Leisure and Fun - Experts and Resources

“The Marriage Ref” Almost Nails it

Posted to Resource Articles by Dr. Bonnie Eake... on Sun, 03/07/2010 - 9:44am

I recently watched "The Marriage Ref", which premiered earlier this month. According to Wikipedia, the premise of the show involves real life couples who have been having an on-going fight for a long time. A video clip is shown to the three-member celebrity panel, showing both sides of the argument. The panel then discuss the merits of each side of the argument and vote on who they think is right.

While this show is one of the funniest I've seen in a long time and aims to do the right thing – give both sides a voice and listen to each argument – it doesn't necessarily translate into creating change or fostering the proper habits for the couple. It starts to play off of what I call “Smart Heart Skills and Dialogue,” but they were not able to define and enact these skills. The Smart Heart Skills were validated but undone by the actors doing cheerleading into each other being right and wrong. Smart heart skills are not about being right and wrong as opposed to "walking in the others' shoes" and making the person feel safe.

Celebrate Valentine's Day with the Loves of Your Life: Friends

Posted to Resource Articles by Jill Brooke on Thu, 02/11/2010 - 10:37pm

Leave it to the Greeks to understand the many nuances of love. Unlike any other language, Greek has five words - not one - to delineate the enormity of love: the love derived from friends and family, the love of work, the love for children and the intense passions stirred by a lover.

It is in this spirit that I now host an annual lunch for my girlfriends on Valentine's Day.

After all, if you don't have a lover in your life, February can cast a chill to the heart. One year, I felt bad for a friend of mine who was suddenly single and decided to throw this party to perk up her spirits. And it worked. Hurt feelings melt when we feel the warmth from the love we do have, such as the intimacy and company of good friends.

Considering that 42 percent of all Americans over the age of 18 are single, it surprises me that more people haven't created this tradition. Furthermore, studies show that health improves when you are surrounded by good friends who can help banish the blues.

The Worst Breakup Lines (Ever!)

Posted to Resource Articles by YourTango on Sat, 01/09/2010 - 10:22am

While flipping through a copy of People recently, I saw that in the "out" section of a recent Style Watch "in" and "out" list—sandwiched between things like "stainless steel home decor" and "molten chocolate cake"—was "long distance relationships."

This struck me as something that really could never be either in or out, so I had to hear the explanation.

"It's part of a new green, eco-conscious attitude: Break up with your out-of-state boyfriend or girlfriend because it's not sustainable, and date local!" Jennifer Ganshirt of Frank About Women, a marketing-to-women consulting firm, told the mag. GA_googleFillSlotWithSize("ca-pub-1047529115803602", "Mid_300x100", 300, 100);

7 Tips to Emotionally Prep for the Holidays

Posted to Resource Articles by Maryanne Comaroto on Tue, 12/22/2009 - 2:28pm

Like Ram Das says: If you want to see how together you are, go spend some time with your family! This sentiment is particularly apt during the holidays, when emotions run high and painful memories are easily triggered. Especially if things this holiday are different than you would like them to be: i.e. you’re single (again), newly divorced, bringing someone home your family can’t stand, or maybe you simply dread the same old story your family dynamics dose on when you get together.

Here are 7 tips that can help you face whatever may come with more confidence and grace than you'd imagined…

10 Must-See Christmas Light Displays

Posted to Resource Articles by Jill Brooke on Tue, 12/08/2009 - 8:40am

Americans may penny-pinch in other areas this season, but Christmas means seeing the light — and for some, the more the merrier. Come December, many families take their competitive spirit to new heights, because if there were an Olympics for holiday lights, we’d take the gold.

For example, in Anchorage, Alaska, the Lorangers shine 20,000 bulbs on a homemade Santa fishing from a pool of lights. At the Wills’ home in Mendota Falls, Minnesota, some 150 candy canes light up the exterior. A thousand miles west in Tuscon, Arizona, cacti sparkle. Down in Marble Falls, Texas, an electrified twirling lariat spells out Merry Christmas Y’All.

According to David Seidman, author of Holiday Lights!, Christmas lights began as a winter solstice ritual. When the nights grew long and bitter cold, people would bring in evergreens and burn slabs of wood. Eventually, this became the Yule log, and candle-lit trees soon followed.

Travel Lessons From A Road Warrior

Debbie Does Divorce with Kathleen Ameche

Posted to Debbie Does Divorce by Debbie Nigro on Tue, 12/01/2009 - 8:00am

Safety is an important concern for woman travelers. Debbie learns from "road warrior" Kathleen Ameche how to arm yourself with tips, tricks and tools so that you feel confident and are prepared to handle any unexpected turbulence that might come your way.

Click the following to return to the Leisure and Fun Resource Directory.

How to Navigate Nosy Divorce Questions on Thanksgiving

Thankgiving: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Posted to Resource Articles by Maureen Dempsey on Wed, 11/25/2009 - 12:28am

• The Good: How to Put The "Give" Into Thanksgiving
• The Bad: Divorce Yourself from the Thanksgiving Blues
• The Ugly: How to Navigate Nosy Divorce Questions on Thanksgiving

It's that time of year again: Thanksgiving. The relatives gather, friends come calling. Some genuinely want to know how you — and your relationship (or lack of one) — are doing; others are just plain nosy.

Here, FWW offers scenarios and questions you might encounter this T-Day. And since how you may be tempted to respond might not go over so well, we’ve enlisted Dr. Diana Kirschner, a psychologist specializing in love and relationships, to explain what you should say to avoid awkward moments and deflect any uncomfortable questions thrown your way. So sit down to a family dinner prepared to volley polite, PC answers right back at 'em. No curve balls this Thanksgiving!

Leisure and Fun - Experts and Resources

Resource Directory

filter by topic