Love and marriage. Leverage is probably not something that you think about when you're desiring a healthy and strong marriage. You are more likely to want better communication, deeper intimacy, and "love made visible." There are many ways to build a loving relationship, yet there are certain things that consistently nurture love. It's not in the big strokes, but in the daily little actions. The best marriage advice is to leverage the small things.

Habits control our lives whether we recognize it or not. If you’ve ever tried to overcome a bad habit, you’ll relate to the power of habits.

From the moment you get up in the morning, your activities are on cruise control: brushing your teeth, showering, eating breakfast, exercising (or not), checking Facebook or your email inbox, rituals once you’re at work, etc. Whatever you repeat enough and do routinely, the brain will create a habit. Why? Because the brain is a superhighway of efficiency.

Estimated reading: 4 minutes

"Forgiveness" is a term used so often that few people question its intrinsic value. You'd probably agree that asking for and offering forgiveness has become common practice. Just like many others, I was taught growing up that when you hurt someone—even accidentally—the right thing to do is to say you're sorry and ask for forgiveness. Children quickly learn when adults expect an apology, even when a child may have lacked the skill to respond differently.

Have we erred and put too much emphasis on behavior and not enough attention on understanding the person and their needs?

Estimated reading [...]

Relationships greet us with many challenges, big and small. Love and marriage don't come with a handbook, and sometimes all we know is what we learned growing up. As a relationship coach, I often hear the same complaints repeatedly: "I don't feel heard by my partner." or "I've fallen out of love." or "My partner feels more like a roommate."

So when I passed a truck on the interstate with the license plate EZ2LOVE, my mind tossed this saying around like a fresh salad with big wooden tongs.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Whenever I teach emotional intelligence classes or facilitate women's groups, I am reminded how difficult it can be for people to allow themselves to feel. Yes, emotions can be overwhelming, especially the heavier feelings, but with practice, they can be a great resource for happiness. But first, we need to feel.

Give yourself permission to feel. But how?

Giving yourself permission is vital to be happy. But how? 

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

As teens plug through the high school years and prepare to leave home, parents often begin to squirm. Not only is it a gigantic letting-go process for a parent (and a teen) to leave home, but the big question that plagues many parents is: “Have I prepared my child adequately?” And emotional intelligence is critical for your teenager to be successful.

Do you know just how important your parental responses and modeling are in building emotional fitness in your teenager?

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

There is a lot of talk about creating a life you love, the law of attraction, and tons on overcoming anxiety and depression. The internet is a smorgasbord of information. You can read and learn about any topic! They range from “How to Attract Your Soul Mate,” to “How to Overcome Anxiety in 5 Easy Steps” to scientific articles like “Change Your Brain and Transform Your Life.”

We don’t have a shortage of virtual advice. Yet, just like overeating at a giant buffet, if you consume too much, the result is indigestion and brain fog. People often come to me for coaching with severe indigestion of [...]

Are you struggling to get motivated or unable to lose weight? Does it feel like you’ve tried everything with no results?! It is discouraging, isn't it!?

You’re not alone. It’s difficult for many people, including myself, to stay dedicated to a lifestyle that promotes health and fitness. Our schedules are crazy busy, and it takes discipline and consistency to develop healthy habits.

Or does it? Is that all that’s going on?

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

It’s common to have unrealistic and romantic ideas about love, relationships, and marriage. We grow up with a solid diet of fairytales and love stories. Nobody tells you how much work it is to love someone full-time, 24-7, seven days a week—really love someone.

After the honeymoon wears off, it hits you—sometimes gradually, other times suddenly like a ton of bricks. You’re living day-to-day with the quirks of your partner and juggling all the pressures of life and work. Then, one day, you have this pit in your stomach and dare to wonder if you married the wrong person.

Mind mapping is a fun way to brainstorm ideas, digest information, or organize your thoughts and goals. I'm no stranger to mind mapping; I've created them frequently over the years. It’s fun, effective, and utilizes the natural processes of the brain.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes