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Welcome to another great discussion on Realtionship Fitness! Have you ever said something that seemed normal and appropriate, only to find out later that the other person was offended? Please say that you have been there like I have! These hot spots can destroy relationships if they aren’t handled with intentionality. Let’s discuss how to diffuse the situation.
We need to get out of our head
Many times, we let the dialogue in our head convince us that we should be offended and take action over what someone said. Our ego can be our worst enemy! Another common scenario (more so for men than women) is when we find ourselves “in trouble” with our partner over something we said, and we aren’t even aware that it was offensive! The problem in both kinds of situations is that humans are meaning-making machines, and we make up our own meaning to what the other person said or did. This meaning we assign to another’s words and actions comes from the way we grew up. How do we overcome this problem? Communication is the answer!
I
f you are offended by someone . . .
First, go cool off before your knee-jerk reaction gets you in trouble. Secondly, look at the problem from the other person’s perspective. Did they 100% intend to offend you? Are you sure? When we assume what the other person meant, we let the voices in our head control us, and the sad part is that we find it easier to erupt toward family members than other people in our lives. Our goal shouldn’t be to punish the other person but to have an intimate connection in a happy, healthy relationship. We can’t achieve that if we always ASS-ume that the other person means harm. Quite often, I find that what I thought the other person intended is not correct at all, and that’s how I’ve learned to take a different approach. That is growth.
Assume the best of people
If you grew up with a power play, ego, and blame dynamic in your family, then you know how exhausting it can be. Who wants that dynamic in their intimate relationship? When you are in love, assume the best of your spouse. Bad days happen for everyone, so give them a break and assume the best of their intentions. This guards against the slippery slope of dissatisfaction and seeking a sympathetic ear from someone who can destroy your marriage. Communicate and confront the issue as you assume the best of your partner. Admit that you assumed the worst and took something the wrong way; chances are that the problem will be resolved peacefully. Show humility, sincerity, and love—and you’ll have a much better outcome.
***Leave me your feedback.
Comment about how you are working toward open, vulnerable communication and guarding against assumptions in your relationship. Improving your relationship fitness and solidifying your relationship legacy WILL make a difference.
You are not just raising children, but someone’s future spouse and someone’s future parent. Go out there and be loving, kind, patient, and generous! Let’s help save the world--one relationship at a time!
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Welcome to the Relationship Fitness Podcast! I just learned something new, and as every good podcaster should do, I’m passing it along to you. We are talking about how you can use your relationship history to foster positivity in the here and now. Join me!
Reflect on the good
It’s so easy and trite to dwell in the past and bellyache about things that have not gone right. The truth is that dwelling on the past won’t usually serve you well, but it will get you stuck in a bad place. When it comes to your relationship, it can be helpful to reflect on the good times you shared when your relationship was new and vibrant. What drew you to this person in the first place? Why were you both attracted to each other? Why did you commit to a long-term relationship? Remembering the fun times you have shared and the things you have overcome will help renew that spark from the beginning.
Set aside time to reflect on your relationship history
One of the problems in most relationships is that we get too busy to reflect and recall those fun times we have shared. I read an article that recommended couples set aside time each month to remember the good times, like the birth of a child, their wedding, and the way the attraction started in the beginning. This time of reflection can reinforce the energy and positive feelings in your relationship, reignite the chemistry, and ward off the negativity that tries to creep in.
Keep your relationship as #1
One of the biggest killers in relationships is not scheduling time to be friends. We have to prioritize obligations outside our family so they don’t interfere with #1, which is the relationship with our partner. That #1 relationship is the main thing that contributes to joy, happiness, and success in life, so don’t put it on the back burner. Praying for blessings for your spouse can help promote positivity, well-being, and growth in your relationship. Wishing good things for your partner brings a good vibe and sends out positive energy into the world.
***Leave me your feedback. I would love to hear how you and your spouse reflect on your good times and keep the spark alive in your relationship. Improving your relationship fitness and solidifying your relationship legacy WILL make a difference. You are not just raising children, but someone’s future spouse and someone’s future parent. Go out there and be loving, kind, patient, and generous! Let’s help save the world--one relationship at a time!
