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The Impact of a Stepfather in the Family
I was once a divorced, single mother with two young sons. I met a man on a dating site, after a series of roller coaster dating scenarios I would rather not relive…..ever. This man seemed different. He knew I was a package deal. I had two sons under the age of 10, when we met. He claimed to fall just as much in love with my sons as he did me. I anxiously warned him, “My life is A LOT, are you sure you are up for it?” He wholeheartedly accepted the challenge and dove in, head-first….or possibly, looking back, heart-first. This man befriended my sons with ease. He took…
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Building A Strong Relationship: Dealing With Challenges as a Team
What makes a relationship strong? Before you answer that, consider Mexican artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. A passionate love story that started when the two met and discovered shared ideals about Mexican identity. Even better, they were both artists with strong personalities. Their marriage? Well, it was marked by fiery arguments, infidelity, and intense artistic collaboration. Diego was involved with other women through their marriage, while Frida took several lovers. The couple would fight rather publicly– through art. Frida once painted a portrait of herself crying with Diego’s face as a third eye, symbolizing the pain from their rough relationship. It came as no surprise that they divorced. Then,…
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The Ultimate Guide to Leadership Skills Smart Goals
I’ve always admired the name ‘Alex.’ I don’t know why, considering I dont even know an Alex. Realizing my bias, I decided to research the name. It stems from ‘Alexander,’ of ancient Greek origins, and means “defender of men.” It is probably why many leaders in Ancient Greece had this name. And let’s remember one of the founding fathers is an Alexander. Is there something in the name that makes one a great leader? That’s pushing it because your name does not have to be Alexander for you to be a respected and visionary leader. No, for that, you need leadership skills SMART goals. What are the Biggest Challenges Leaders…
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Workplace Wellness: Simple Habits Every Man Can Adopt
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Stress Management Techniques for Men in High-Pressure Work Environments
High-pressure situations are challenging, especially at work. It can cause the strongest of men to break down. Take the story of the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster in 1986. I’ve heard this story thousands of times, sometimes from motivational speakers, other times from friends and family. Seems the story has many lessons. So, I’ll share one of my own! On January 28, 1986, the Challenger came apart. It happened just 73 seconds into its flight…horrible; even the Titanic managed to sail 4 days before disaster hit. When the Challenger broke apart, it resulted in the tragic deaths of all seven team members. The disaster was caused by the failure of something…
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Building Strong Friendships: The Power of Talking Among Guys
Men have no problem communicating with each other… wait, that’s women. Women love to talk with their friends. That’s why girls’ trips, dates, and brunches can take the whole day. Women are more comfortable sharing with trusted friends, which is more than I can say for men. Men are more reserved when it comes to communicating, even with fellow men. So, what’s the story behind this? Like most things, it often comes down to gender norms and societal expectations. The upbringing of many men revolved around strength and showing no vulnerability. Naturally, this meant hiding emotions and weaknesses from women and, most importantly, fellow men. So it is rare to…
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Why I Intensely Spoil My Wife at the Risk of My Manliness
When people see me “spoiling my wife,” they often raise their eyebrows or crack a joke about my masculinity. It’s a scenario I’ve encountered countless times, particularly from older male family members. Despite the teasing, I continue to elevate my wife’s needs above my own. Why? I’ve come to understand that nurturing a happy marriage goes beyond outdated notions of gender roles. In this modern world, where societal expectations for women have reached an unattainable precedent, we as men have to do better! I’m not trying to toot my own horn here, but I want to stress to others that how you treat your wife not only affects her but…
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I Married My Polar Opposite… and It Made Me Better
They say “opposites attract,” and in the case of my wife and I, that couldn’t be more true! While our opposing personalities make for some interesting conflicts, marrying my antithesis has been an experience of personal growth for both of us. If you’re dating someone who seems totally foreign to you, or you’ve just realized you’ve married a being from another planet, stick around for a minute. I’ll try to convince you why you should hang in there for the wild ride. A Bit of My Story… I married a woman that…well, as her brother would say…”She’s a pistol.” My wife is afraid of nothing. She’s strong-willed, decisive, and somehow…
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Interdependence in Relationships: Maintaining Your Individuality in a Partnership
A romantic relationship with a codependent person is the epitome of the “old ball and chain adage.” I think it’s safe to say that most of us look for red flags in this area, as we don’t want to lose our autonomy. However, in romantic endeavors, we need to let our guard down a bit to create real emotional connections. So, is there a way to balance this out? Can we be intimate with someone— give them our all— without losing our identity? This concept —in a nutshell— is what relationship gurus call interdependence. It’s the sweet spot where you know your partner is your ride-or-die, but also, you don’t…
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Rules of Fighting Fair: How to Respectfully Argue With Your Partner
In a perfect world, you and your significant other would never fight, but that’s not reality. It’s normal and real to argue from time to time, but it also doesn’t have to get ugly. Couples are bound to face challenges that spark disagreements. Navigating these conflicts with mutual respect is the key to maintaining a healthy and strong connection. In a mature relationship, both parties need to be able to express negative feelings fruitfully. Having rules for fighting fair is essential and can transform disagreements into opportunities for growth and understanding. By embracing the principles of fighting fair, couples can not only solve issues but also foster a deeper understanding…
