond, is unique, beautiful, challenging, rewarding, and of inestimable value. Last tiem I talked about being newly single and back in [read more]
Five Steps to Destroy Dating Fear
Fear is a terrible enemy. Fear preys on your mind like a prayer in reverse – the more you dwell on it, the more you create a negative reality. People react to fear by being fearful, and fearful people miss out on… a lot. If your fears – of putting yourself out there, of being [read more]
Forgiveness—Divine Release
“To err is human; to forgive, divine.” A quotation probably more famous than the man who first said it, English poet Alexander Pope. You may well have not heard of him, but you have probably heard his words. Screwing up (to err, in other words) is human indeed. We are all flawed human beings. In [read more]
Honestly? Telling Lies Hurts (Everybody)
People lie constantly. Especially if you include in your tally the most common lie of all: “I’m fine.” As much of a social lubricant as this lie is, it represents an essential fact. People don’t want to reveal… too much. We learn to lie in childhood. Saying “sorry” when we are not, saying what others [read more]
Are You Dating a Selfish Person?
Feeling a little invisible in your relationship? Wondering why your date’s version of give and take has a lot more take than give (which leaves you making up the difference)? Maybe you need to assess how you show up in your relationship, and whether you are looking out for yourself enough. On the other hand, [read more]