A Heart Condition
Lately, I have been thinking about communication. I read an article by a Marriage and Family Therapist not too long ago that said communication was only a symptom of the real relationship problem – a heart condition. I think I agree. The author stated, “When hearts are soft people usually do not have a difficult time communicating.” This seems to compliment what was told to me over a decade...
Read More“Outwardly Rather than Inwardly…”
Years ago, before I decided on a college major, I remember taking a class on marriage and human development. During the semester we were given an assignment to interview family members and friends about the definition of family. Among the people I interviewed was the grandfather of a family I knew well from high school. All these years later I still remember his answer. When I asked him, “what...
Read MoreCan a Marriage Survive Infidelity?
Infidelity is devastating to marriage. It’s certainly not easy, but for those that wish to recover, marriages can and do survive infidelity. How? Unfortunately, there is no magic answer that eases the pain – it takes a lot of effort by both individuals. The most important thing you need to make such a marriage survive is willingness from both the partners. Now, the situation is...
Read MoreSurvive The Economy With Your Marriage
Many couples are facing financial difficulties. They’re losing their homes, and moving into an apartment or back home with their parents. This wasn’t the plan. The new reality of economic hardships is hitting hard. Much of what has happened isn’t your fault. Plunging 401k’s and job lay offs are outside of your control. It’s important to stay proactive and focus on the things that...
Read MoreThe Holidays and Marriage Counseling
The holidays have their own built-in stressors for couples, but it’s also a time when pre- existing problems tend to be magnified. What is it about the holidays that can bring about stress and conflict? Maybe it’s the expectations. We are bombarded with images of how holidays are supposed to be and when we don’t live up to those (likely unrealistic) expectations, we feel like ...
Read More