Connect with me:
Facebook: Relationship Fitness Facebook Page
Instagram: Relationship.Fitness
Locals.com: https://relationshipfitness.locals.com/ (Locals.com membership required)
Podcast website: RelationshipFitnessPodcast.com
Not sure where to start your Relationship Fitness journey?
P.S. Check out my new channel on Locals.com at Relationshipfitness.Locals.com where I'm posting exclusive #RelationshipFitness content you won't see or hear anywhere else. (Locals.com membership required)
With a commitment to a partner, you have to be prepared for a relationship with in-laws. In some cases, they may seem more like out-laws, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are always challenges that come surrounding how to celebrate holidays, how to raise kids, and other hot-button topics like religion and politics. Let’s take a closer look in this first of a two-part series about considerations for your relationships with in-laws.
Realize what you can appreciate
You may not like your spouse’s parents, which could consist these days of several couples since parents and stepparents are factored into the mix. They all have different opinions, methodologies, and traditions that can affect your marriage and how you raise your kids. Instead of focusing on the negative, try to find things that you can appreciate about them and their concern for your family. For one, they helped bring your “person” into the world, so express your appreciation. Try to understand the apprehension they have as parents when their child chooses a partner and forms a long-term relationship. All they want is to see their child loved, happy, and successful in all areas of life. Try to see the situation from their perspective.
Acknowledge that there will be differences
Every parent has their viewpoint about raising children, and your in-laws probably didn’t do things exactly like your parents did or the way you might choose for your family. Those differences don’t mean that only one person’s way is right. Try to gain perspective and understanding of their viewpoint and their desire to see the best for their children and grandchildren.
Assume the positive
Sometimes in-laws will come across as controlling or too involved when they want to help out, be included, and offer advice. Don’t shut them out. Try to assume that their intentions are good (crazy, toxic people excluded) and for your benefit until proven otherwise. Getting to know your in-laws can help you better learn how to support your partner as you understand their family dynamics. If you try to assume the best of their intentions instead of defaulting to the negative, the overall relationship will be more constructive and peaceful for everyone.
***Leave me your feedback. Let me know about your success with in-law relationships and the ways you plan to face the challenges moving forward. Improving your relationship fitness and solidifying your relationship legacy WILL make a difference. You are not just raising children, but someone’s future spouse and someone’s future parent. Go out there and be loving, kind, patient, and generous! Let’s help save the world--one relationship at a time!
Connect with me:
Facebook: Relationship Fitness Facebook Page
Instagram: Relationship.Fitness
Locals.com: https://relationshipfitness.locals.com/ (Locals.com membership required)
Podcast website: RelationshipFitnessPodcast.com
Not sure where to start your Relationship Fitness journey?
P.S. Check out my new channel on Locals.com at Relationshipfitness.Locals.com where I'm posting exclusive #RelationshipFitness content you won't see or hear anywhere else. (Locals.com membership required)
Welcome to the Relationship Fitness Podcast! Today’s show focuses on the all-important domino effect of our thoughts, words, habits, character, and destiny. Join me as we explore how a simple mindset shift can change the way those “dominoes” fall!
Be conscious of your mindset
Most of what we think and feel about our relationships is in our heads, but we can’t keep our thoughts there; we have to engage in communication with our partner. Find your voice! Improve how you think about your spouse, your kids, and your family. I’ve seen so many people in the trap of “competitive victimhood,” where they compete to see who has the worst spouse and who is the biggest victim of everything awful in life. What a terrible mindset!
What makes the difference?
What separates couples with great relationships from “the herd”? So many men and women are trapped in that victimhood competition, and they only think and talk about how awful their lives and relationships are. Change your thoughts! If your group of friends lives in a victimhood mentality, then find new friends! If you aren’t actively engaged in controlling your thoughts, words, habits, and behaviors, then you are like a person in a canoe without a paddle. You have no choice but to drift along with the current, oblivious to the dangers around you and helpless to save yourself. Be aware of how you think and speak about your relationship, engage with your spouse, and always look to make improvements.
Don’t be a relationship zombie!
