We have been duped! “Happily ever after” has been made out to be something that happens magically when you’re in love. People don’t tell you how much work it takes to understand one another in everyday life.

Love is a choice and one that isn't always easy. It can be difficult to set aside your own opinions and truly hear your partner’s opposing views.

No one prepares you with the necessary skills, such as how to express emotions without hurting your partner or how to calm your emotions so they don’t distort reality and blind you when communicating with your partner.

Estimated reading time: 3 [...]

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the stress of hectic day-to-day activities with our families and children and fail to do our best parenting. Maintaining a work-life balance is tricky when raising a family and our values can get trampled by everyday demands. And we can all too easily react to our children’s testy (and testing!) behavior without even thinking.

Parenting is a big responsibility, and there are no perfect parents, so reactions are natural. However, knee-jerk reactions often give our children unhelpful messages that don't teach them how to become capable, happy adults.

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As a parent, do you ever wonder if you're failing your child? Or do you feel discouraged in your parenting role? Are your kids driving you crazy? Have you found yourself doing exactly what you said you'd NEVER do—like yelling at your kids, just like your mom did? Then, you might ask, "Am I a bad mom?"Parenting is not for the weary at heart as the saying goes. Being a parent requires patience, fortitude, skill, and a love that keeps on giving! It's a fabulous opportunity to grow up, too!

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

What’s your dream? Ever imagine it as a reality?

Have you ever asked yourself, "How do I make my dreams come true?" What if I told you that you’re not too busy, too broke, too old, or too stuck in a rut to achieve your dream? It’s true!

Learn simple steps that you can take to achieve any goal, no matter how big. It just depends on how you focus your attention.Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Most of us (especially parents) know what to do if our clothes catch fire: STOP, DROP, and ROLL. But do we know what to do if our relationship catches fire?

Our relationship may function smoothly and harmoniously most of the time. But when a conflict does arise, we may find out that we just don’t know how to resolve it. Many times, the problem lies in our lack of communication skills.

We all want to feel heard and understood. If we don’t know how to establish real connection through effective communication in our love relationship, we may find ourselves competing within the relationship for [...]

It sounds impossible, right? After all, it takes two to tango. How can one person transform a relationship without the other one on board?Well, it does take two to tango, but if one dancer knows exactly what they're doing and practices often, he/she can teach their partner how to be a better dancer without them even knowing it. It may sound a little sly and tricky, but in some cases, it's just what a couple needs to make the shift from bitterness to bliss.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Are you fighting aches and pains? Or feeling like your body “just isn’t right”? It could be more than a physical malaise. Maybe emotional conflicts are trying to get you to sit up and pay attention. It might just be time for an emotional reset!

When your back is aching and your shoulders are bound up in knots, there’s nothing like getting a good massage, right? It's easy to recognize when our body needs a break. When we're hungry, we eat; when we're tired, we rest and when our head is throbbing, we reach for relief. But how well do you care for your emotions and emotional well-being?

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Recently I was trying to replace the batteries in my wireless mouse and couldn’t get the cover off—again. I had struggled with this same task previously (trying paper clips, pens, X-ACTO knives, scissors, brute force, etc.), but this time it was different. I stopped trying to fight it and sat back, relaxing the frustration.

“Certainly,” I said to myself, “a massively successful company such as Apple would not make replacing batteries in a mouse for a Mac difficult. Everything Steve Jobs designed was about elegance.” That shifted my focus. If taking this cover off is super easy, what is the [...]

One thing is clear—life happens! Every day greets us with challenges: a tough assignment at work, a crabby spouse, a friend who pushes our buttons, or just everyday demands of work and family! It takes emotional fitness to weather life’s storms with level-headedness and equanimity. It requires the skill to stay calm under pressure especially when emotions spike.

How often do you brush your feelings aside because you’re just too busy to deal with them? Are they annoying inconveniences? Do you find yourself ignoring a mounting impatience or frustration until you blow?

Estimated reading time: 3 [...]

Often, we hesitate to give feedback, even when it is crucial for the health of a relationship or the success of a team. The fear of hurting feelings, triggering a defensive reaction, or being perceived as overly critical can lead us to hold back.

However, withholding feedback can breed resentment and anger, ultimately causing distance and denying others the opportunity for growth.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes