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Conflict Resolution Articles
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- Why Forgiveness? - by Submitted on Oct 20, 2012 from Amy Torres"Webster's Dictionary" defines forgiveness as "ceasing to feel resentment against someone who has offended us in some way." How do we cease to feel resentment towards someone we feel has harmed us -- especially if that person in no way acknowledges any wrong doing? And why would we want ...
Views: 1675(2 votes) - ***What to Do When Your Partner Has Become Your Enemy - by Submitted on Oct 12, 2012 from Sharon RivkinWhere has all the love gone that you once felt for your partner? Do you seem to fight about everything? Has your partner become your enemy? How did it happen? These are common questions I address time and time again in my private practice. The process of “building a case against our ...
Views: 12188(3 votes) - I Don't Do Ugly - by Submitted on Oct 11, 2012 from Janet PfeifferShe's strikingly beautiful: tall, large oval-shaped eyes, full lips, dark flowing hair. Her exotic look could land her on the cover of any fashion magazine. Her personality perfectly suits her ample frame. She's outgoing and bubbly, intense and opinionated and I've enjoyed the two years she's ...
Views: 2374 - ***The Downfall of Fall - by Submitted on Oct 05, 2012 from Sharon RivkinAs summer ends, we see the light changing and the days becoming shorter and shorter. That fall chill in the air seems to come out of nowhere, and we often begin to sense sadness and maybe even depression, prompting us to think, what’s that all about? Though fall is beautiful with the leaves ...
Views: 1633 - ***Seven Ways to Ruin Your Marriage - by Submitted on Sep 26, 2012 from Sharon RivkinUnless someone is completely vicious, no one enters a marriage with the intention of destroying it, yet the divorce rate gets higher every year and couples, even if they don’t divorce, are often unhappy and in loveless marriages. By being aware of what you may be doing in your marriage that ...
Views: 1870 - ***Have We Gone Too Far with List Making? 5 Reasons to Hang On or Let Go of Your Latest Love - by Submitted on Sep 14, 2012 from Sharon RivkinWe’re a cult of list makers. We make to-do lists, grocery lists, packing lists, and now a list of must-have qualities for our potential partner. She needs to be independent, yet be devoted; he needs to earn a good living, yet have enough time for her. He needs to have follow-through on his ...
Views: 1512 - ***Giving Up the Fantasy of the Perfect Mate, What REAL Marriages Are All About - by Submitted on Sep 14, 2012 from Sharon RivkinWe all seem to think that we need to find our perfect mate or soul mate. But does a perfect mate even exist and, if so, does this mean that the only way to be happy is to find this perfect soul mate? What if you don’t? What if you spend your entire life looking, only to end up alone in your ...
Views: 2485 - 3 Ways to Make Conflicts Healthy for Couples - by Submitted on Sep 12, 2012 from Jean CapangpanganWhen we don't understand what happened in the conflict, we always look for WHAT or WHO caused the conflict. While trying to figure things out, it's helpful that we trace and discuss things over. However, if people are quick to put a blame on people frantically, this is a problem. Blaming is ...
Views: 1700(1 vote) - ***Getting Back In So You Can Finally Stay Out - by Submitted on Sep 06, 2012 from Sharon RivkinOne of the hardest things to do is to leave a relationship. A more difficult undertaking is staying out. Maybe it wasn’t so bad. Maybe I didn’t try hard enough. Maybe she could change after all. Maybe I could put up with more than I thought; after all, I do love him. When we leave our ...
Views: 1604 - ***Formula for Creating a Strong and Healthy Marriage - by Submitted on Sep 06, 2012 from Sharon RivkinThe healthiest and longest lasting relationships don’t just happen because a couple fell in love. The majority of strong and healthy marriages are created by using a formula composed of six vital elements. 1. Good/open/honest communication and a willingness to change. This happens with ...
Views: 1662 - Is It Time To Stop Sleeping In? - by Submitted on Sep 04, 2012 from Geoff LaughtonThree years ago, a young 22-year-old man my son knew was walking along a local overpass that is one of the busiest traffic corridors in the Boulder area. For some reasons that we’ll never really know, this young man – deeply loved by his family and his friends – made a decision; one that ...
Views: 1717 - ***Can Spouses Have Friends with the Opposite Sex? The Do’s and Don’ts for Making it Work - by Submitted on Aug 31, 2012 from Sharon RivkinMale or female friendships are usually a threat to the primary relationship, but they really don’t HAVE to be. What fears us the most is the sexual aspect of this oftentimes complicated relationship. It’s difficult to keep the friendship platonic, given that 90% of the time, one of the friends ...
