A Great Idea …
“Discussions invariably end on the same note they begin…If you start an argument harshly-meaning you attack your spouse verbally-you’ll end up with at least as much tension as you began. But if you use a softened … Read more
Month: June 2011
Bouncing Back From Trouble
A Great Idea …
“People who make permanent and universal explanations for good events, as well as temporary and specific explanations for bad events, bounce back from troubles briskly and get on a roll easily when they succeed once.” (Psychologist … Read more
Comfort In The Familiar
A Great Idea …
“Children benefit from a family life that has an expected rhythm and routine to it… Children derive comfort from familiarity. . . It helps them feel more control of their lives.” (Laurence Steinberg, psychologist, in his … Read more
Two Sources of Criticism
A Great Idea …
“What causes a spouse to be chronically critical? We have discovered that there are two sources. The first is an emotionally unresponsive partner…The other source of criticism in marriage comes from within. It is connected to … Read more
Joy in the Midst of Misery
A Great Idea …
“Contrary to popular belief, having more than your share of misery does not mean you cannot have a lot of joy as well.” (Psychologist Martin E. P. Seligman in his book, Authentic Happiness, p. 56)
In … Read more
Make Your Child A Partner in Problem-Solving
A Great Idea …
“In most homes children present problems, but parents find the solutions. If children are to mature they must be given many opportunities to solve their own problems.” (Haim Ginott, child psychologist, in his book, Between Parent … Read more
Breaking Free of Negativity
A Great Idea …
“What exactly were these stable couples doing with each other to maintain a positive balance for their negative emotions? For one thing…they were far less negative than the couples who eventually split up. When they brought … Read more
Moving From Happiness to Well-Being
A Great Idea …
“The belief that we can rely on shortcuts to happiness, joy, rapture, comfort, and ecstasy, rather than be entitled to these feelings by the exercise of personal strengths and virtues, leads to legions of people who … Read more
Walking In Their World
A Great Idea …
“Any attempt to talk about [a problem] while you [and your partner] are disconnected will make it worse. The trick to achieving the kind of connection you want is to develop the advanced relationship skill of … Read more
Getting Over Ourselves
A Great Idea …
“Happy people [are] more likely to demonstrate more empathy and are willing to donate more money to others in need. When we are happy, we are less self-focused. Looking out for number one is more characteristic … Read more