Being part of the herd of competitive victimhood or being the person who drifts along in their relationship with no effort to improve is like being a zombie. You know, like the ones in TV shows. Don’t take your relationship for granted. Don’t be a lazy ass in your relationship. Take the time and make the effort to communicate with your spouse and change your mindset. Get up and get working to change your mindset and your actions!
***Leave me your feedback. I want to know how you are working on your relationship and changing your mindset, especially if you are a recovering “competitive victim.” Improving your relationship fitness and solidifying your relationship legacy WILL make a difference. You are not just raising children, but someone’s future spouse and someone’s future parent. Go out there and be loving, kind, patient, and generous! Let’s help save the world--one relationship at a time!
Connect with me:
Facebook: Relationship Fitness Facebook Page
Instagram: Relationship.Fitness
Locals.com: https://relationshipfitness.locals.com/ (Locals.com membership required)
Podcast website: RelationshipFitnessPodcast.com
Not sure where to start your Relationship Fitness journey?
P.S. Check out my new channel on Locals.com at Relationshipfitness.Locals.com where I'm posting exclusive #RelationshipFitness content you won't see or hear anywhere else. (Locals.com membership required)
Welcome to the Relationship Fitness Podcast! I have noticed from several directions how much time some people (primarily men) spend with video games. They play them, talk about them, and build community with fellow players online. What if they put the same effort into building their relationship? Hobbies are a good way to relax and find enjoyment, but how much is too much? Where do these hobbies fit into strong, healthy relationships? Let’s talk about it.
Hobbies can be bad news for your relationship
Some men admit that they look forward to getting home and spending several hours playing video games. When this becomes a habitual way to avoid and neglect meaningful interaction with your spouse, your relationship is headed for trouble. Other couples try to connect more with each other by “trying out” their partner’s hobbies, and even if they don’t like the hobby, they at least gain an understanding of their partner’s attraction to it while spending time together. Everyone should be aware of the addictive nature of video games, which is planned and engineered intentionally by the designers. Check yourself. Is your relationship in its death stages because your hobbies are more important than your partner?
The sad reality and the ugly truth
It is sad that a husband and wife can be in the same house–and even the same room–but be totally engrossed in their own hobbies that are separate from each other. He may be playing video games while she reads a book or does something on her phone. They are “together,” but there is no engagement or connection going on to build their true-love connection. If this disconnect happens over and over again, night after night, it can lead to division and dissatisfaction in the marriage. As the division and dissatisfaction grow, the door opens to the dangerous wolves and cougars out there who seek to draw our attention away from our spouse. How much better would it be to involve yourselves in a joint project or find ways to engage WITH your spouse to strengthen your relationship?
How to improve your relationship
Of the many things that can come into our lives to take our attention away from our spouse, video games and cellphones are two examples. We allow them to grab and keep our attention–to the detriment of our relationship. Whether at home or a restaurant, we need to put games and phones aside so we don’t continually weaken our connection with our spouse. There are many ways we can pay attention to our spouse and engage with our loved ones. Make your spouse and kids the winners in getting your attention and keeping it.
***Leave me your feedback. Let me know how you are strengthening your relationship by keeping hobbies and interests in the right perspective and finding hobbies that you can BOTH enjoy. Don’t let anything take precedence over your relationship with your partner. Improving your relationship fitness and solidifying your relationship legacy WILL make a difference. You are not just raising children, but someone’s future spouse and someone’s future parent. Go out there and be loving, kind, patient, and generous! Let’s help save the world--one relationship at a time!
Connect with me:
Facebook: Relationship Fitness Facebook Page
Instagram: Relationship.Fitness
Locals.com: https://relationshipfitness.locals.com/ (Locals.com membership required)
Podcast website: RelationshipFitnessPodcast.com
Not sure where to start your Relationship Fitness journey?
P.S. Check out my new channel on Locals.com at Relationshipfitness.Locals.com where I'm posting exclusive #RelationshipFitness content you won't see or hear anywhere else. (Locals.com membership required)
https://amzn.to/2KMaPY0
Welcome to the Relationship Fitness Podcast! I heard something recently that made me realize how The Matrix and relationship fitness are related. It has to do with the irony of how someone can “push our buttons,” which can only happen if we’ve already established the buttons. What buttons have you created? Join me for a closer look!
It all comes down to our choices.
There aren’t really any “buttons.” They don’t exist. When we say someone is “pushing our buttons,” we focus on scenarios that give us excuses to react dramatically to what someone else says or does. There are no stresses or pressure points except what we have created in our heads. We decide--we CHOOSE--to be irritated, frustrated, triggered, and stressed by this or that. We have determined what that breaking point is for our temper to flare.
We are “meaning-making” machines.
We make meaning out of everything. When someone does x, we have determined that it means y. When our partner doesn’t act like we would wish, we assign meaning to it in that they don’t respect, love, or trust me. The other person may not tie that same meaning at all to their actions, and they probably don’t intend to send the message that we receive. It doesn’t matter because we assume that we know precisely in which way they meant to offend us--all because we’ve assigned a specific meaning to it.
Investigate your buttons.
Take a closer look at why certain things are sensitive subjects that bring frustration and irritation. Most of those sensitive spots stem from events in our childhood. How we perceive our partner’s words, actions, and intentions come from what we allow ourselves to “buy into.” What we observed in relationships or the pain we experienced in childhood causes us to feel a certain way. This leads us to compare ourselves, deciding who is “better,” as we judge the other person’s actions. All of this highlights the need for clear verbal communication with your spouse. Those pressure points, sensitive spots, and buttons need to get out of your head and into a conversation!
***Leave me your feedback. Let me know how you are strengthening your relationship by eliminating the pressure points that cause your temper to flare. Watch out for the meaning you assign to your partner’s actions, and take the time to have clear communication. Improving your relationship fitness and solidifying your relationship legacy WILL make a difference. You are not just raising children, but someone’s future spouse and someone’s future parent. Go out there and be loving, kind, patient, and generous! Let’s help save the world--one relationship at a time!
Connect with me:
Facebook: Relationship Fitness Facebook Page
Instagram: Relationship.Fitness
Locals.com: https://relationshipfitness.locals.com/ (Locals.com membership required)
Podcast website: RelationshipFitnessPodcast.com
Not sure where to start your Relationship Fitness journey?
P.S. Check out my new channel on Locals.com at Relationshipfitness.Locals.com where I'm posting exclusive #RelationshipFitness content you won't see or hear anywhere else. (Locals.com membership required)
Welcome to the Relationship Fitness Podcast! We are talking about taking your relationship to the next level, and we know there is always room for improvement. Specifically, how does it profit you to win all the arguments but lose your spouse in the process? Join me to learn more!
It all comes down to ego
For the sake of our relationships, we have to set aside our pride and ego and learn to tame our drive always to conquer and win. This can be a challenging thing for most of us men. We have to keep the right perspective that the health of our relationship is more important than being “right.” Remember that your kids are watching and learning, so keep the long-range goal in mind. Set a good example in the way you handle arguments and disagreements.
Look out for blind spots
In our relationships, we all have habits and mannerisms that we do without thinking; they are just automatic. For example, I was ingrained not to ask for anything above absolute necessities as a child because I wouldn’t get them anyway. I caught myself in this blind spot when parenting my boys when they were young and asked for something extravagant. Their reactions told me that I had responded in a hurtful way simply because of how I was raised. I’m asking you to take notice of your words and tone when conversing with your kids and spouse. You can gauge by their reaction to you how you are coming across.
Pay attention
Take notice of how your loved ones react to what you say and how you say it. If their reaction is negative, nervous, or one of withdrawal, then you may have a blind spot that needs to be addressed and changed. Look at it as an opportunity to improve and learn not to cause hurt to the hearts of those you love. Observe their reactions, and don’t be afraid to ask for feedback on how you are doing.
***Leave me your feedback. Let me know how you are finding and improving your blind spots to benefit your relationship. Ask your family how you are falling short in fostering the environment you want in your home. It’s a great thing if your kids watch you work out disagreements because it helps them learn positive relationship skills. Improving your relationship fitness and solidifying your relationship legacy WILL make a difference. You are not just raising children, but someone’s future spouse and someone’s future parent. Go out there and be loving, kind, patient, and generous! Let’s help save the world--one relationship at a time!
