In the hustle and bustle of daily life, where work, responsibilities, and the incessant buzz of technology often drown out the voices of our loved ones, finding a sanctuary for love and connection becomes not just a luxury, but a necessity. This is where the magic of marriage retreats comes into play—a serene oasis designed […]
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Marriage Retreat for Your Relationship
Introduction: The importance of selecting a retreat that aligns with your relationship goals Choosing the right marriage retreat can be a pivotal decision in the journey of your relationship. It’s not just about taking a break from the daily grind but about investing in the foundation of your partnership. The perfect retreat acts as a […]
Good Relationships Are Only Possible Between Adults
Last December, my wife Roni and I were on a research ship. We stayed for 18 days in a tiny 8 by 10 foot twin room on the vessel—in bunkbeds—in order for us to be in Antarctica, South Georgia Island and The Falkland Islands. But staying in very close quarters with someone, even someone you […]
How to Stop Being Critical of Others
Dear Neil: I grew up in a home where I was often criticized for failing to be what I was supposed to be. I was led to believe that I never performed well enough at anything. When I brought home a report card of all A’s with one B+, I was asked why I hadn’t […]
Reflections on Love
Love involves looking at someone subjectively instead of objectively. It asks of me to give my heart to another regardless of whether that person has earned it. In fact, I become willing to overlook the negatives about someone in order to be smitten. I give my heart because I want to be attached to that […]
Perhaps You Don’t Need a Divorce to Create a New Marriage
I once had a colleague who did what I do: he was a marriage therapist. But this gentleman was in his early 90’s, and he had been married 70 years. He talked about his 5 marriages—and his 4 divorces—to his wife of 70 years, all with the same woman, and never with an actual divorce. […]
Why Communication So Often Fails Between Couples
I’ve heard it easily a thousand times from couples I’ve treated in marriage counseling. “We have a hard time communicating,” “We don’t communicate well,” “We get in an argument when we talk,” and a hundred other variations of that theme. The question is why. What happens to couples that once communicated well with each other, […]
Intimacy Skills You Cannot Live “Happily Ever After” Without
If you wish to have a “happily ever after” relationship, here are a series of intimacy skills that you will need: Treat your your spouse/partner with kindness and friendliness, and afford him/her the benefit of doubt. Be true to your word, clarify the limits of what you can do, and respect differences. (Frequently we want to […]
How to Stop Interrupting People
Do you interrupt people a lot? Do loved ones complain that you chime in by cutting them off in conversation? All of us cut into a conversation sometimes, and some interruptions can be helpful or clarifying. You may have an important correction to make, you may have information to add that the other person doesn’t […]
Valentine’s Special: How to Stay Married
Note: This is the second of a two-part series. Click here for part one Love appears to require much less effort in the beginning of a relationship than it does as the relationship matures. Over time, it is so easy to become distant, disconnected or upset with each other—and that’s precisely what people frequently come […]