♣ Puppies can teach us a lot about how to respond to frustrating and difficult situations in positive and productive ways. We adopted a puppy several years ago. I knew the puppy would have some things to learn about getting along with us inside a house, about...
Read MorePersonal growth may seem like a solo pursuit, but it's our relationships that bring out the best in us. Every week, my wife and I have a meeting where we talk about what is going well in our family, but also what we could be doing...
Read MoreResearch suggests that building optimism about the future increases your happiness and paves the way for stronger and more fulfilling connections. Do you know how to create the kinds of relationships that feel good? Research suggests that building optimism about the future can motivate us to work toward our desired...
Read MoreIt all comes down to two key efforts: conflict management and avoiding external threats. Why do some relationships go the distances, and others flame out? You could listen to 1,000 songs written on heartbreak and love—one of my current faves is Chris Stapleton’s “Nobody to Blame,”...
Read More↓ What can your anger teach you about yourself for better relationships? Falling in love is awesome. And sometimes it’s awful. I’ve had a few pretty bad relationships in my time, and lately, I’ve been able to identify certain patterns that have come up time and again....
Read More↓ Feeling like you might throttle someone? Try these tactics instead. Ah, difficult people. There are passive aggressives—the ones who “forget” and put pork in a vegetarian’s dinner. Then there are the grumpy misanthropes, the abusive yellers, the self-centered narcissists, the Debbie Downers or Woe-Me-ers. If we’re...
Read MoreFostering and maintaining close friendships can help keep your brain healthier as you age. ↓ Plenty of exercise. Healthy food. Positive attitude. Plain old good luck. There’s lots of advice out there about how to keep body and brain in optimal shape as the...
Read More↓ With strong social support, we can accomplish impressive feats of resilience and even extend our lives. ↓ Our need for social support isn’t just in our heads. Evolutionary psychology explains that the innate need to form social bonds is wired into our biology. When we make a...
Read More↓ Setting goals with your partner can be a double-edged sword. On one end, when you achieve them you feel joy and exhilaration for having realized a dream or aspiration. On the other hand, when you fail to meet them, you may face disappointment as you...
Read MoreWhether it’s Adam and Eve, Adam and Adam, or Eve and Eve, neuroscience suggests that once we choose to create a life with another person, that person becomes the most significant outside influence in defining who we are. So what might we do to honor...
Read More* We All Have Something to Give Giving doesn't mean buying a gift. There are many ways to tap into the heart of generosity. Barry Boyce names a few. Giving is hard. According to many evolutionary psychologists, including Dacher Keltner, of the Greater Good Science Center, we are...
Read More* Surviving Infidelity It seems no relationship is safe from the potential of infidelity, whether a private relationship or a public one. Statistics show that somewhere between 30-60% of individuals stray at some point during in their marriage, although exact statistics are challenging due to the secretive...
Read More* 3 Mindful Ways to Transform Negative Thoughts * Recognizing our thoughts and where they're taking us is the first step to changing our relationship to them. * How we relate to our thoughts has a big impact on how our day unfolds, and also how we approach triggers in...
Read More12 Ways Successful People Handle Toxic People The important thing to remember is that you are in control of far more than you realize. * Toxic people have always been a drag, but research shows they can physically harm your brain. In this article, originally published on LinkedIn...
Read More5 Toxic Personalities Successful People Avoid * One of my favorite quotes is by Jim Rohn: “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” These words opened my eyes to the fact that the people we hang out with, the people...
Read MoreThis short animated video suggests we should stop insisting we’re always right and say we’re sorry. An apology won’t make you weaker in your partner’s eyes. * [embed]http://https://youtu.be/EtXi4mCmD5E[/embed] * Conflict in relationships is not unusual nor is it always a bad thing. It can be constructive and help you...
Read MoreThe Fifth Essential Life Skill: Taking Aligned Action * This is part four of a series featuring the Five Essential Life Skills. The first three skills were:Remembering Who You Really Are, Self-Observation,Transcending the Ego/ Letting Go and Realign with your Authentic Self * A man once called me to lament how difficult...
Read MoreThe Second Essential Life Skill: Self-Observe * This is part two of a series featuring the Five Essential Life Skills. My last post featured the first of the skills, Remembering Who You Really Are. The second essential life skill of self-observation may well be the most important. It...
Read More5 Essential Life Skills, Part 1: Remember Who You Are * This is part one of a series featuring the Five Essential Life Skills. Through the course of over 20 years of personal and spiritual growth study and my own personal work, I have identified five essential life...
Read MoreHe (or She) Won’t Change * Many years ago when my marriage hit what I call “the wall,” I thought my husband had to change in order for me to be happy. The problems with this kind of thinking are multiple. One challenge is that when we...
Read More* 3 Essentials of Happy and Healthy Relationships * These are things that, when done over time, create the kinds of relationships you truly desire. Your loving spouse who shares everything with you, that best friend who connects with you like few others do, the people at work who...
Read More10 Stories to Nurture your Most Important Relationships * During our last 10-day challenge, we explored the topic of nurturing our relationships. From self-love to romantic relationships and from family to community – it’s so very important to constantly expand the way we interact with and love...
Read More* How to Forgive * Science shows learning to forgive can make you happier and healthier. * Your mom told you to forgive. And most religions encourage forgiveness. Plus, it’s just a nice thing to do, right? People who genuinely forgive tend to be healthier and happier, science suggests. For example,...
Read More* 6 Secrets of Happy Relationships * Before the battles begin, we start out believing that being with this person will make us happy. Ironically, that’s the critical mistake… “This isn’t working. Let’s just get a divorce,” Caroline said, as she stormed out of their new house. Wally stopped...
Read More* A Match Made In Heaven? * The tall man with silver hair sits next to me at the dinner party and smiles. We have yet to speak a word, but I feel like I know him already. At least, a few salient details. “He’s a gem,” the hostess...
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