Connect with me:
Facebook: Relationship Fitness Facebook Page
Instagram: Relationship.Fitness
Locals.com: https://relationshipfitness.locals.com/ (Locals.com membership required)
Podcast website: RelationshipFitnessPodcast.com
Not sure where to start your Relationship Fitness journey?
P.S. Check out my new channel on Locals.com at Relationshipfitness.Locals.com where I'm posting exclusive #RelationshipFitness content you won't see or hear anywhere else. (Locals.com membership required)
Welcome to another episode of the Relationship Fitness Podcast! It’s a fact that thoughts lead to actions--which lead to results. These results lead to a payoff, which leads back to our thoughts or our story. Our story is the WHY of what we do. Join me as we take a deeper look!
“If you want to meet the Devil . . .”
“ . . . Just do nothing.” I heard someone say this recently, and I realized the implications for relationships. Just doing nothing in your relationship and in your life will lead to drama and discomfort. “Devil” here is not used in a religious sense, but in the sense of big-time angst, trouble, and heartache. It’s a symbol of all the negative things that can come your way. Doing nothing in your relationship opens the door to the wolves and cougars. If you listen to them, you’re listening to BS that came about because you did nothing in your relationship.
There is a payoff to everything we do
We get a payoff to everything, and it can be negative or positive. This is why we DO things, and DON’T DO certain things. We realize, in relationships, that we attract more good things to us with honey than with vinegar. That’s why we do some things--because there is a beneficial payoff for us. I heard a woman recently tell of her husband (whom she despises) who disengages with his family for the sake of his video games. He does that because he finds that fantasy world less scary than being a family man and engaging as a leader in his family. How sad is it that he has chosen the payoff that gaming gives him over the connection with his family! There is always a WHY to what we do, and others (like his wife and kids) pay the price in negative ways. Think about it. Why are you doing the things that you do?
Be the man that you are
Some men become a different version of the man their wife married. He may have been vibrant, spontaneous, and exciting in their early relationship, but now he is the lion in the cage that’s been tamed and controlled always to acquiesce. Men need to be the men they are and take a stand to be the man they were that attracted your spouse. There is always room for change and growth without losing the man you are. “Don’t acquiesce to being a puss.” Self-preservation is important to self-growth, and men need to grow together WITH their spouse. Know your WHY and know your payoffs, and things will go better in your relationship.
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***Leave me your feedback. Let me know how you have come to understand the GIVE and GET in your relationship to perpetuate great relationship skills instead of dysfunction. The world doesn’t need more dysfunctional relationships! Improving your relationship fitness and solidifying your relationship legacy WILL make a difference. You are not just raising children, but someone’s future spouse and someone’s future parent. Go out there and be loving, kind, patient, and generous! Let’s help save the world--one relationship at a time!
Connect with me:
Facebook: Relationship Fitness Facebook Page
Instagram: Relationship.Fitness
Locals.com: https://relationshipfitness.locals.com/ (Locals.com membership required)
Podcast website: RelationshipFitnessPodcast.com
Not sure where to start your Relationship Fitness journey?
P.S. Check out my new channel on Locals.com at Relationshipfitness.Locals.com where I'm posting exclusive #RelationshipFitness content you won't see or hear anywhere else. (Locals.com membership required)
Welcome to the Relationship Fitness Podcast! My purpose in every episode is to help you learn one nugget that can take your relationship to the next level of awesome. Let’s talk about what lemons and relationships have in common.
What’s on the inside comes out
We are all faced with stressful situations and competing priorities. Marriage, family, and parenting bring pressure every single day. Jobs, money issues, and raising kids bring pressure from all directions. You know it’s true! Here is the truth: what comes out of a lemon when it’s squeezed is what is on the inside--lemon juice. Likewise, when your relationship is under pressure, what comes out is the character, abilities, and skillset you have on the inside.
Acting and reacting
As we grow up, we learn how to deal with stress by watching the grownups in our lives. If we don’t have good role models, then we don’t understand and experience good relationship skills. Our intentions may be the very best, but we sometimes react in negative ways. How we act is our character, and how we react is the brainwashing from our childhood, whether good or bad.
Take a look, and take a step back
Start by looking at how you react under the pressure of daily stress. How are these typical reactions working for you? Are your reactions to stress bringing positivity, love, and connection, or are they driving your family apart? If every moment of every evening in your family is spent avoiding communication and togetherness, then you need to make changes. Follow the OWA principle: ask, “What is the outcome that I truly want? What is my WHY? What action can I take to get to the outcome I want?” When you are being squeezed, take five seconds to look inward and ask if you are about to drive a wedge between people. If so, take a step back and aim for connection. Take a time out, and be sure to give your partner the time to step back if they need it.
***Leave me your feedback. Think about your character and what you are displaying in your relationship, and let me know how you are working toward “awesome” with your partner. Improving your relationship fitness and solidifying your relationship legacy WILL make a difference. You are not just raising children, but someone’s future spouse and someone’s future parent. Go out there and be loving, kind, patient, and generous! Let’s help save the world--one relationship at a time!
Connect with me:
Facebook: Relationship Fitness Facebook Page
Instagram: Relationship.Fitness
Locals.com: https://relationshipfitness.locals.com/ (Locals.com membership required)
Podcast website: RelationshipFitnessPodcast.com
Not sure where to start your Relationship Fitness journey?
P.S. Check out my new channel on Locals.com at Relationshipfitness.Locals.com where I'm posting exclusive #RelationshipFitness content you won't see or hear anywhere else. (Locals.com membership required)
Welcome to the Relationship Fitness Podcast! As always, we are discussing tips to take your relationship to the next level. Are you settling for “OK” or “Fine” in your relationship? Why not take action to leave a relationship legacy instead of becoming just another failed relationship statistic? Let’s talk about how your relationship is trending today!
You ARE leaving a legacy
If your family has a record of dysfunction in relationships, you are either continuing that dysfunction or choosing to do the opposite of the family trend. It’s difficult for some people to grow up and choose something different because for most it’s a “monkey see, monkey do” situation. Most people do what their parents did, and when it comes to relationship dysfunction, that’s NOT a good thing.
Some people don’t know how to do better
In my case, I had said I would never, ever put my kids through a divorce situation like I went through at nine years old---but I did. I was on the receiving end of the hurt and pain that come with divorce when I was a kid, and I was helpless to keep from putting my kids through the same thing. I continued the relationship legacy I had seen modeled for me, even though I didn’t want to. I didn’t know how to do better. I didn’t take action. I got complacent and did nothing, and my relationship became another statistic.
How to tell if your relationship is trending toward being a statistic or a legacy
If sex becomes less frequent because of mood swings, stress, and time, then your relationship is suffering. You have to make your relationship a priority! The scales of relationship equity will never be in your favor if you aren’t intentional! Are you having fewer meaningful conversations about sharing dreams and goals? Are your conversations mere “status updates” about the bills and the kids? If your arguments are escalating, then it’s possible that someone else can become the shoulder to cry on and the ear to vent to for you or your spouse. That’s a dangerous situation. The first day that your attitude is, “I’ve already got him/her, so I don’t have to work at it,” is the beginning of the death of your relationship. Recognize the warning signs. Look for the yellow flags before they become red flags. Take action; be brave enough to talk to your spouse. Be involved and engaged in your relationship.
***Leave me your feedback. I want to know how you are working toward a relationship legacy instead of becoming another statistic. Improving your relationship fitness and solidifying your relationship legacy WILL make a difference. Let’s help save the world--one relationship at a time!
Connect with me:
Facebook: Relationship Fitness Facebook Page
Instagram: Relationship.Fitness
Locals.com: https://relationshipfitness.locals.com/ (Locals.com membership required)
Podcast website: RelationshipFitnessPodcast.com
Not sure where to start your Relationship Fitness journey?
P.S. Check out my new channel on Locals.com at Relationshipfitness.Locals.com where I'm posting exclusive #RelationshipFitness content you won't see or hear anywhere else. (Locals.com membership required)
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