Views: 3038(1 vote) - ***Can a Democrat Stay Happily Married to a Republican? - by Submitted on Aug 24, 2012 from Sharon RivkinIn these tough times of economic and political turmoil, with a critical Presidential election right around the corner, everyone is talking politics. Hot political debate is being fueled around the dinner table, over coffee, over drinks, and at parties. The upcoming election is in the air! ...
Views: 4441(2 votes) - ***A Healthy Marriage Doesn’t Happen Out of the Blue: Five Must-Do Secrets that Really Work - by Submitted on Aug 24, 2012 from Sharon RivkinWe seem to prepare for everything in our life – jobs, exams, etc. Why then don’t we prepare for a successful marriage? According to divorce statistics, it is estimated that between 40 and 50 percent of first marriages end in divorce in the United States. Without realizing it, most couples have ...
Views: 1561 - ***Has Your Spouse Become Your Enemy? - by Submitted on Aug 24, 2012 from Sharon Rivkin3 Steps to Resolving Your Fights and Loving Each Other Again Months before they married, Kyle told Hilary that he wanted to dance with her at their wedding. Hilary agreed, and they signed up for dancing lessons. But when the wedding day arrived, the train on Hilary’s dress made it too ...
Views: 2342 - Controlling Anger - by Submitted on Aug 23, 2012 from Edward GoodenWhat Is Anger? All of us feel anger. Some of us get angry very often. Some are able to control the anger. Some of us express our anger freely, whereas some suppress it. Why do we get angry? Is there any way to control the anger? How to do that? Causes Of Anger We get angry when we are ...
Views: 1901 - The Seven Steps to Healthy Parent/Child Relationships - by Submitted on Oct 29, 2014 from Julie Roberts, Ph.D.The world in which we live is violent in large part due to how we raise our children. We assume that children are small and undeveloped and without the need for freedom and personal choice. However, we traumatize them by making demands, creating unnecessary limits, not listening to them and not ...
Views: 1889(2 votes) - Dr. Romance (with Alex Franzen) "Do. Not. React" - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2012 from Tina TessinaDO. NOT. REACT. Tips for surviving & mastering confrontation, with grace —in business & in love. Pop quiz, people: How do you drop an atom bomb of sudden, unexpected (and quite possibly, undesirable) information on someone you care about — without behaving like a cruel, ...
Views: 1908(2 votes) - Until you confront the person who you are upset with, you will not be able to move forward in any part of your life - by Submitted on Jun 09, 2012 from Donna LeeAs a spiritual coach, my job is to show clients how cause and effect plays into their life. Many people do not understand that their actions or lack of action can create an ongoing cycle of the same situation repeating over and over until it is dealt with. People often believe that they can just ...
Views: 6138(2 votes) - A Little Whine Can be Good for your Health - by Submitted on Jun 08, 2012 from Linda SapadinA recent article in the Wall St. Journal, “For a Nation of Whiners, Therapists Try Tough Love”, has created quite a stir in the psychological community. The author advocates that therapists should provide ‘tough love’ for their clients, firing those who can’t stop complaining. “Crybabies be ...
Views: 1660 - Why We Argue - by Submitted on Jun 06, 2012 from Susan Schwartz, Ph.D.In the midst of an argument with your partner there is no time to step back and ponder why this is happening, or to evaluate what about this disagreement is upsetting you so much. You can rely on the fact that when any of us are reactive in a variety of ways it shows we have some old issues, ...
Views: 2151(1 vote) - Expat Retirement Works Best When Cultural Differences Understood and Appreciated - by Submitted on Jun 15, 2012 from Susan KlopferTo survive as a stranger in a strange land – a visitor in a new land – requires education and enough personal depth to avoid unfair prejudices that result from ethnocentrism. AFTER WORKING nearly eight months months to get a special “pensionada” visa, scouting out the correct pet carriers to ...
Views: 2165 - Seven Powerful Ways to Make Your Marriage Last - by Submitted on Jun 01, 2012 from Sharon RivkinMarriage is supposed to last “forever,” isn’t it? When we decide to get married, we truly believe that forever will happen. Sometimes that’s easier said than done, because most of us don’t have realistic guidelines or tools to know how to make a marriage last. When we fall in love, we usually ...
Views: 3954(5 votes) - How to Affair-Proof Your Marriage - by Submitted on Jun 01, 2012 from Sharon RivkinAccording to statistics, 45 or 55 percent of married women and 50 to 60 percent of married men engage in extramarital sex at some time or another during their relationship. An affair is one of the most difficult challenges a couple can face, and nothing destroys a marriage faster than marital ...
Views: 2261(3 votes) - Affairs: The Ultimate Challenge - by Submitted on Jun 01, 2012 from Sharon RivkinAn affair is one of the most difficult challenges a couple can face. It is a powerful catalyst that can either end the relationship or take it to a greater level of intimacy. An extreme symptom of a relationship that has been in trouble for some time, affairs do not happen out of the blue. ...
