Relationships: Relationship Building & Management

Lasting Love, Love Lessons

Roberta and Burt maintained a Friendship on Fire for forty-five years. They laughed, declaring that they HAD to learn to work things out because the world felt too darn cold when they were at odds.

When Burt was dying of cancer, Roberta still saw the young man she first met. Although he weighed only ninety-five pounds and had an ashen color, she still felt their love. As he was dying on a Monday afternoon in the living room filled with memories, she expressed, "We have always worked things out together. I am with you now and I will find you again."

THE ENERGIES OF LOVE

Read Dr. Miles entire article Lasting Love, Love Lessons

Dr. Linda Miles, our official Marriage & Family Therapist Expert

The Support Group Groupie

Mutual support can be a double-edged sword. Joining a support group can lead to renewal, likening it to pressing the REFRESH button on life. However, a support group can also keep you stuck pressing the REPLAY button and hearing the same thing over and over.

Human beings are social creatures. We need to support one another and we need support. Barak Obama is right when he says we need to work together. Businesses are failing. People are losing jobs and even homes. There is a lot of pain out there; and wherever there is pain, you will find support groups.

Read Dr. Neill's entire article The Support Group Groupie

Dr. Neill Neill, our official Overcoming Alcoholism Expert

Healing from Emotional Abuse: Mind-Emotion-Body Connection in Healing for Emotional Abuse

The mind-emotion-body connection is something some of us take for granted, while others remain in awe. I do both.

Now here is a little psychological insight that will open doors for your recovery from psychological, mental and emotional abuse.

Go ahead and get your coffee or herbal tea because we're going to have another one of those psychological conversations.

Read Dr. King's entire article Healing from Emotional Abuse: Mind-Emotion-Body Connection in Healing for Emotional Abuse

Dr. Jeanne King, Ph.D., our official Abusive Relationships Expert

How to Show Kindness in Your Home

"Kindness is the single most important ingredient in a happy home." This is the conclusion from a family study completed by researchers Dr. Ivan F. Beutler, Dr. Thomas R. Lee and Dr. Wesley R. Burr. Kindness is a key to individual happiness and to family peace. Dr. Albert Schweitzer, a well-known humanitarian once said, "Kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust and hostility to evaporate."

As I have met with hundreds of families, spoken to numerous groups about family issues, and critically observed families for decades, I have come to know that kindness is indeed a foundational part for a happy home. Without kindness, the money and the time we give our families is meaningless. Where there is no kindness, all attempts at family success are useless.

Read Paula's entire article How to Show Kindness in Your Home

Paula Fellingham, our official Strengthening Women and Families Expert

A mission: Workplace Passion

If you are going to pursue anything, why not give 100 percent of yourself in the process? Is there any other way to achieve results and satisfaction?

"PASSION: A Powerful force that cannot be stopped." Moliere

One life. One lifetime and one on-going journey to make a difference. Just stop to consider the possibilities! For those who are fortunate enough to be passionate about their life and livelihood, their day to day journey is filled with excitement, anticipation and reward. If you are going to pursue anything, why not give 100 percent of yourself in the process? Is there any other way to achieve results and satisfaction?

Read Bonnie's entire article A mission: Workplace Passion

Bonnie Ross-Parker, our official Networking Expert

The New Marriage - Part Three of Four

Harry Stack Sullivan, in The Interpersonal Theory of Psychiatry, argues that human beings have a biological drive to develop and establish interpersonal relationships. In Biological Basis for Human Social Behavior, R.A. Hind suggests that a person’s “attachment style”—the way in which they relate to other human beings and form relationships with them—is developed mostly during childhood. The attachment style tends to persist into adulthood but is not fixed and can be modified either positively or negatively as the result of further interactions.

I have had the joy of seeing countless adult clients consciously change their attachment style. This is a practice that takes time and is not easy to do. However, I have seen many people move from a victim stance to living more fully by changing their attachment style.

Read Dr Miles' entire article The New Marriage - Part Three of Four

Dr. Linda Miles, our official Marriage & Family Therapist Expert

Cheating Recovery - He's cheating, what do I do?

When I first discovered my husband's infidelity I was completely devastated. I was an emotional "basket case".

Married for 15 years, we had sort of grown up together. I could not imagine my life without him and his 12 year old daughter believed that the sun rose and set on her "Dear Old Dad".

At the time, he worked away from home for 21 days straight and would be home for 7. Not the ideal situation for any couple but, it was temporary and I thought we would get through it.

The moment he arrived on what would be his last stay at home, I could sense that something was very wrong. As I was busy telling him about life while he was away, I stopped in mid-sentence to ask, "you really are not interested in anything that I am telling you - are you?" With one word, my world changed. "No."

Read Stephany's entire article Cheating Recovery - He's cheating, what do I do?

Stephany Alexander, our official Dating Expert

Coping with the Emotional Stress of Christmas

Ah, Christmas--silver bells, mistletoe, shopping and family togetherness--a recipe that can lead to quite a bit of stress. Did you know that Christmas time ranks just below finances at the top of the list of what people find stressful and worrisome? Yes, Christmas has a dark side as well as a bright side. Where are you on the continuum between joy and dread at Christmas? Or are you all over the map?

For some Christmas is a time of joy, of family reunions, of generosity, of friendship, of gleeful children, of Christmas lights and of celebration. But for others Christmas is a dreaded time of pain, sadness or loneliness.

Read Dr. Neill's entire article Coping with the Emotional Stress of Christmas

Dr. Neill Neill, our official Overcoming Alcoholism Expert

Domestic Abuse Survivor Tips - The 3 Keys to Thriving after Domestic Abuse

We all have our moments when we slide into that beaten down spot and find ourselves wallowing in thoughts that keep us there. It's as if one picks up where one's former batterer left off.

When that happens, nip it in the bud. In the same way that you may quash a cold coming at its early onset (at the very first sign of it coming on), you arrest its progression.

How to Nip It in the Bud

Be in and come from pure positive energy Come to know the experience of time stopping and inner elevated calm emerging from within. Let this be the wallpaper mood of your day. Acknowledge it when it's there and inspire it when it's not.

Read Dr. King's entire article Domestic Abuse Survivor Tips - The 3 Keys to Thriving after Domestic Abuse

Dr. Jeanne King, Ph.D., our official Abusive Relationships Expert

Three Things Parents Should Tell Children Every Day

Do you remember holding your first baby for the first time? Were you struck, almost immediately, with an acute awareness of your infant's helplessness? I remember feeling incredibly humbled, and a little overwhelmed, by my new responsibility for the life of another human being. Although normal, for some of us those feelings don't diminish with time and experience.

I have seven children, living now in six states. My oldest son is serving as a Special Forces Medic in Afghanistan. These grown children are all successful, and living joyfully. They know how to love, laugh, and live well, in spite of the fact that each one has faced incredible obstacles in their lives.

Read Paula's entire article Three Things Parents Should Tell Children Every Day

Paula Fellingham, our official Strengthening Women and Families Expert