PHIL: We just watched a documentary on fungi and how the mycelium acts as connections, allowing a strong tree to supply nutrients to a weaker tree. Such mutuality is found everywhere. Bees need flowers just as much as flowers need …
Support Peace in the World by Expanding Your Circle of Trust Read more »
PHIL: I want to talk this week about how we perceive the world. That might sound as if it has nothing to do with relationships, but they are an important part of our lives, and I’ll come to them later. …
How to Integrate Thoughts and Feelings in Your Life Read more »
We were contacted this week by a reader asking about the difference between an argument and a disagreement because the distinction was causing confusion between her, her husband and their adult daughter. These words mean different things to different people, …
How To Avoid a Disagreement Becoming an Argument Read more »
Phil had a relationship in his 30’s where his partner just wanted to be heard, but instead, he would offer advice. He was so accustomed to being called on to fix things like a broken door-lock that such conversations seemed …
Our partners and intimates are not mind readers, yet too often we act as though they are. We are taught in society to be polite, not hurt other’s feelings, be careful what we say and how we say it. In …
It’s Important to Share Your True Feelings in Your Relationship Read more »
MAUDE: Last week we wrote about how important it is to check in regularly with each other. On one of our recent check-ins, I shared with Phil that I was becoming deeply distressed about an area of importance to me …
How to Have Challenging Conversations With Your Partner Read more »
Words matter; what we say and how we say it counts. In a recent blog, Phil mentioned the concept of the inner critic from The Artist’s Way, and how we can work with positive affirmations to help reframe what we …
Positive Words Are Powerful for Your Relationship Read more »
We keep cut flowers in the house and carry them up to decorate the bedroom at night. A morning conversation: “We need to bring the flowers down.” “I’ve done it already.” This is a teeny example of how we work …
In a Successful Relationship You Have to Be Cooperative Read more »
PHIL: So, a little back story first. I’ve sporadically been feeling claustrophobic and overwhelmed by the amount of STUFF that has accumulated around the house. Long story short, after I had taken care of digitizing all our CDs and turned …
How to Stop Irritation Poisoning Your Relationship Read more »
There’s more to active listening than usually gets discussed. We bumped up against this recently, while working on a Secret Project. We were talking, and both of us felt interrupted by the other. We’ve occasionally had this experience of being …