I recall watching an episode of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” in which we are transported back to when Raymond and Debra decided to get married. Debra talked about how she had dreamed of getting married since she was a little girl. Over the years she had thought about what she would wear, the size of the…
“What an eye opening experience,” is the thought that went through my mind. I have read about it, I’ve seen it, and I have written about it. But I recently experienced it at a new level. “What is that?” you are wondering. Having my cell phone off. You see, my wife and I were recently…
Have you ever experienced regret? Now I know that sounds like a truly absurd question. A better question might be, when have we not experienced regret? Most of us can recall poor decisions, impulsive choices, and warped rationalizations (too many to count), that we wish we would have handled differently. While some of those choices…
“I looked forward to getting married all of my life and then it happened – however, it has been a disaster. Needless to say, it has definitely not met my expectations. I am so very disappointed.” “I remember when my wife lost her temper and said some extremely hurtful things. I was stunned and disappointed…
I recall when a little over 20 years ago my boys and I went camping at the Grand Canyon. We had an incredible time and even hiked about half way down into the canyon one day. Now if you have never been there, I should warn you that it is approximately 5000 feet from the…
I recently came across the following quote, “Marriage is your last best chance to grow up.” Now, before I go any further, I really want you to let that sink in. So (with Jeopardy music playing in the background), ponder for a moment those words. Ok – “I’ll take growing up for $400.” Many of…
Author and friend, Matt Heard writes in his book Life With a Capital L, “. . . we too often want our lives to be characterized by something that our individual days don’t come close to resembling. But the truth of the matter is a bunch of wasted days added together won’t make a significant…
It is Friday evening and you are finally enjoying an evening with your spouse without the children. You are having dinner in a romantic setting, the conversation is intimate and meaningful, you are excited to have this time without interruptions, when you hear that all too familiar text sound on your husband or wife’s phone.…
During a recent dinner conversation, while enjoying some great Mexican food, my friend Ed, who refurbishes houses, began to talk about different kinds of wall texturing. In his house they have a hand troweled texturing as opposed to the sprayed type. During the discussion, he mentioned that in one room of their house they sometimes…
“Things will get better.” This is a phrase of encouragement that we use with regularity. And it is often very true. For example, you are sad at the loss of a pet – “Things will get better.” True. As we typically experience grief, experiences are integrated into our new normal and things do get better.…