In a Wall Street Journal article, columnist Elizabeth Bernstein writes about the challenge of marriage between an ardent planner and a partner who prefers to be spontaneous.

Perhaps you’ve known people in a marriage like that—or maybe you’re one of them. In my work with couples, I have heard many a planner call their spouse passive-aggressive, or the spontaneous one refer to their spouse as a control freak. Regardless of what differences, marriage conflict is inevitable!

So, how do we successfully bridge differences in our relationships?

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

If you're struggling to control your anger, you're not alone. It's one of the most common emotions that people struggle with. Its intensity makes it a challenging emotion, especially if you let it build. However, there is an emotional intelligence (EQ) skill that can transform the way you relate to your anger, thereby also facilitating more relational and inner peace.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

When or if your teenager starts to act out and rebel, it can be difficult to know what to do as a parent. You can feel like you're losing control of your teen when dealing with teenage rebellion and disrespect.

It’s true, teens sometimes engage in risky behaviors that terrify their parents, so your concern is justified. However, many parents overreact by immediately taking away their smartphones or grounding their teen “for a year!” These reactions can backfire by increasing oppositional behavior or creating ruptures in your relationship.

So, how do you best support and help your teenager [...]

When I coach couples, something that I hear a lot is how hard conflict is. They wonder why their relationship or marriage isn't easier or more fun. Or they ask if they are just falling out of love.

Do you find yourself in small rifts with your partner every day or big, blowout fights regularly? You're not alone. Couples struggle with conflict in relationships and recurring arguments are more common than you might think.

What can you do when your love relationship meant to replenish and support you, exhausts and depletes you instead?

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Do you ever feel like your mind is a bully? Does that little voice inside your head constantly put you down, telling you that you’re not good enough, or planting doubt and worry? Have you ever wondered how unkind impacts your mental health?

Negative self-talk (a.k.a., "The Inner Critic") is very common and can be extremely discouraging—and yes, harsh self-talk is a significant component of anxiety and depression. If you are a victim of inner criticism, it’s time to bridle your self-talk and learn EQ skills to create inner peace!

Estimated reading: 7 minutes

Last winter, I was driving down the interstate in a blizzard. I could barely see even a few feet ahead. Little did I know I was on the bumper of a revelation. I slowed down, but not soon enough. The snow cleared for a second, and I discovered myself face-to-face with the tailgate of a semi-truck. I swerved to safety, but something caught my eye.

Glaring back at me was a large bumper sticker: “Truckers don’t deserve to be treated like ....” I strained to see the final word. There was none—only a picture of a slab of beef. 

Estimated reading time: 5.5 minutes

Long-distance relationships can be challenging and frustrating at times. They take a lot of effort to maintain genuine connections, especially with the hurdles being apart brings. However, making the relationship work is possible if both you and your partner are willing to work at it and let go of expectations.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

“Gotta pick up the kids from school.” “Gotta get this report done by tomorrow.” “Gotta shop for dinner.” “Gotta pay the bills!” “Gotta get to the gym and lose this extra weight.” Gotta, gotta, gotta.

A lack of work-life balance and the need to get somewhere are themes I hear frequently. We are seekers. And personal transformation is high on the list for many. Yet, we are often unaware that we are reaching for something, even if it's self-growth. While ignoring what is happening right now within ourselves and around us, the present moment evades us.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes