Reading Corner

Links related to the weekly posts.

 

By Posted on Posted in Presence, Reading, Relationships, Successful Relating

This week, we wrote about why it’s important to be present in your relationships. These three articles discuss why and offer suggestions on how to act.

The Importance of Presence in Relationships: Cultivating Intimacy and Communication through Mindfulness “Being present in a relationship means being fully engaged and attentive to your partner. This means setting aside distractions and focusing on the moment, paying attention to what your partner is saying, and actively listening to their thoughts and feelings. This type of presence helps to create an environment of open communication, trust, and understanding”

Why You Have to Share What You Really Feel and Want in Relationships “Relationships thrive in an environment of emotional safety, openness, and authenticity. This means that both people involved need to feel safe with each other, be safe for each other, and be willing to express themselves openly and authentically.”

The Beginner’s Guide to Being Present “A set of three studies from 2018 found evidence to suggest mindfulness can promote increased acceptance in romantic relationships. Being more present with your partner also seemed to have a positive impact on relationship satisfaction overall. Instead of letting your mind wander to your partner’s quirks or mistakes, or things you wish they would do, try focusing on the moment-to-moment experience of your relationship. This can make it easier to both enjoy the many things you appreciate about your partner and address problems or concerns as they happen.”

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This week, we wrote about how to strengthen your relationships with appreciation and acknowledgment. Here are three articles that offer suggestions on how to do that.

The Importance of Appreciation in a Relationship “Just how important is appreciation in a healthy relationship? “I feel, as human beings, we constantly crave for positive attention. And appreciating someone is the best way to go about doing it. The problem starts when we don’t even notice how we slipped into the habit of taking each other for granted and stopped caring for, and appreciating each other. This leads to other problems – arguments, frustration, resentment and suddenly we begin to wonder if this relationship is meant to work out.”

6 Small But Impactful Ways to Show Your Partner More Appreciation “Whatever the specifics of your last interaction, chances are very high that it was maaaybe more along the lines of “what do you want to eat for dinner tonight” than “you’re the best partner; I can’t even believe I get to do life with you; how did we get so lucky; hashtag blessed.” And listen: That’s normal! But it’s also worth noting that showing your partner more appreciation is one of the best and easiest ways to ensure that your relationship stays healthy and wonderful over time. Getting back to a place where you show your partner more gratitude on a consistent basis is a game-changer for intimacy and increased connection in a relationship over time.”

Cultivating Gratitude in Relationships: Why Appreciation Can Deepen Our Connections “Sometimes we take people for granted. We assume they’ll always be there, or we neglect to consider the effort and love they show us. The things they do for us may be smacking us right on the head, yet our mind wanders to how they could be doing more. Perhaps we look around us and see the relationships people have and daydream, thinking you wish your relationships were that way, too. This is the “grass is always greener” mindset… You once were ecstatic to meet this person or have this person in your life, but now it’s only a distant memory.”

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By Posted on Posted in Peace, Reading, Relationships, Successful Relating

This week, we wrote about how peace is not just a verbal concept, but is also a direct experience, and by manifesting it personally, you spread peace in the world. Here are some inspiring writings on peace.

Peace Essay Winners Fishkill Plains Elementary in Hopewell Jct “Peace can mean a lot of things, and really the definition depends on the person. To others peace could mean quiet, relaxing and happiness, but to me peace is Humility, Love, and Caring. These traits are important to peace because if we act with kindness, love, and caring instead of hate then this world will be a better place with peace instead of anger.”

Twenty Ways to Promote Peace in Our World “In the wake of tragedies that shake the foundations of our communities, it becomes imperative to reflect on the concept of peace—not as an abstract ideal, but as a tangible state of well-being that is deeply intertwined with the fabric of individual lives and the broader societal harmony. Peace transcends the mere absence of conflict; it encompasses a state of mental, emotional, and environmental equilibrium where individuals coexist with respect, understanding, and compassion towards each other and the world around them.”

Rigoberta Menchú Tum Reflects on Working Toward Peace “In every corner of the globe the anguished cries for peace can be heard. Millions of people cry in silence, carrying on their shoulders the burden of our tragic, never-ending drive toward confrontation, conflict, and war. These same millions are also bearers of hope, of the unfulfilled quest for peace–a peace that will benefit us all by according dignity to all human beings. This need for peace is universal. From north to south and east to west, each day, with increasing frequency, people are speaking of peace. In some it appears as a speech; in many it is a vague wish or hope; in so many more it manifests itself as the ever-present search by men and women, young and old, to attain humankind’s most cherished principles.”

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In this week’s blog we looked at the importance of respect in your relationship. Many people think this is even more important than communication. Here are some articles on this topic.

The Importance Of Tone “Several weeks ago, I was editing together some video footage for a home movie and was surprised to discover how irritated, negative, and just plain mean I sounded when talking to my wife. I remember most of the interactions that were filmed but not any of the feelings I was quite clearly projecting.”

Relationships and the Importance of Respect “Relationship advice is everywhere and you often hear that the key is communicate – communicate – communicate… You will hear the importance of making clear agreements, having good boundaries and of course the importance of love. Respect however is often mentioned in passing and yet respect is paramount in successful happy relationships, romantic or otherwise.”

Why Is Respect Important In a Relationship? “Love and respect can never be separated in a relationship, especially in a romantic one. It is true that we can respect someone and not really love him, but we can never love anyone without also respecting them.”

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This week, our blog was about avoiding misunderstandings in your relationships. Here are some different perspectives on how to do that.

How to Avoid Misunderstandings with Your Partner “A solid relationship requires avoiding misunderstandings with your partner. Actively listen to your partner and think carefully about what they have to say. Once you’ve decided how you feel about what your partner said, talk to them and express your feelings. Always be open and honest with your partner. If necessary, seek the help of a professional relationship counselor to help you and your partner avoid misunderstandings.”

10 Common Causes of Misunderstanding and How to Solve Them “The process of navigating a relationship requires patience, love, and understanding. There are moments when issues will arise, which takes these three factors to solve and get both parties on track. One of the factors that can keep a relationship in disarray is a misunderstanding. Usually, misunderstanding is portrayed by having little or no clarity about something. Misunderstanding is the result of an assumption with no proof. And it would continue to cause conflict in a relationship until things become more transparent. In this piece, we will be looking at how to deal with misunderstandings in relationships and identify the common causes.”

5 Effective Steps to Handle a Misunderstanding With Anybody “When a misunderstanding occurs, who caused the problem? The answer is, everyone involved in the conversation. If you have something to say, it’s up to you to ensure that the person you are delivering your message to have understood what you’ve said. You’d do this by asking a few questions to check that they duplicated your intended message. At the same time, if you’re being spoken to it’s up to you to ensure that you understand what’s been said. If anything is said that you’re not 100% certain you understand, it’s crucial that you ask questions to clarify.”

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