We hear a lot of helpful tips about ways that spending quality time together helps couples strengthen their marriage, find new, common interests and keep the relationship fresh. Trying a new hobby, meeting new friends and even just making time for regular date nights are just a few examples of ways couples can grow closer in the relationship, especially during those times when the stuff of everyday life seems to risk squeezing out any room for intimacy (and not just the bedroom kind).But there’s another, often-overlooked activity that some couples report has done wonders for their relationship: community service.
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June 26, 2014
by Christie Hunter
Becoming a parent is like a dream come true, particularly if the baby is your first born. However, these happy emotions are also accompanied by the fear of losing your old life. Mothers worry about taking care of the baby, while fathers usually have financial considerations. If someone is comfortable with his/her routine, then resisting any major change is natural.
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Many couples already understand that listening to each other is critical to building and maintaining a good relationship. On the other hand, too often they equate “listening” with simply remaining quiet while the other person speaks. In their own head they might be thinking, “Oh, I’ve heard all this before.” Maybe they’re busy thinking of the best response before their partner is even done talking.
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Intimacy is one of the most important facets of a relationship. It is the connection and bond formed between two individuals; and the deeper the connection and bond, the higher the intimacy. In a relationship, intimacy can be experienced both emotionally and physically. When it comes to sex, some believe the act of sex creates deeper intimacy, whereas others feel that intimacy leads to sex.
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Sex is an uncomfortable topic for an awful lot of people, as if by definition it’s dirty and shameful. Nothing could be further from the truth. It’s one of the most natural, human elements of life, and one of the healthiest, too, when it’s sex between two people who love, respect and are committed to each other.
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June 18, 2014
by Caleen Martin
Why is it that we are so good at caring for others and so dysfunctional when it comes to caring for ourselves? Our culture has trained us to be givers, not takers. The problem is that being the proverbial 'good girl/boy' will literally rob us of our lives. We find that we never seem to have time for ourselves, our relationships become one-sided and we become more resentful towards others over time.
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One of the hardest things to do, whether it is with a partner, a friend, a parent, or someone else, is to earn trust. Even harder is earning trust from someone who was hurt in the past. Even if they were hurt by someone other than you, people who have been burnt tend to have a hard time trusting, in general. Here are some things you can do to earn the trust of someone who has been hurt in the past.
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This issue can be very frightening and very challenging, especially if you have romantic feelings for your friend but you don't know if your friend feels the same way about you. Tread lightly. Although some people have found true happiness by getting involved with and then marrying a former friend, some people have tried to get romantically involved with a friend, only to lose the romance, as well as the friendship. Here are some thoughts on how you can approach this issue if you have feelings but don't know if your friend feels the same way.
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June 1, 2014
by Christie Hunter
According to Rotbart (2012)2, it is very important for parents to realize that they are not giving enough time to their young ones. The author said that parenting meditation is the key to successful parenting and time management. Parenting meditation is a practice in which parents have to force themselves to focus on their little ones. The study highlighted that parents should put in efforts to make a bond with their children and win their trust.
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Do you ever see a problem coming a mile away—a potential conflict between you and your partner—and spend hours (at least in the back of your mind) worrying about it? The good news is, it’s normal. Like kids worried about showing our parents a poor grade, we often blow things out of proportion. We assume that if we have bad news for our partner, he or she is going to have a terrible reaction.
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