Valuing All Relationships: 5 Ways to Make Profound Connections

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Valuing All Relationships: 5 Ways to Make Profound Connections

“Finding the one” and “lucky in love” are phrases that reflect the primacy of romantic relationships in our culture. Though a passionate and profound connection with a life mate is a beautiful adventure, those who choose to focus on other priorities, or have not had the opportunity, may feel that they are missing out on “living happily ever after.” Terms such as “significant other” and “committed relationship” imply a subtle devaluation of other relationships that may keep us from seeing the love that we do have in our lives.

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5 Powerful Ways to Help Someone in Emotional Pain

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5 Powerful Ways to Help Someone in Emotional Pain

Dealing with our own physical and emotional pain is difficult, but responding to the pain of others can be overwhelming. Witnessing or hearing about physical injury calls attention to our vulnerability, and reminds us that our bodies are not invincible. Though broken bones and bloody wounds may unnerve us, we know we can do something to help — be it first aid, finding assistance, or calling 911.

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Agree to Agree: Learn the 2 Types of Agreements for Better Communication

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Agree to Agree: Learn the 2 Types of Agreements for Better Communication

Clear and honest communication is the shortest distance to creating trust in relationships. Whether we are talking to colleagues in the boardroom, children in the kitchen, or partners in the bedroom, we are at risk of creating mistrust and unnecessary negativity when unspoken expectations are not met, and presumed agreements have been broken. When agreements are spoken, truthful and explicit, everyone understands the rules of the road.

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4 Ways to Keep the Peace During Family Gatherings

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4 Ways to Keep the Peace During Family Gatherings

Though some may look forward to gathering for the holiday season, others feel dread when revisiting the tensions of holiday celebrations past. We may have memories of heated discussions, forced chitchat, and awkward moments spent with parents, in-laws, siblings — and even friends with whom we no longer feel a connection. No matter the reason, we have the choice to take a fresh approach to a familiar holiday story. Bringing in our leftover feelings from the past does not serve us or anyone else.

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How did we get here? 3 Steps to Improve Difficult Conversations

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How did we get here? 3 Steps to Improve Difficult Conversations

“You are so inconsiderate. You’re always looking at your phone when I talk to you.”
“Oh, come on, you’re exaggerating.”
“No I’m not. I feel like you don’t care.”
“You’re overreacting!”
“Why are we even together?”
“Let’s face it, no matter what I do, you’re never satisfied.”

Do you recognize yourself in this conversation? You are not alone.

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Why Do I Feel Uncomfortable Around People?

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Why Do I Feel Uncomfortable Around People?

Elliot Alderson, the main character of the popular hacker drama, Mr. Robot, embodies a modern paradox. Though we proficientlyconnect with the masses through technology, some of us can be deeply confused by the nuances of direct human contact. As viewers, we are privy to Elliot’s desolate meditations about his social isolation. In episode 8, he asks us to consider what lurks beneath the murky surface of his social anxiety. “We are all living in each other’s paranoia,” he says in his deadpan drone. “You can’t deny that. Is that why everyone tries to avoid each other?”

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Valuing All Relationships: 5 Ways to Make Profound Connections

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Valuing All Relationships: 5 Ways to Make Profound Connections

“Finding the one” and “lucky in love” are phrases that reflect the primacy of romantic relationships in our culture. Though a passionate and profound connection with a life mate is a beautiful adventure, those who choose to focus on other priorities, or have not had the opportunity, may feel that they are missing out on “living happily ever after.” Terms such as “significant other” and “committed relationship” imply a subtle devaluation of other relationships that may keep us from seeing the love that we do have in our lives.

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Toxic Friend Cleanse: Rid Yourself of Junk Food Relationhips

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Toxic Friend Cleanse: Rid Yourself of Junk Food Relationhips

Have you ever enjoyed spending time with someone, but then walked away feeling unfulfilled or even empty? You had fun, nothing particularly negative happened, but you felt as though something was missing. Looking back, you may not feel the desire to deepen the connection further — or even spend time with them again. There was no excitement when recalling the moments you experienced together, and no sense of loss when you consider that they may not reach out to you in the future.

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Why You Should ‘Give Up the Ghost’ on Ghosting

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Why You Should ‘Give Up the Ghost’ on Ghosting

Having a friend, date, or co-worker be a “no-show” is not a new story, but technology has transformed the “no-show” into a “no muss, no fuss” vanishing act called ghosting. For those of you that have been spared, ghosting is the act of terminating communication with a love interest, and intentionally avoiding contact with no explanation. Though the term specifically refers to dating relationships; we know that our friends, spouses, and relatives are just as capable of vaporizing into the ether.

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