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Getting Unlost in the Forest of Thoughts: How Mindfulness Can Improve the Quality of Your Life and Relationships
"The only true enlightenment is awareness of the vivid reality of life, moment by moment." – Kosho Uchiyama There is an old Japanese saying, Yawata no Yabu shirazu, “Being lost in the forest of Yawata.” There used to be a huge forest of bamboo at Yawata city so...
Asking the Right Questions: How to Deepen Relationships with Open-Ended Questions
“Listening is not batting practice, where you hit back everything that comes your way.” –John Gottman Have you ever been asked a question and felt the other person wanted a specific answer (theirs)? How you ask questions conveys much more information than just the...
Essential Communication Skills for Couples: How Validation Helps Relationships Flow Smoothly
Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates. At the first gate, ask yourself “Is it true.” At the second gate ask, “Is it necessary.” At the third gate ask, “Is it kind.” (Sufi Saying) Have you ever been in a discussion with your spouse and...
Moving Forward by Stepping Back: How Taking a Break Can Improve Relationships, Parenting, and Your Ability to Tolerate Stress
"Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast." --William Congreve In Canada during the late 80s, a brief health-oriented commercial break was broadcast during regular television programming. In the “Body-Break, ParticipACTION” clips, a male-female team (who later...
Making Up is Hard to Do: Relationship Repair Skills to Help You Make-Up Without Making Things Worse
“People can only change when they feel liked and accepted as they are.” –John Gottman Have you ever tried to make-up with your partner after an argument or wrong word only to find things getting worse, both of you becoming even more frustrated or shut-down? Making up,...