The Lifeworks Group, Inc.

How would you rate communication with your spouse? Are you a 10: interaction is perfect and both of you feel understood? Are you a 1: there is no exchange? Or are you a 5: there is some discussion but a lot of confusion? Where ever your score (unless you are a perfect 10), your communication can be improved. The quickest way to move up the scale is to stop some bad communication habits. Lying – Even small lies have consequences and a pattern of lying breeds mistrust. Not listening – Thinking about what you are going to say instead of what is being said. Interrupting – Causes frustration and demonstrates a lack of respect. Getting distracted – Other things/people are more important than your spouse. Failing to prioritize – Produces a “Chicken Little” situation – “The sky is falling.” Taking things personally – Not all comments (direct or indirect) are about you. Assuming – This makes an “ass out of you and me”. Name...

  Brian M. Murray, MS, IMH   It may sound contradictory for an angry person to be more assertive, however being more assertive can help release built up anger. Anger is a normal emotion and we all experience it at one time or another. However there are times when we have a tendency to hold things in regarding issues in life such as a perceived injustice or the lack of boundaries. When anger goes unexpressed for too long it can turn inward, manifesting in resentment and compulsive behaviors. It is not uncommon for anger held on to for long periods of time to turn into depression. Other symptoms of mismanaged anger can be strong use of sarcasm, isolation, substance abuse, relationship problems and a general sense of the loss of self. Anger manifested outwardly is much more obvious. It appears as rage directed at inanimate objects, e.g. road rage and yelling or becoming abusive toward others. Since anger is a common emotion, the idea of dealing with it is not to e...

By Dwight Bain The key to a better relationship is a lot simpler than you think. In fact the key to a better life is also simple – it’s not being afraid to ask. The Bible teaches you have not because you ask not. (James 4:2). Consider the following situations that could have been easily solved… if someone had the courage to ASK. Think of how many times a student was struggling to finish a class, but was afraid to ask for extra time or extra credit. Or the shy guy in High School who thinks the cute girl in his English class likes him, but he is afraid to ask her out on a date. How about a woman who knows she is right for the promotion at work, but stays quiet, never asking for more responsibility or a raise to go with it. Or a husband who wonders if his wife still loves him, but never speaks up and then is trapped into a tempting addiction to cope with his loneliness that he didn’t have to experience… if he only had stepped up to ask. Y...