Views: 2241(2 votes) - Change Your Language, Change Your Relationship: How We Say Things Does Matter - by Submitted on Jun 01, 2012 from Sharon RivkinThat old phrase, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me” is not really true. Words may not inflict visible bruises like sticks and stones, but they pack a punch nonetheless. They injure our insides, our feelings, and our self-esteem. External bruises are tangible ...
Views: 2718(4 votes) - Does Your Spouse Steal the Limelight? - by Submitted on Jun 01, 2012 from Sharon RivkinDoes your spouse take credit for your ideas? Or do people compliment your spouse for tasks or projects that you did? Do you get the credit where credit is due? For example, Jill herself maintains a beautiful garden and takes a lot of pride in it. One day, a neighbor comes to visit the couple ...
Views: 3407(2 votes) - Five Steps for Letting Go of Hurt in Your Marriage - by Submitted on Jun 01, 2012 from Sharon RivkinOne of the greatest desires married couples have is to stay together forever and have a happy, healthy relationship. But what about past hurts that you can’t let go of? Are they creating more pain than happiness in your relationship? When you get hurt by your partner, you lose trust and ...
Views: 2473(1 vote) - Relationship Red Flags: 5 Tips for Identifying Your Negotiables and Non-Negotiables - by Submitted on Jun 01, 2012 from Sharon RivkinYou’re in a new relationship, and you’re starting to see some red flags, warning you that the relationship may not be a good bet, but does that mean you should leave? How many red flags does it take to make that decision? How do you know if the red flags mean future disaster, or are just a ...
Views: 3239(3 votes) - Seven Warning Signs of a Troubled Relationship - by Submitted on Jun 01, 2012 from Sharon RivkinWhen is it time to say, “My relationship is in trouble, and we need help”? How do you know when that time is? When couples wait too long to ask for help, the relationship may be beyond repair. The sooner help is sought, the better chance there is of recovering, saving, and actually ...
Views: 2394(1 vote) - Navigating You and Me with Love and Compassion: Can Being Wrong Be Alright? - by Submitted on May 31, 2012 from Ragini MichaelsEveryday Dilemma: Should I point out my thinking and doing is right, even though you’re telling me I’m wrong? Or, should I take the high road, avoid conflict, and let you believe I’m wrong and you’re right? ‘You’re wrong!’ Those words were a red flag to my bull. I love being right; and ...
Views: 1288 - Navigating You & Me With Love & Compassion: You’re Not The Boss O’Me! - by Submitted on May 31, 2012 from Ragini MichaelsEveryday Dilemma: Should I follow my urge to take control of this project, do it my way, efficiently and quickly, and risk a fight? Or should I just breathe deep, surrender to my partner’s way, and opt to keep the peace to get the project done? My mom and dad never fought over cooking. But ...
Views: 1228 - How to Communicate More Effectively with a Difficult Ex - by Submitted on May 29, 2012 from Nancy KayDoes your stomach churn at the thought of having to communicate with your ex? Would you rather clean out a 45 gallon fish tank than contact your ex about the kids’ holiday schedule? Many former spouses continue to experience significant difficulties in the ways that they communicate with each ...
Views: 1611(2 votes) - The Relationship between Self Harm and Stigma - by Submitted on May 23, 2012 from Jennifer McLeodSelf injury or self harm, generally speaking, is a wider range of different things individuals do to themselves which is either in a deliberate or hidden way. It includes burning, cutting, banging the body against hard objects, pulling the hairs, scalding, biting, poisoning, and inserting or ...
Views: 1915(1 vote) - One Part is the Whole - by Submitted on Apr 11, 2012 from Janet PfeifferI have been busy with the media discussing the recent killing of seventeen year old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida. A volunteer with a local neighborhood watch committee observed Martin walking alone wearing a “hoodie” sweatshirt draped over his head. The volunteer, George Zimmerman, called ...
Views: 1802 - Men are from Earth and so are Women - by Submitted on Apr 10, 2012 from Bob LivingstoneThere has been a lot written about how men and women are fundamentally different (Men are from Mars Women are from Venus as an example). There is not much discussed about how the sexes are similar. While several social movements in America have created more equality between the sexes, societal ...
Views: 2059 - ***The Most Important Argument You’ll Ever Have in Your Relationship - by Submitted on Apr 05, 2012 from Sharon RivkinThe first argument is the most crucial argument you will ever have in your relationship, setting the stage for all arguments to follow. Future conflicts will often look and sound like they’re different, but most times are simply variations of the first, unresolved argument. Understanding that ...
