Archive for the ‘Relationships’ Category

Is there a science to happiness?  According to the girl Scouts, the answer is a resounding “yes”.

Recently the Girl Scouts merit badges underwent a major overhaul.  One of the merit badges in particular was very controversial.  Girl Scouts can now earn a Science of Happiness badge.  The thought process is that happiness can be scientifically analyzed.

How do the Scouts earn this badge?  They follow a scientific method to study their own happiness and that of others.  The involve themselves in a variety of activities.  They help others.  They learn to forgive.  They keep journals. Read the rest of this entry »

The inability to comprehend what is being said, rather than simply opening our ears, is becoming a prominent problem in our society. According to eHarmony, an online dating service, the number two cause of breakups and divorce in the United States is lack of communication. Intimate relationships with our fellow human beings are destroyed because we do not know how to listen to one another! In addition, effective communication skills are valued in employees. The number one reason people are fired is not their inability to learn, but their inability to communicate.

Our ability to selectively hear not only keep us consciously unaware, but also hurts our relationships to the point of decay. Listening can help us in our relationships, our Read the rest of this entry »

Today on Facebook I ran across a group called “You know that headache you get when talking to your grandparents?” This particular group got me thinking, “No, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I think that we often take our grandparents for granted. These people two generations ahead of us get stuck with the stereotype of being “old” which in some unknown way diminishes their fun factor. I’ve always had an easy time thinking differently. Personally, I have a good relationship with my grandparents. One thing we know, regardless of our relationship with them, is that that the saying, “With age comes wisdom”, is quite true.

Time passes very quickly. Often it’s the ones closest to us that suffer as we seem to assume they’ll be around forever. We skirt in and out of their lives at our convenience. Luckily, I’ve found that if I give my grandparents the opportunity, they prove to be a treasure trove of wisdom, information Read the rest of this entry »

What is your idea of a healthy, romantic, responsible committed relationship? Is it something that requires each person living their life in a way that makes their partner happy? Do you think it is an idea that involves each partner as authentic individuals being true to themselves and allowing the other to do the same?

I don’t think you should do anything for your partner if it comes with an expectation of reciprocation. The things you do for your partner must always be done because you chose to do them and you wanted to do them.

Tell the unarguable truth. Be truthful to yourself and your partner if you want true love. Many people are taught to lie to protect someone’s feelings, either their own or those of their partner. Lies create disconnection between you and your relationship, even if your partner never finds out about it. The unarguable truth is about your true feelings; your partner can argue about anything that happens outside of you, but he or she cannot rationally deny your feelings.

In healthy relationships, people respect each other for who they are…without the need to change them in any way.

Notice what’s coming up for you in each of your significant relationships throughout the day. Are you feeling your buttons pushed? Thank the person that’s interacting with you…they’re helping you grow!