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Body Language
John It’s true – actions do speak louder than words. But body language can speak even louder. It’s easier to recognize how our spoken words and active behaviors affect our relationship. Body language is much more subtle than overt actions, but it does not lie. Body language, just like our verbal language, does need to be clarified, especially when it causes hurt. Things like posture, eye contact, and facial expressions can greatly affect the thermostat of our relationship. By being more conscious and intentional about how we express ourselves through our bodies, we can help that thermostat to stay on the warmer, more loving side rather than on the icy,…
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Contagious Love
Julie: Our son is getting married in six weeks and four days – but who’s counting? He is our first child to tie the knot, and we are beyond excited! Last weekend was our first bridal shower. It was a delight to watch our son and future daughter-in-law as they were showered with gifts and, more importantly, with love from our family and friends. It was a day of joy, fun, and laughter. It even brought a few tears as I thought about my mom and sister and how much they would have loved our daughter-in-law to be and enjoyed celebrating this moment in our son’s life. As I…
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F.I.N.E.
We all know the scenario . . . How was your day? Fine. Yours? O.K. (Silence . . .). Where’s the remote? There’s no shorter lie than F.I.N.E.
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Happy Holidays? In 2020? Yes!
“It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” ― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Whether our holiday family traditions have been around for generations or started in our own marriage, one thing is for certain – 2020 has upended them all.
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So Over COVID!
Photo Credit: Gabriel Benois on Unsplash We are so very over Covid -19 — Zoom meetings, air hugs, frightful news, conflicting information, data overload and face masks — All of it! We long for real gatherings, real hugs, and the freedom to breathe in the air without worry.
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How to Foster Teamwork – A Starter List
Discuss expectations before starting a project or free time spent together As a couple, discuss priorities to spend your time Make time commitments together as a couple Look at individual gifts and how to best use them for your relationship CHOOSE your attitude before starting work together Choose to support your spouse’s to-do’s, job, dreams, etc. Other-centeredness, generosity & selflessness vs. independence, self-absorption & stubbornness Focus on why you married each other Choose to believe that your spouse’s intentions are positive Examine behaviors when you struggle with teamwork What do my words tell my spouse? What does my tone of voice and body language convey? I’m impatient, I don’t care,…
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Be Curious
Oh, to Be Curious like a child. If you have young kids or grandchildren, you know what we mean. “Why” and “How” are innocent questions, filled with wonder and awe. Pure curiosity.
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4 Ways to Keep the Sexual Pilot Light Lit
Julie – It finally happened. After two years of extreme caution, COVID finally found us. First John, then me. John? Like a bad cold that lingered. Me? Pretty much the sickest I’ve ever been in my life and still battling fatigue a month later. We didn’t kiss each other for a couple of weeks, much less think about making love. Heck, my sleeping was so erratic and restless that we didn’t even sleep in the same bed for weeks. Physical or mental illness, childbirth, surgery, kids who constantly want to sleep with mommy and daddy, changing hormones, or the death of a close family member can wreak havoc on the sexual…
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Supporting Your Spouse While Maintaining Individuality
Photo by Alexa Williams When we were dating, supporting each other in our hopes and dreams seemed easy. As we get older, it is more difficult at times to set aside our own individual wants and focus on each other’s desires. We’ve noticed that the times we were strongest as a couple were the very times we set our own desires aside in order to support each other in the ways we each needed most.
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Affirmations That Will Make Your Heart Soar!
Photo Credit: Peter Boccia on Unsplash In our last post, we shared with you 50 ways to live an Intentional Marriage. This week we want to focus on one — the Power of Affirmation. The effects of self-affirmation and the power of positive thinking are well know in self-help literature. Being affirmed by your spouse elevates this power exponentially. In this post we will talk about what constitutes a good affirmation and why it is so effective, especially in the presence of others.
