Snag the jackpot each time you communicate

When we are children we do not yet have an identity. We learn about who we are through the mirroring that we get from our parents. It is called mirroring to describe the ability of good parents to gently hold up an imaginary mirror in front of the child until they learn to see themselves clearly without harsh judgments. If we do not get enough realistic mirroring during the years we live with them, we remain pretty clueless about who we really are.

Our study indicates that engaging in this activity a few minutes daily cuts the risk of stroke and heart attack in half. We believe that by doing so consistently, the average man can extend his life four to five years.

What is an anchor? And I am not referring to the nautical term. It is grounding yourself with a memory either positive or negative that reminds you of how you felt, what you did or what you believed when the anchor is thought of, touched, or focused on. Let me give you a positive and negative illustration of how an anchor is used.

It is amazing the number of couples that allow the intimate side of their relationship slide. Loss of intimacy is one of those common marriage problems that eat away at the very foundation of a marriage turning what was once a loving and fulfilling relationship into nothing more than a shell.

Meeting future in-laws can be intimidating. You hope that you will like them and, more importantly, that they will like you. While it may seem like the most uncomfortable of situations, there are a few things that can be done to increase your chances of survival.

To discover who broke your heart, how to heal it & where to find the courage to start over, look within ...

I think we can all agree that most relationships are very exciting in the beginning but if you have been in your current relationship for awhile you may have already noticed that the initial excitement you had is starting to subside and you and your partner may be settling into a dull routine.

Anyone who knows the military would advise, if you fear and resist change - don't become a military spouse. Tell that to my daughter.

The most effective way to gain the legal benefits of marriage is by getting married, but same-sex couples are denied the legal right to marry in Illinois, and many heterosexual couples are resistant to marriage. Thus, there are steps that Illinois attorneys can take to ensure that cohabiting couples receive most of the legal benefits of marriage.

But one thing is for certain, finding that person rather than settling for someone less than what we are wanting is never good. Okay, that is my opinion, but think about it for a minute. If we have high standards and certain specifications to meet our needs, in the long run aren’t we robbing ourselves of happiness if we choose badly or settle for less than what we want?

There are certain principles that apply to all types of relationships, whether they are friendships, romances, business associations or family interactions. We all lose focus from time to time and can benefit from being reminded of the core tenets of relationship success. Being attuned to the Seven B’s, can help you make all of your relationships healthier, happier and more productive, revealing a never-ending loop of continous improvement.

The perfect kiss will help lock you in with the man or woman of your dreams and will put you down in his / her memory banks forever! But, how do you achieve the perfect kiss? Each person has different feelings about the way they like to be kissed. A general rule for the first kiss is to be soft and brush his / her lips gently, without thrusting your tongue into your partner's mouth as if you were playing tonsil hockey.

He opens up to you and shares his deepest feelings. The next day, he's distant - and may be actively avoiding you. What should you do?

Tips to help Techno-junkies kick the habit.

Birthdays mark ceremonial passages of time and are observed around the world in innumerable ways. Celebrating that exclusive day in someone's life, birthdays help break humdrum routines and invigorate relationships like nothing else can. It all revolves around your culture, religious beliefs, prevailing social customs and circumstance.

The lack of patienceis the cause of so much unhappiness and grief in this world, when all it requires is a little time on our part.

You can learn to cast a spell over anyone. The secrets are within your reach. All you need to do is to learn where to focus your energy and attention.

Yes, we Black men and women have some collective concerns, a certain amount of shared pathos , arising from our shared painful past which we are daily changing to a triumphant future - but we are each something more fundamental than a cog in a Great Black Cause. I am, like you - just me.

Unspoken expectations. These are the silent killers that tear down communication, destroy intimacy and leave our love lives unfulfilling. We all expect our partners to be psychic and know exactly what we want. Stop and think how silly this is.

This is a series of short articles about men and their preferences. Men are not difficult beings, or the enemy, as some women would like us to belief. They are simply different. By understanding and accepting their men, women can save their relationships and keep their sanity.