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All Entries Tagged With: "marriage"
Maintaining Peace & Happiness in Your Relationship During the Holidays
It all seems so cliché… Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy New Year… blah, blah, blah. For the majority of Americans, the holidays have become more about consumerism and expectations of material reward than realizing the true spirit of what the holidays may represent in our hearts and souls. Many of us seem to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping, sales and all the latest and greatest gadgets that the retail market has to offer. It’s all good if you can afford to fulfill everything on your loved one’s gift lists. It can also be a wonderful time for family get-togethers, parties, traditions, customs, etc. Yet it can certainly take a toll on our personal relationships with all the added stress and pressure. The obligations of gift-giving and demands from our friends and families can greatly affect our mental, emotional and physical health.
During the holidays, we may feel torn with dividing time between families – especially if we are in a partnership and have different ideas on where to travel to, or who to invite over for dinner. Extended family dynamics can be trying on your relationship, as everyone brings their own set of values, expectations and unique personalities to the table. The more we stress out over all the little details and judge how others choose to live their lives, then the more negative energy we contribute to the mix. We can enjoy and celebrate diversity in honoring one another’s beliefs and practices. When we can let go of our expectations and trust that all is well no matter who or what shows up in our reality, then we are able to relax and enjoy whatever life offers.
What Women Should Know About Men
The main difference with regard to emotions between men and women in relationships is in the way we communicate our feelings, wants and needs. I’ve certainly noticed from personal experience, as well as from numerous couples that sometimes men have a very difficult time communicating how they feel. This would seem to indicate emotional disconnect for men. However, in the truth, men indeed have deep feelings and very strong emotions – they just have a different way of expressing them.
Men generally like to try and fix things, as it’s in their nature to want to solve problems. They are typically more analytical and methodical than women. The diagnostic mechanism that operates men’s reason and logic is mainly based on factual data and real evidence. Perhaps that’s why they tend to be more skeptical and cynical at times. The emotional intelligence of men seems to be an underlying thematic issue in many relationships.
