Life isn't always easy. Sometimes you think maybe I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed today, only to realize that you've been waking up on the wrong side of the bed every day for months. So of course, when that realization hits you, you start looking for someone to blame. After all, it can’t possibly be your entire fault, right? Unfortunately, you later find yourself … [Read more...]
Divorce School Required for Oklahoma Couples With Children
Under a new bill signed into law last week in Oklahoma, couples who wish to divorce and have children will be required by law to go through an education program before their divorce is granted. The law will go into affect in on November 1, 2014. The sponsors of the bill, state Representative Jason Nelson (R) and Senator Rob Standridge (R), say the purpose is to educate … [Read more...]
4 Reasons to Stop Using Divorce as a Problem Solving Tool
For the love of God, would you please stop using divorce as a way to solve marital problems!? For the last few months, I’ve been giving relationship advice on my website. People have been submitting their questions privately, using an alias to protect their true identity, and I respond directly to their email address. Nothing gets posted online. And let me tell ya…yall … [Read more...]
9 Signs That Your Marriage May Be in Trouble
This is the follow-up to 9 Signs Your Marriage Will Stand the Test of Time. Here is the thing about human nature; when things are great, we want to shout it from the rooftop, but when things are crappy we retreat. It happens to the best of us. That's why when we find out friends or loved ones are getting divorced it can be a bit of a surprise. Sure, there are couples … [Read more...]
5 Unexpected Things that Could Be Destroying Your Marriage
Often when we think about what damages a relationship, our minds turn to money troubles or infidelity. And although those are very real issues for many couples, there are several other things in life that can contribute to the demise of your marriage. We’ve all heard how maintaining a marriage is hard work. Well, it’s true. But it’s not only about putting in the work. It’s … [Read more...]
Get Out of Survival Mode; 5 Things to Help Your Marriage Thrive
I’ve been married for over 5 years. That's not long by most standards, but long enough for me to realize that making our marriage last isn't about how much we love each other; it’s about our willingness to put in the work. Are we willing to give this thing our all in an effort to not just survive, but to actually thrive as partners? Sometimes when you hear people talk about … [Read more...]
5 Conversations You Can’t Afford to Avoid When You’re Married
People always say that marriage is hard work, and it is, but what makes it harder is when couples avoid having difficult conversations. The reason for avoidance can vary. Anything, from discomfort to fear to a simple oversight, can lead a couple to miss out on a discussion that could very well make all the difference in the type of marriage they have. When couples avoid … [Read more...]
7 Things You May Be Doing to Sabotage Your Marriage
We all have baggage. It may be heavier for some of us than it is for others, but we all have it. The question is, how do we manage that baggage – and even more importantly – what happens if we don’t get rid of it (or at least learn how to keep it from damaging any part of our lives) before we end up in a committed relationship? We can go into our relationships with so much … [Read more...]
Baby Steps; 5 Small Things You Can Do to Get Your Marriage Back on Track
Marriage is not something to be taken lightly. Most people get that. And as a result, they walk into this partnership planning to stay in it… forever. But life happens and people start to wonder things like, “this is not what I expected, what do I do?” or “ I feel like too much damage has been done, how can we possibly fix this?” It can happen to the best of us. So, when … [Read more...]
Are You Unaware of the “Fault Lines” in Your Marriage?
You have probably experienced storms in your marriage. Most marriages can withstand a storm or two every now and then. Storms can typically be predicted, just like real weather-related storms can. And you can usually tell how long they will last. While storms can come and go quickly, and many times predictably, other marriage issues may seem to come out of nowhere. Similar … [Read more...]
Do You Believe that Marriage’s Biggest Challenges Can Be Good For You
Money problems are the number one reason marriages end in divorce. Everyone knows this, and many have witnessed it. The finances in your marriage have the potential to be your biggest obstacle to having an awesome marriage. I'm convinced every marriage has dealt with this obstacle regardless how much money they have. My marriage is no different. I can truly say money … [Read more...]
Everybody Won’t Be Happy Because You Are Happy
One of the biggest letdowns after getting married is realizing that everybody isn't happy that you are happily married. The bachelor and bachelorette parties, the showers, the beautiful wedding, and the laughter-filled reception make the fantasy of getting married come alive. All seems well after the honeymoon "“that is until people start getting in your business and causing … [Read more...]
“A Closed Mouth Does Not Get Fed”
Have you ever intentionally kept quiet or beaten around the bush instead of coming right out and saying what's on your mind? In certain circles you lose opportunities when you don't verbalize certain ideas, thoughts and feelings. We may miss sharing an innovative concept at work that could have potentially resulted in a promotion. Or we may even fail to speak up on how … [Read more...]