Views: 3424(1 vote) - ***How Your First Argument Could Last For 50 Years - by Submitted on Apr 05, 2012 from Sharon RivkinSounds crazy, but it’s true! Simply put, the first argument you have with your partner, if left unresolved, will manifest itself time and time again - in different forms – throughout your entire relationship. When we fall in love and begin a partnership, we temporarily maintain our best ...
Views: 3313(1 vote) - ***A Year Without Arguments? 3 Proven Steps to Stop Fighting and Start Healing - by Submitted on Apr 05, 2012 from Sharon RivkinHave you ever considered a year without arguments? In these times of economic chaos, it is more important than ever to minimize your fighting and disagreements, and create a more harmonious relationship with your spouse and family. Couples simply cannot afford to divorce as easily during a ...
Views: 2074 - Power of Forgiveness - by Submitted on Mar 27, 2012 from Maureen Brennan MercierForgiveness is another tool or jewel for self discovery to assist us on our spiritual journey to enlightenment. The Oxford English dictionary defines forgiveness as such: “to grant free pardon and to give up all claim on account of an offense or debt.” Forgiveness is also about letting go ...
Views: 1316 - When All You Can Do Is Wait - by Submitted on Mar 21, 2012 from Womens Recreation, Inc.There are so many things that happen on a daily basis to add to your stress level. A new project just landed on your desk, the school called, new bills in the mail, and you are waiting for that important phone call or letter. This is the hardest thing to do, just wait. Sure, you can occupy ...
Views: 2250 - How To Handle Difficult Family Members - by Submitted on Feb 23, 2012 from Kimberley CohenA family may include parent(s), sibling(s), partner, children, aunt(s), uncle(s), cousin(s), grandparent(s), grandchildren, step-parent, step brother(s) and sister(s), foster and adoptive families, and in-laws, to name a few. Whew, that's a lot of people to get along with! Whether you have a ...
Views: 2722(1 vote) - Peace Equals Unity - by Submitted on Mar 21, 2012 from Womens Recreation, Inc.Peace is such a wonderful word. It brings about change, a change in mindset, a change in behavior and a real humbling sensation within. When you say peace, it means drop all the weapons both physically and verbally. Peace makes you go deep within yourself and you realize, I don’t want all ...
Views: 2076 - Precautions after Cosmetic surgery - by Submitted on Feb 16, 2012 from Alexis NormanHumans have always been concerned about the beauty throughout the history of civilization. The first ever plastic surgery was reported around 1500 B.C. in India. The ancient surgeon Sushruta has made significant contributions to the field of plastic surgery. He has described various techniques ...
Views: 2038 - Only Funny in the Sunday's - by Submitted on Jan 22, 2012 from Janet PfeifferI love reading the Sunday funnies. One of my favorites is For Better or Worse by Lynn Johnston. In a recent comic, the young child, Mike, was having a bad day. Trying to construct a building out of Lego-type pieces, gravity was working against him as the entire structure collapsed. In a fit of ...
Views: 1895(1 vote) - Part II - Forgiveness - The 5 Things That Keep You From Living the Life of Your Dreams - by Submitted on Jan 19, 2012 from Sandra WapniarskiPart II - Forgiveness - The 5 Things That Keep You From Living the Life of Your Dreams 2. Forgiveness Forgiveness is three fold; forgiving others, asking for forgiveness and forgiving yourself. In my lifetime there were many relationships that were shattered, but the connection to the ...
Views: 1655(1 vote) - New Year's Resolution - by Submitted on Dec 29, 2011 from Kathryn WheatUndeserved Forgiveness. Wow, those 2 words together are powerful! I believe that God grants us undeserved forgiveness and that, in turn, we are meant to allow the same for others. Actually doing it .…..well that’s the hard part. As a Christian, I know and believe that it’s possible to ...
Views: 1524(1 vote) - No Reason - by Submitted on Dec 22, 2011 from Janet PfeifferNo Reason Ten years ago, my Uncle John passed away. Although in his eighty’s, it was hard on his son, Johnny. Three months later, Johnny’s only child, his beautiful fourteen year old daughter, was in a car that plunged into an icy Ohio River where she tragically drowned. Her mother, Johnny’s ...
Views: 1696(1 vote) - Why Good Communication is the Foundation of Enduring True Friendship - by Submitted on Mar 20, 2014 from Barry HammerAgreement or disagreement is much less important than good communication as a way of enabling people to deeply understand each other, and, thereby, gradually develop the ability to feel inwardly close to each other, as caring good friends. Good communication, as the basis of true friendship, ...
Views: 1762 - Stages of Dementia - What to Expect - by Submitted on Dec 02, 2011 from Andy YangThe middle dementia stages can be regarded as as being the most problematic stage for the caregiver and even those individuals that suffer with this ailment. Individuals who suffer from dementia struggle with uncertainty along with discouragement particularly when he/she also have intellectual ...
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