When stress enters the narratives of a relationship, people are often tempted to try and jump directly to problem solving. This is problematic because they are often not in the right place to effectively problem solve. Try the two steps listed below, first. Three Things that Every Healthy Couple Does: 1. De-escalate stress points. In…
Being hurt by someone is not an excuse to hurt someone else. We have very little control over the hurt that is inflicted upon us but we have 100% control over what we do with that hurt. Do we turn it into motivation for something good and redemptive or do we revel in it, making…
If you've not read the book, The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce, by Judith Wallerstein, I would highly encourage you to do so. Not every marriage can be saved. I get that. But there are many that can. People stop because it seems easier to get divorced. Those consequences seem more palatable–severe and difficult for sure–but…
The truth is your marriage, my friend’s marriage and my marriage is mortal. They can all die, which is why we must be vigilant in protecting our marriages. We must cultivate them.
When things are going ravishingly well, we must work at it. When dry and difficult times come we must work at it.
Admitting that our bodies are mortal does not mean that we want to die prematurely. The same is true for marriages. When I was married I made a promise to stay that way until death separated us and I meant it.
Denying that my marriage is mortal doesn’t make that promise any stronger. It does not make my marriage stronger, in fact I think it makes it more vulnerable.
"Resilience is distinct from mere survival, and more than mere endurance. Resilience is often endurance with direction. Where are you headed? Why are you going there?" (26) ~Eric Greitens, Resilience. pp. 25 Related articles It's not what happens, it's how we attach meaning that matters Points to Ponder (Life Lessons Style) Want Students with Grit?…
In large measure, what is causing this crisis of American childhood is a lack of connectedness. We mean two kinds of connectedness—close connections to other people, and deep connections to moral and spiritual meaning.
"Great endeavors are usually fueled, at least in part, by an irrational passion. Let's not glorify irrationality, but let's recognize that if you look rationally at the odds of succeeding at anything worthwhile, you'll often end up with a rational decision to surrender. To go on anyway, you have to be a little crazy."
We all have battles to fight.
At the Joe Martino Counseling Network, we want to make counseling as convenient as possible for you. We have three offices located in the Greater West Michigan area. Grand Rapids. Creative Solutions Counseling We have an office on East Paris Ave called Creative Solutions Counseling. You can find more information by clicking here. Lowell. Joe…
I was talking to a seasoned couple the other day. They were relaying a story that had happened to them in their everyday life. They were laughing about it. I asked them if they understood how many couples would have been fighting over the very same thing that they were laughing about. The husband looked…
