When you’re married to a partner who finds it difficult to open up and communicate with you, you have to get creative. Verbally expressing what you’re feeling, what you need, and what matters most to you, doesn’t come naturally for everyone. So, while you can’t force your spouse to open up and talk to you about anything, you can encourage them by introducing activities and a … [Read more...]
5 Easy Tips for Talking About What’s Bothering You In Your Relationship
Quite a few of the conversations and comments that surface as a result of the articles posted here on BMWK typically focus on something a spouse is or isn't doing. This, of course, always leaves one spouse feeling frustrated and challenged on how to not only discuss it but also repair it. A number of couples struggle with knowing how to properly discuss the trials that arise in … [Read more...]
5 Heartfelt Prayers to Bless Your Marriage
Once a month my church family comes together for corporate prayer. During this time we pray for our church, the community, and each family that each member represents. As we prayed this month, I considered the current state of our communities, marriages, and families and we need prayer. Some people might need prayers to stay strong in their faith. I might need prayers to be a … [Read more...]
Can Applying Relationship Tips from the ’50s Create Stronger Marriages Today?
I found myself particularly amused recently as I listened to an airing of the new D.L. Hughley radio show. D.L. and his midday crew shared an interesting list of marriage philosophies from the 1950s. Which D.L. highlighted, despite our fight for racial equality, helped marriages survive. Relationships of the 50's appeared to have more staying power than most marriages today. … [Read more...]
5 Ways Your Body Language Could Be Impacting Your Spouse
Our body language sometimes has a greater impact on our spouse than our actual words. When I think about the physical interactions humans share, I usually recall an old episode of the Oprah Winfrey show featuring Toni Morrison. The episode focused on one of Toni's books and life in general. What remains with me, even now, is Toni Morrison's instruction to parents. Her message … [Read more...]
Create A “No Regrets” Relationship
Have you ever said something to the person you love that you regretted the moment it left your lips? Your words were more than likely a result of your bruised ego. The intent was probably for someone else to feel as wounded as you did, right? Or, have you ever lost your one true love due to your poor decision making? Only to wish you had one more opportunity to treat that … [Read more...]
Lure Your Marriage Back From Destruction
From time to time quite a few marriages experience periods of not seeing eye to eye, feelings of frustration and thoughts of defeat . Sometimes couples can clearly see the route that lead down that undesirable road. Other times, circumstances build up until they can't even pinpoint exactly what brought them there. As a result, hurt, disappointment and wanting to call it quits … [Read more...]
What Are The Limits in Your Marriage?
I'm a little behind, but I just watched an episode of Oprah's Next Chapter with LL Cool J. It was an amazing conversation. LL and his wife Simone shared a few tips on the success of their 25 year marriage. Simone mentioned what really makes it work is 1) putting God first 2) comprise and 3) picking your battles. She also mentioned how they discovered the limits that shouldn't … [Read more...]
Are Your Personal Insecurities Affecting Your Marriage?
I sometimes browse through old photos of my husband and me and reminisce about the special moments each picture represents. In addition to the memories, I also recognize how each of our appearances have slightly transformed over the course of our 15 year marriage. Yes we are older, but we've also both changed physically. There's been weight gain, gray hairs, hair loss, and … [Read more...]
How Much “Grown Folk” Business Do You Share With Your Children?
Children should grow up in a home which teaches morals, values, and demonstrates what healthy love relationships look like. This type of environment ensures that our children will carry those ideals on into their own families. And a healthy cycle of such a solid foundation will begin to travel through to future generations. I recall back in the day not really discussing love … [Read more...]
Don’t Just Satisfy Your Spouse, Keep Him/Her Interested
Satisfy, a verb meaning to fulfill the desires, expectations, needs, or demands of (a person, the mind, etc.); One would think once all of this is provided there wouldn't be any other issues or challenges in the relationship. Wrong. We all have needs and desires and quite naturally we want them fulfilled. But we are also human beings who need much more than that. Ever notice … [Read more...]
Why Wouldn’t You Wear Your Wedding Ring?
Please excuse me for a moment while I vent. I am always puzzled by married people who consistently choose not to wear their wedding ring. The excuses typically communicated are "people know I'm married" or "the ring is just a piece of jewelry and doesn't define my marriage." In my opinion those reasons are tired and played. Lately, I developed this strange habit of looking … [Read more...]
My “Food Stamp” Challenge
As I have mentioned in previous articles, I spend my days providing job and life training skills to individuals who are at risk of becoming homeless. My evenings are spent coaching individuals and couples on personal challenges. I absolutely love what I do. As a great coach and trainer, I must be willing to go where I coach my clients into going. Basically, I have to be able to … [Read more...]
New Cake Boss Bakeware Will Be Fun for the Whole Family
I'll be honest, I am not known for my baking. I'd rather be eating a piece of cake than making one. Even with that being said, I was extremely excited about an invitation to the Cake Boss and Meyer Corporation launch party. The party was amazing and introduced us to the new line of Cake Boss bakeware. From the beautifully decorated space to the extravagant cakes on display in … [Read more...]
Have You Been Water or Gasoline in Your Marriage Conflicts?
Water vs. Gasoline is a term frequently used in my work. When asked what happens when you put gasoline on a fire, eyes usually get wide and the response is kind of like duh, the fire greatly increases. The follow up question to that one is what happens when you put water on a fire, and again the response comes with a common sense glare as everyone usually says in unison, "the … [Read more...]