Relationships: Relationship Building & Management

Is Leadership a Gift or An Acquired Skill?

 You've all heard the expression, "He or she was a born leader." I wonder if that's true.

It seems to me with insight and determination, anyone can learn the skills necessary to be a leader.

Volumes have been written on leadership. Lectures have been delivered on leadership. There are thousands of quotes on leadership. So, what then is leadership? What characteristics are indicative of a leader?

I set out to enlist some of the greatest minds and the most impactful ideas on leadership to share with you.

Read Bonnie's entire article Is Leadership a Gift or An Acquired Skill?

Bonnie Ross-Parker, our official Networking Expert

Relationship Heartbreaks - Part Two of Two

The rapture phase of love gives each partner a feeling that is buoyant, lively, and fulfilling. You project onto your partner images of beauty, goodness, and love as if your partner were a canvas waiting to be painted on. The energy of this consciousness shines a bright light across the world, obliterating all the differences in your characters, lifting you and your partner to a higher state of being. You are atop the summit, and you sparkle to one another like diamonds with many facets of light.

This is as it should be. Robert Johnson observed that falling in love is meant to be an initiation into a world much greater than the individual: an introduction to the ideals of love, truth, and beauty that transcend the personal ego and ordinary life.

Read Dr. Miles' entire article Relationship Heartbreaks - Part Two of Two

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

Avoid Dating A Scammer

Dating safely after your divorce is an absolute necessity in today's world. Some people can begin dating again within a few months, others take years.

Whatever the length of time you decide to take is up to you, but it is important that you do take some time to get to know yourself again and embrace the single person that you once were before your marriage.

According to a poll of over 1,500 women conducted by womansavers.com, 31% feel that a date turns into a relationship after dating for 3 months, 20% after you've had sex, 16% when he says I love you or after 6 months, and a mere 14% after 5 dates.

Read Stephany's entire article Avoid Dating A Scammer

Stephany Alexander, our official Dating Expert

Planning for Retirement Can Help Avoid Emotional Issues

There is more to retirement planning than the financial issues. As a psychologist, I see people with avoidable emotional issues. If you incorporate mental health and life legacy goals into your planning as you approach retirement, you can create a happier retirement.

Sam

Sam retires and is finally "free to not have to get up and go to work every day." He has looked forward to this day, because he can spend the time with his wife Sally that he couldn't when he was too busy working. He often felt guilty about being away so much, but now he can make up for it.

Read Dr. Neill's entire article Planning for Retirement Can Help Avoid Emotional Issues

Dr. Neill Neill, our official Overcoming Alcoholism Expert

Healing from Emotional Abuse - Overcoming Obstacles and Obtaining Benefits of Meditation

I hear people claim they can't meditate and so they opt for some other form of relaxation or marshal art. My hunch is they can meditate if and when they get out of their way.

Meditation is fundamentally not a doing activity, though there is a discipline of routine and mechanics involved.

Common Obstacles in Meditation

When we set aside our expectations of how and what it should be; and rather, hone in on how we experience whatever our experience is in the moment, a meditative state may indeed evolve.

Read Dr. King's entire article Healing from Emotional Abuse - Overcoming Obstacles and Obtaining Benefits of Meditation

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

Make Every Networking Connection Count!

We simply never know in what way that impact will affect someone else!

I love this month's topic: The Best Networkers Offer Value! As networkers, daily, each of us has the ability to impact the people we meet , our friends and family members and the individuals in our organization. What is especially exciting about this? We simply never know in what way that impact will affect someone else! Maybe it will be something we say. Maybe the value will be in making an offer, a suggestion or providing a resource. Maybe it will be in mentioning an opportunity that will forever change the direction of another person's life.

Read Bonnie's entire article Make Every Networking Connection Count!

Bonnie Ross-Parker, our official Networking Expert

Friendship on Fire: Hot Is Not Enough

 HOT IS NOT ENOUGH

There are countless couples with hot chemistry who cannot face challenges of daily life together. Fire is not limited to the erotic beginnings of a relationship and, without a foundation of friendship, it can burn out.

I recall a mom who was very distressed when her seventeen-year-old daughter fell for a handsome and charming boy who sold drugs at school. It turned out to be a great lesson for the teenager about what it was like with someone so undependable. HOT WAS NOT ENOUGH. However, past relationships that you consider failures may have helped prepare you for Friendship on Fire.

Read Dr. Miles entire article Friendship on Fire: Hot Is Not Enough

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

Safer Online Dating: 10 Tips on How to Date Online Safely

The internet is one of the most dangerous places to meet people because of the ability to hide behind false online profiles. People can say whatever they want so it is up to you to take the time to do your research and investigate a potential partner in order to protect yourself. According to an on-going relationship poll of 2,493 women conducted by date screening website WomanSavers.com, 68% said they google a person's name before dating, versus only 31% said they did not.

The below 10 tips will show you some ways to reduce the risk of online dating to date safer online.

Read Stephany's entire article Safer Online Dating: 10 Tips on How to Date Online Safely

Stephany Alexander, our official Dating Expert

Domestic Abuse and Violence Awareness

Domestic violence and child abuse are two very sensitive topics. Yet, October is dedicated to helping people become aware of these two types of abuse and how to recognize an abusive relationship. The article focuses on awareness of spousal abuse in particular.

I knew a man who regularly raged at his wife, but never in public, so few people knew about it. As his wife got better at not accepting unwarranted blame, his rages grew into smashing furniture and driving recklessly. He eventually assaulted her and broke bones. Then she left. He always believed she was at fault.

Read Dr. Neill's entire article Domestic Abuse and Violence Awareness

Dr. Neill Neill, our official Overcoming Alcoholism Expert

Emotional Abuse and Verbal Abuse: What Is the Difference?

We often hear the terms emotional abuse and verbal abuse used interchangeably, as though they were one and the same. It’s more accurate to say the two expressions of abuse do indeed overlap.

Verbal Abuse versus Emotional Abuse

Verbal abuse is the use of specific language to demean, belittle, or outright slander and harm another person.

Read Dr. King's entire article Emotional Abuse and Verbal Abuse: What Is the Difference?

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