It is difficult to become a good, compassionate listener who both validates the pain of the other while maintaining the ability to look at themselves. Each person must listen compassionately to themselves and each other. Within many relationships, rather than engaging in compassionate listening, many couples polarize. One partner is the voice of reason, the…
The truth is relationships are rarely perfect and are often rocky. Julie de Azevedo Hanks, LCSW, a professional therapist for 20+ years and married for 26 years says, “We have this unrealistic expectation about what love is – it’s bliss, it’s happiness. It’s really about growth. We have to ask, ‘Am I still growing in…
Countess of Grantham: “You’ve been talking to Isabel….” Earl of Grantham: “I have been talking to Cora” Countess of Grantham: “That is a mistake.” Lord Grantham: “You can’t expect me to avoid talking to my own wife.” Countess of Grantham: “Why not? I know several couples who are very happy who haven’t spoken in years.”…
My friends Jennifer and Patrick Youngblood are one of the three couples who modeled to me what a great marriage looks like. These two are both very opinionated and strong-willed. They’re also both successful entrepreneurs in their own right. Jennifer is a bestselling author and Patrick is one of the most brilliant branding/packaging/marketing minds I…