Monthly Archive for April, 2013

20 hilarious marriage quotes-funny and true!

Posted on April 30, 2013 in categories: Just For Fun, Naomi and Romance. 0 Comments

Marriage quotes-funny, true and sweet. Many funny marriage quotes can be mean-spirited and perpetuate negative marriage stereotypes. Surround yourself with kind humor to give you encouragement in your relationships. After all, marriage can be tough, and one of the best predictors of success is to be able to have a sense of humor about it all.

Enjoy!

“Being in a long marriage is a little bit like that nice cup of coffee every morning – I might have it every day, but I still enjoy it.” -Stephen Gaines

“Happily ever after is not a fairy tale. It’s a choice.” -Fawn Weaver Continue reading ’20 hilarious marriage quotes-funny and true!’

Categories: Just For Fun, Naomi and Romance

5 signs of emotional abuse

Posted on April 25, 2013 in categories: Abuse, Anger, Communication, Infidelity and Naomi. 1 Comment

A tragically high number of people will suffer abuse at the hands of an intimate partner - conservative estimates claim that 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. The real numbers are impossible to calculate since most instances of abuse are never reported.

Often education on abusive behavior focuses primarily on physical abuse. In fact, there are several different kinds of abuse that don’t leave physical scars, but are just as serious and dangerous as domestic violence. Often psychological and emotional abuse are the precursors to physical violence.

Familiarize yourself with these signs of emotional abuse so you can protect yourself and your loved ones. Continue reading ‘5 signs of emotional abuse’

Categories: Abuse, Anger, Communication, Infidelity and Naomi

Nagging

Posted on April 22, 2013 in categories: Communication, Emotional Regulation and Naomi. 0 Comments

Nagging: little words that cause big problems. Nagging is a pattern of negative communication in a relationship. Most of the time it goes something like this: one person asks for or recommends something, or comments on his spouse. He receives either a vague response or silence. Later, he asks again, which causes his spouse to feel even more resistant. This pattern escalates until it provokes anger and arguments.

Why does nagging happen? Part of the puzzle has to do with the different ways in which men and women communicate. According to some research, women are more emotionally perceptive and sensitive to signs that there is something troubling their spouse. Since women tend to be more verbally communicative and explicative, they expect full and detailed answers about what is wrong. Therefor, getting a terse or evasive response from their spouse feels troubling and unsatisfying and they will continue to ask about the matter. Continue reading ‘Nagging’

Categories: Communication, Emotional Regulation and Naomi

5 positive communication strategies for couples

Posted on April 19, 2013 in categories: Collaborative Decision Making, Communication, Emotional Regulation and Naomi. 0 Comments

Nobody is born knowing how to communicate well in a relationship, and, unfortunately, we tend to pick up a lot of bad communication strategies from our parents, friends, lovers, and the media. It’s easy to say, “Just don’t get so mad and yell at your partner!”, when really, it’s quite hard to change emotional habits-and few marriage help books tell you how to do so. Here are five concrete communication strategies you can practice that will noticeably improve the atmosphere in your home. And you don’t have to try to master them all at once! Pick one at a time to focus on for a week or two. You will see results in the way your spouse responds to you and the greater ease in which you resolve conflicts. Continue reading ‘5 positive communication strategies for couples’

Categories: Collaborative Decision Making, Communication, Emotional Regulation and Naomi

Should I get married? 9 questions to ask yourself.

Posted on April 15, 2013 in categories: Marriage Prep/Engagement and Marriage Q&A. 0 Comments

Should I get married? Yes! I love him so much! I can’t imagine life without her…

Marriage is a big commitment-in fact, it’s one of the biggest commitments we can make in our lives. Is he/she “the one”? Are you ready?

Ultimately, no one can answer that but yourself. Not your parents, not friends, not marriage experts or writers like me. Here are 9 important questions to ask yourself that can help you answer the question “Should I get married?” Many of these are based on statistics that predict successful marriage or divorce. Continue reading ‘Should I get married? 9 questions to ask yourself.’

