Emotions are feelings that we all experience. Some emotions we think of as positive – such as love, hope, optimism, and joy. Others we often perceive as negative – hate, anger, pessimism, and resentment. However, I would submit that there really aren’t positive and negative emotions. Feelings just are. We may be happy or sad…
We all have them – triggers. However, we are not all aware that we do or even what they are. For example you may notice that you are talking with your spouse and they make an innocent comment, such as “You know what you should do,” and suddenly your stomach begins to churn and you…
I know that is a weird question, but it was prompted by the experience of an elementary school teacher. One day, while teaching a particular lesson, she asked the question, “Is the truth true for everyone. Thinking the answer was obvious, she was shocked to discover that many of her students thought that truth was…
Author Willard Harley wrote a book years ago titled, “Love Busters.” In it he compared the love that we give and receive to our mate with managing our checking accounts. For example, with our bank accounts, we make deposits and withdrawals. Similarly, in our significant relationships, we make love deposits and love withdrawals. As long…
I recently read a quote by author Matthew Kelly in which he said, “The Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa talk about ‘the Two Hungers.’ There is the Great Hunger and the Little Hunger. The Little Hunger yearns for food while the Great Hunger, the greatest hunger of all, is the hunger for…
I recently read a heart-warming story about a 38-year-old woman who had to go to her office on January 31, 2022. There was a snowstorm that was predicted, but she felt confident that she would have time to get there and get back home before the snowstorm hit. As she was about to leave her…
Have you ever heard someone make the statement, “He/She just brings out the worst in me?” Usually, the statement is made by the person who has just reacted angrily, said something inappropriate, or done something foolish. But rather than own their misbehavior, they attempt to place the blame on the other person by making it…
How would you sum up what a great apology looks like? You probably want it to be sincere, but what else? There are certainly things that can cancel out an apology. For example, if someone has deeply hurt you and they toss a flippant “Sorree,” your way, I doubt that you feel any better. You…
What does that question even mean? When you hear that question, I wonder what comes to mind for you? For some, it conjures up pictures of laying on the beach, listening to the waves, with a cold drink in your hand, which somebody comes and refills without you even having to ask. Or perhaps it…
We often hear that “It’s not the quantity of time we have together but the quality of time that counts.” While this isn’t completely accurate, because we need a certain quantity of time in order to have quality time. I mean, if I have good quality time with my spouse for 5 minutes a day,…