Tag: relationship stress

6 Tips To Expand The Love: & reduce conflict

In the 20+ years Carol and I have been working with couples, we’ve not yet had a couple come to us saying, “We have an incredible relationship, filled with love, joy, happiness, and contentment. We want to expand the love even more.”  We’ve not had that – yet.  Maybe you and your partner will be… Read more »

Give Change A Chance

Right now, we ponder, “what do we need if we must evacuate” (wildfires a few miles away).  I’m reminded of the power of our relationship. When we are strong together, we can adapt, support ourselves and others, and definitely give change (and love) a chance. Life is an experiment. Some experiments give us the results… Read more »

Your Jigsaw Puzzle Of Life?

What would be different in your approach if you experienced everyday as part of your jigsaw puzzle of life? Would you be inquisitive or forceful? Curious or directive? Present or distracted? There is no right or wrong, yet the metaphor of a jigsaw puzzle of life can help shift how we interact with ourselves, our… Read more »

Is A Perspective Shift Needed For You?

Where in your life would a slight shift of perspective make a significant difference in the quality of your relationships and your results? The choice: to get bitter or get better. A few years a go, I attended a series of intense Neuro Linguistic Programming classes to become a Master Practitioner of this modality.  One… Read more »

Drama Addiction: Is it a resource-sucker for you?

I’ve not seen any research about the social and economic impacts of drama-addiction.  Have you?  Like any addiction, there is a huge cost. Maybe there is no qualitative or quantitative research because most of us are so immersed in our dramas, we don’t even recognize it’s a problem. I invite you to step back from… Read more »

Just Because I Don’t Know The Plan, Doesn’t Mean There Isn’t One

I just finished re-reading ‘The Power of TED’ by David Emerald and am pondering where I consistently jump into the Dreaded Drama Triangle. If you’re not familiar with the Drama Triangle, I invite you to get the book and read it. The Triangle consists of 3 positions we play in our self-created dramas: Victim, Persecutor,… Read more »

Focused Time Will Make It Fine: It’s a juggling act

Where does your relationship with your partner fit on your list of priorities? Weird question because I don’t have a written list of my priorities in life (roles).  Do you? Yet if we evaluate how we distribute our time, effort, and attention, it is very clear that you and I DO have an unconscious list… Read more »

1 Choice That Changes Everything In Your Marriage

Marriage (or any long-term intimate relationship) can be the most satisfying, gratifying, and mystifying experience in life.  Maybe that’s why a large percentage of our population try it. It seems that many people “try it,” as a sport that you win or lose, and naturally the intent is to win. Other people “totally commit to… Read more »

Where Is That Wascally Wabbit (aka Happiness)?

Do you remember the Bugs Bunny cartoons? If so, what pops into your mind with the name, Elmer Fudd? The picture in my mind? I see a short, pudgy character with his hunting cap perched on his head, gun over his shoulder, marching through the woods like a soldier, and with a slow deep voice… Read more »

Conflict In Your Relationship Can Be Healthy

Conflict can be healthy in a relationship – it can lead to greater creativity, innovation, and fulfillment. Knowing how to handle it respectfully is the tricky part. Check out this video We’d love to her how you effectively and respectfully deal with conflict.