It seems that boot camps are all the rage these days. I mean, there's probably a Bootcamp for just about anything. Whether it's learning a new language or whipping your body into shape, it's as easy as a google search and a click to find someone willing to sell their knowledge. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm all for earning a living by parting with some of one's hard-earned … [Read more...]
Relationships
Labor of Love: Old School Relationship Tips That Will Keep Your Marriage Strong
Well, it’s labor day weekend and we are all ready to have a good time! The grills are out, the ribs are cooking, the bbq sauce competitions are on, and time with our families is irreplaceable. I’m always excited to see strong black families doing their thing. But I’m also keenly aware of the stigma that has dogged our communities for generations. Often, we are seen as people … [Read more...]
3 Engagement Behaviors That Can Ruin Your Marriage
There's something about a great proposal and you want in. You've seen couples who are doing marriage right and you think you've met "the one." After seeking out marriage advice on google, from your pastor, and your closest married friends, you took the next step. "Will you marry me" has been asked and answered in the affirmative and you're preparing to walk down the aisle. But … [Read more...]
Relationship Goals to Aim For Before and After Marriage
Lately, it's hard to read anything on the internet without a hashtag attached to it. It's gotten to the point that unless there's a hashtag, your sincerity is in question. While I have no intention of furthering this communication hiccup, I couldn't help but take a peek at what passes for #relationshipgoals these days. By and large, I wasn't impressed. However, when it comes to … [Read more...]
Generosity in Marriage: 3 Ways to Outgive Your Spouse
Generosity. It's a word that needs no introduction. Usually, it's attached to some form of financial capability. How much money do we give to charity? Do we pick up the tab when out with friends? How much money do we drop in the homeless man's bucket? However, the fact that generosity encompasses more than finance is not lost on those in love. Strong marriages are built by … [Read more...]
King and Queen: How to Treat Your Spouse Like Royalty
"She's your - Queen to be!" If you've ever seen "Coming to America," these lyrics and the way they are sung stand out in the movie. Sang out of tune and high pitched, it was the first line to the song introducing Eddie Murphy's character, Prince Akeem Joffer, to his bride to be, at least the one who had been arranged for him since birth. After her grand entrance, Akeem attempts … [Read more...]
Freedom in Marriage: 3 Liberating Behaviors That Promote Marriage Success
Marriage has long been characterized by many as an independence killer. It's not unusual to hear antagonistic phrases such as "ball and chain," or "on lockdown," when talking to people about their spouse or about getting married. This stigma, while it hasn't derailed the billion dollar wedding industry, continues to sully the image of truly successful marriages. It is, quite … [Read more...]
Staying in Love When Your Spouse is Your Business Partner
Though it's hard to believe, you and your spouse have finally done it. You've stepped away from the grind of corporate America and have become true entrepreneurs. What was once a side hustle has now become a money maker and together, you're building your own little empire. As excited as you are, you're also aware of some hard truths. Managing your own business takes work...hard … [Read more...]
20 Marriage Quotes for a Lifelong Marriage Beyond the Wedding
On a recent episode of The Steve Harvey Show, he interviewed a couple who had been married for 82 years. The husband was 103 and his wife was 100 years old. Even though they were centenarians, their chemistry was still so palpable. He had courted her for three months before they got married and 82 years later, they were still going strong. It was a refreshing conversation to … [Read more...]
3 Ways Marrying Your Best Friend Ensures a Lifetime of Love
I married my best friend. Not everyone gets to say that so I'm grateful. At the time my now husband proposed, we'd been dating for a year and a half. We got married four months after he popped the question. We didn't need anything too fancy, or pricey. Rather than simply prepare for a wedding together, we prepared for a lifetime together. That's what marrying your best friend … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Love Yourself So You Can Truly Love Your Spouse
To many people, this article may seem pointless. On its face, it seeks to deliver information that seems obvious. Love yourself. Okay. Yeah. But if you think about it, how many of us really take those words to heart. We get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that we give lip service to the very thing that makes life rich. Self-love is essential to a productive, happy … [Read more...]
Husbands: 5 Ways to R-E-S-P-E-C-T Your Wife
In a recent article, I offered up five ways a wife can show respect to her husband. Well, now, it's the men's turn. As it stands, respect is a two-way street. However, the respect from man to woman has somewhat of a different feel. As previously quoted from Ephesians 5:33, a husband "must love his wife as he loves himself." When you say to a man "respect your wife," you're … [Read more...]
Successful Communication in Marriage Between the Introvert and the Extrovert
So, you think you've found "the one." He's courted you for a while and you've had a successful exclusive relationship. He popped the question and you gave him the answer he was hoping for. As you go about the business of building a lifelong relationship a few things come to light. You realize that your personality differences can lead to disaster if you don't fully grasp the … [Read more...]
Unhappy Marriage Signs: Top 4 Reasons Your Wife is Pulling Away
One of the main reasons we get married is the way the other person makes us feel. When someone makes you feel good, you want that person to stick around, right? But as the relationship grows, it becomes deeper than that. It’s not just about how good the person makes you feel, but how well the two of you are together. Marriage unites people on a deeper level than feeling alone. … [Read more...]
Toxic Relationship: 7 Signs the Bad Outweighs the Good in Your Relationship
Knowing the signs of a toxic relationship is one of the most crucial steps in saving your relationship in the long run. It will open your eyes and show you the unhealthy relationship characteristics you must not tolerate. And while there are different types of relationships, you must see to it to not turn yours into a toxic one. Sure, it's quite exhausting to even imagine … [Read more...]