"I'm just afraid everything will change!" Yup…that seems to be the number one fear of most men as they start to entertain the idea of marriage. Maybe it's the horror stories they've heard from other men; or maybe it's the transformation they've seen some women undergo after marriage; or maybe it's just a lack of understanding of what marriage is really all about. The … [Read more...]
Being Mary Jane’s Ugly Truth Episode Challenges Us to Stop Lying About Relationships
When we meet, date and even marry, we really don’t know everything about the person next to us. We are often oblivious to the challenges they’ve faced, the hardships they’ve overcome and the difficulties they endure on a daily basis. If we were honest, we frequently ignore the outward signs of their inward pain and shame and move on with our day. Last night’s episode of … [Read more...]
8 Secrets to Everyday Happiness
By Lia Miller Happiness is a choice. It is not just a way of being, but rather a conscious choice and something you must commit to seeking every day. Happiness is what life is all about; it is what makes the challenges, failures, stresses, and losses, bearable. Happiness fills you up with goodness, inspires you to greatness, and heals all things. Happiness is worthy of … [Read more...]
4 Signs You Know It’s Time to Let a Friendship Go
I have a tendency to hold on to friendships longer than I should because I am loyal and often worry that I may hurt their feelings if I begin to pull away. Can you relate? But the one thing that growing up has taught me, is that life is about phases, changes, and breakthroughs. You can’t be afraid to respond to the whispers (as Mama Oprah likes to say) and the writing on … [Read more...]
8 Types of Girlfriends Every Woman Should Ditch
I'm one that generally likes to focus on the positive. So often we hear that women are catty and they can't work together, or some women will say they don't have female friends for that reason (how is that possible?). That's why I wrote 8 Types of Girlfriends Every Woman Should Have. I'm blessed with an abundance of true die-hard girlfriends. They have my back no matter what … [Read more...]
The 8 Types of Girlfriends Every Woman Should Have
I have always been blessed to be surrounded by some amazing girlfriends in my life. Yes, as the seasons of life change, some have come and gone; some by choice and some by force. But one thing is for certain: we all need a good girlfriend (or two or many) in our lives. There are just some conversations and places that are meant for girlfriends and not necessarily for our … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Tell If Your “Friends” are Toxic
Does anyone out there have toxic friends? You know the kind I mean. The ones that never have anything good to say about ANYbody, including you. The ones with the negative energy that can suck the life out of every person they encounter. The ones that make you feel physically and mentally drained after spending time with them. It’s because they are literally poisoning you … [Read more...]
What If Your Spouse's Best Friend was of the Opposite Sex?
I will start this post off by being completely honest in answering this question; I would definitely find it a bit of a challenge if my husband's best friend happened to be another woman. This subject was presented courtesy of my husband who had a detailed discussion on the topic during his last barber shop visit. I contemplate the dynamics of a best friendship. The people … [Read more...]
Re-Connecting With Your Real Life
I often find myself frustrated with the glaring deficiencies in my teen son's ability to communicate --- what he's saying versus what he means and if he even understands the difference. He says he'll be somewhere when he needs to be picked up but nowadays I can almost gaurantee he'll be somewhere else, waiting for me to call to announce that his driver has arrived. His plans … [Read more...]
Becoming Friends, Again
It can happen to any relationship"”all of the emotional and physical energy that goes with sustaining a marriage, family, house and career can push all the "friendship" out of a relationship. You can wake up one day to the realization that we exist in the same house, but we are not friends like we used to be. Laughing has become a rarity because everything facing the … [Read more...]
Thou Shall Not Lose Thyself In Thy Marriage In 2012
By Franchesca Lane-Warren As we go into the New Year many women around the nation are contemplating strategies to make their marriages and families better. Some of us have resolved to cook more, while others vow to get rid of the "mommy look" and polish up their personal styles. However before we consume our time looking to better ourselves on the outside let's first resolve … [Read more...]
“The Talk” Isn’t The Only Talk To Be Had
As parents when talking about "The Talk" we all mean the same thing: talking to our kids about sex. As far as subjects go, this tops the list as being the most important for reasons from irresponsible procreation to contracting diseases. But what about the other talks you could and/or should be having with your kids? The Better Virtues of Manhood Talk - Being a man is about … [Read more...]