Monthly Archive for November, 2014

How to cultivate gratitude in your marriage this holiday season.

Posted on November 25, 2014 in categories: Collaborative Decision Making, Communication, Emotional Regulation, Intimacy, Marriage and In-laws, Marriage Issues & Relationship Skills, Positivity and Uncategorized. 0 Comments

“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude”

― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

The holiday season and particularly Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to take stock in your marriage. These few weeks from Thanksgiving to New Years can get really crazy, it’s also a wonderful time to cultivate gratitude in your marriage and make sure your relationship is getting a piece of the pie! Gratitude is more than just being thankful for something you have. It is a state of being that can bring more love, positivity and peace and health into your life. Gratitude is an intentional act, gratitude in your marriage as in all things opens the door to deeper and more fulfilling relationship and holiday season.

Gratitude is the antidote to desire. How is it that as a culture we have created the story that Thursday is the day to slow down, celebrate all that we already have and experience gratitude. Then comes black Friday where we are encouraged to hurry up, get to the store and compete with each other to satisfy our never ending need for things. Cultivating true gratitude will alleviate the need for the latest, greatest, cheapest goods and will allow love, respect and joy to be elevated in your marriage and beyond.

Here are a few ways to keep the focus on gratitude and kindness this holiday season… Continue reading ‘How to cultivate gratitude in your marriage this holiday season.’

Categories: Collaborative Decision Making, Communication, Emotional Regulation, Intimacy, Marriage and In-laws, Marriage Issues & Relationship Skills, Positivity and Uncategorized

Why I believe in marriage.

Posted on November 20, 2014 in categories: Marriage and Your Health, Marriage in the News and Marriage Issues & Relationship Skills. 0 Comments

If there is a trend in marriage for the latest generation to come of age it’s this… marriage is out. In fact marriage has been steadily declining since 1960. The other trend I have noticed lately in the world of marriage news is that people care about the habits of millennials. In recent weeks I have seen articles about why millennials aren’t marrying. The racial gap in the statistics about millennial marriage and many more trying to understand the millennial experience.

Millennials have a less favorable view of marriage and the value of saying I-do. The number of millennials co-habitating is on the rise and marriage as a necessity is not a strong view point. Parenting often falls higher on the bucket list than marriage. So what gives? Why has marriage fallen off the proverbial map? If I had to guess, I suppose I would say it’s because millennials just don’t see the point. Gone are the days of marriage being the only route to financial stability or even children. Those things can be easily achieved outside of marriage.

“Dear young people, don’t be afraid to marry. A faithful and fruitful marriage will bring you happiness.”

I am myself on the crisp edge of being a millennial (Born 1980). I do not often see myself in the descriptions, I do not own anything that says “keep calm and carry on” I don’t take “selfies” and I consider text messaging a secondary method of communication to calling or emailing. I have no inflated feelings about my specialness and I believe in marriage!

I wholeheartedly believe marriage is a path to a more fulfilling, generous, financially stable and satisfying, secure life. I have been married for 7 years. I was 27 when I got hitched.

Here’s why I believe in marriage. Continue reading ‘Why I believe in marriage.’

Categories: Marriage and Your Health, Marriage in the News and Marriage Issues & Relationship Skills

Positive images of marriage in media.

Posted on November 5, 2014 in categories: Just For Fun, Marriage in the News and Marriage Issues & Relationship Skills. 0 Comments

I am in the midst of reading Gillian Flynn’s novel Gone Girl. The movie Gone Girl, based on the book was recently released in theaters nationwide. The story is a sinister mystery centered around the disappearance of the wife. The book is a delicately woven tale of a marriage unravelling over time. Aside form being totally engrossed in this wonderful book, it has also prompted me to look for positive images of marriage in media.

Tabloid magazines frequently douse us with tales of celebrity woe and marital un-satisfaction. Reports of infidelity and other indiscretions top headlines in the media. Culturally we seem to have an unending thirst for news and images of relationships gone bad. On the flip side there are wonderful examples of skillful, warm, loving and supportive relationships on TV, in books and the media. Here are a two television couples worth paying attention to… Continue reading ‘Positive images of marriage in media.’

Categories: Just For Fun, Marriage in the News and Marriage Issues & Relationship Skills