Categories: Marriage Prep/Engagement and Marriage Q&A

The 40 most romantic quotes about marriage

Posted on April 11, 2013 in categories: Just For Fun, Naomi and Romance. 0 Comments

Many wise and beautiful things have been said about marriage over the years. Enjoy these romantic quotes about marriage that are truly marriage-positive. Quotes about marriage are great for anniversaries, wedding toasts, or ever-day surprises. Try copying one on a nice piece of paper and leaving it in your spouse’s car!

“Marriage: Love is the reason. Lifelong friendship is the gift. Kindness is the cause. Til’ death do us part is the length.” -Fawn Weaver

“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” -Mignon McLaughlin

“To find someone who will love you for no reason, and to shower that person with reasons, that is the ultimate happiness.” -Robert Brault

“A great spouse loves you exactly as you are. An extraordinary spouse helps you grow; inspires you to be, do and give your very best.” -Fawn Weaver Continue reading ‘The 40 most romantic quotes about marriage’

Categories: Just For Fun, Naomi and Romance

The increasing danger of reconnecting with ex lovers online

Posted on April 8, 2013 in categories: Infidelity, Marriage in the News, Marriage Q&A, Naomi and Uncategorized. 1 Comment

Social media is wonderful for keeping in touch with friends and family. At the same time, there is one category of person that you should not be reconnecting with-ex flames. Facebook has made it incredibly easy to indulge in nostalgia and look up people from the past. The Australian magazine The Age recently delved into the near-epidemic of social media-inspired affairs with the article “First love, the second time around.”

Nostalgia drives social media searches

Most people do not reach out to past romantic partners consciously looking for an affair-yet this is what often happens. Old flames hold strong sway over our hearts, triggering powerful and deep-set emotions related to desire, regret and attachment. Relationships that occurred during teenage years seem to be especially powerful. Continue reading ‘The increasing danger of reconnecting with ex lovers online’

Categories: Infidelity, Marriage in the News, Marriage Q&A, Naomi and Uncategorized

Want a good marriage? Don’t call your spouse a “Ball and Chain”

Posted on April 4, 2013 in categories: As seen on FOX News, Marriage in the News, Naomi and Positivity. 2 Comments

Thanks to Stu and Lisa Gray of the Stupendous Marriage Show for turning me on to this topic! Check out their podcast for some smart commentary.

Negative stereotypes about marriage are so pervasive in our society that it is almost impossible to escape them. Name almost any TV show with married couples and you’ll find at least one example of the “ball and chain” metaphor. Marriage is the end of fun. It is the end of sex. It means constant bickering and being tied to someone who you can’t stand for the rest of your life.

Media and popular culture certainly perpetuate these damaging stereotypes, and, at the same time, we are all just as guilty ourselves. Every time we complain about or badmouth our spouses to others, we perpetuate marriage stereotypes and hurt our own marriages. Continue reading ‘Want a good marriage? Don’t call your spouse a “Ball and Chain”’

Categories: As seen on FOX News, Marriage in the News, Naomi and Positivity

Tips for dealing with difficult people

Posted on April 2, 2013 in categories: Anger, Communication, Emotional Regulation, Naomi and Positivity. 0 Comments

Dealing with difficult people is something we all have to face. Luckily, many of the skills we us to make our marriages run smoothly and diffuse tension can also be used for dealing with difficult people. Here are the top 5 Power of Two golden rules for conflict and communication in marriage that will help you in any situation, whether at work, with friends, or family members.

  1. Remember: it’s not about you. Only we control our emotions-no one can “make” someone else angry, upset, or irritated. So while you may have made a mistake that was regrettable and caused problems (and if so, recognize and acknowledge it), if someone becomes angry, guilts you, or treats you poorly, that is their problem. If they are angry, that is their problem. Continue reading ‘Tips for dealing with difficult people’
Categories: Anger, Communication, Emotional Regulation, Naomi and Positivity