Relationships


Relationship Articles Home Page | Singles7.com Home Page

Vital information and articles related to relationships.


Relationhip Advice: 10 Magic Words


Just about every night at our house, we read a book called "Say The Magic Words Please" to our young son. The story has lots of magic words, such as "please," "thank you" and "excuse me."

Why am I telling you this?

Well, the other night the book got me to wondering about what the "magic words" might be for couples. You know, all those words and phrases we tend to forget after a few years of marriage.

As a result of my wondering, and a highly scientific poll (I asked my wife, my friends and my clients, in that order), here are a few suggestions:

"I Love You" - Gotta start there. They are such simple little words, yet if left unspoken, they can cause a lot of damage.

When a person begins to believe that they are no longer loved, bad things start to happen fairly quickly.

"Let's try it your way" - It's human nature to want to be right. For some, it's an addiction. Having the grace to say "Let's try it your way" says that you not only value the other person, you think you made a good choice as well.

"Maybe you're right" - A cousin to "Let's try it your way," these words make room for the possibility that there is another valid point of view besides your own.

"How can I show you I love you today?" - What a grand invitation! Imagine what it would feel like to hear that on a regular basis.

"I'm sorry I hurt you" - So necessary yet at times so hard to say.

Remember the '70s movie "Love Story" and its famous theme: "Love is never having to say you're sorry"? That just doesn't work in the real world.

People tend to overlook the fact that in the movie the woman died young before we could see the long-term results of never saying you're sorry.

"Please forgive me" - Usually needs to follow "I'm sorry." Many husbands have told me they feel they should wear a T-shirt that says "I'M SORRY." My question to them (and often to myself) is, "Do you follow it up with 'Please forgive me?' "

Anyone can say "I'm sorry." That's fairly easy. "Please forgive me" does at least three important things:

Acknowledges the hurt.

Requires more vulnerability.

Comes with a commitment not to hurt again, to change.

Other magic words:

Say your vows again. A real marriage, a continual wedding, if you will, needs much more than a one-time recitation of vows. Marriage enrichment experts Joe and Barbara Mills recommend that couples restate their vows at least once a year.

"Would you like to go on a date with me this Saturday night?" When was the last time you asked your partner for a date? We all like to be courted, so call them up and ask them out! How about right now? If you're at home, go to a neighbor's house and call. Just do it. The results can be pretty cool.

"Hi, I just called to say I'm thinking of you." Enough said.

"How am I doing as a spouse and partner?" This one is only for the strong at heart. Most of us never got any hands-on instruction on how to do this marriage thing. We just make it up as we go along.

Having the guts to ask how you are doing lets your partner know at least three things:

The relationship is very important to you.

You are willing to learn.

You are willing to change if needed.

So there we are, a few magic words for a marriage. How might your relationship be if you practiced these magic words, say, one a week for the next 10 weeks?

Jeff Herring is a Relationship Coach, Speaker, and Syndicated Relationship Columnist. Visit SecretsofGreatRelationships.com for more relationship tips and tools, a free internet newsletter and free e-programs to enrich your relationship


MORE RESOURCES:

‘I don’t trust relationships'
Daily News & Analysis, India - 26 minutes ago
But the relationship became strained after Patnaik took a loan of Rs2 crore. “He would always be tense because he was unable to pay his installments,” the ...


Forum studies improving education for black children schools
Detroit Free Press, United States - 15 hours ago
She said improving relationships among students and teachers would likely improve academic achievement. Sharon Bryant-Phillips, a Spanish teacher at ...


Gas prices put squeeze on relationships
BurlingtonFreePress.com, VT - 14 hours ago
Already undergoing a challenging endeavor, couples in long-distance relationships are forced to overcome a gloomy economy to keep the spark alive. ...


Local author's book explores relationships
Ravenna Record Courier, OH - 9 hours ago
Baldini, then a resident of Peekskill, NY, said the theme of the discussion when the two met was mother-daughter relationships, and both women had teenage ...


Cyber relationships aren't 'harmless fun'
MyWestTexas.com, TX - 14 hours ago
DON'T KNOW DEAR DON'T: In my experience such "harmless fun" is anything but harmless and commonly leads to serious relationship problems. ...


Bye-bye to boyfriend and bling
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA - 15 hours ago
By Frank Visco Danielle Hummel can recall quite a few pieces of jewelry from relationships past. But the items the Center City fund-raiser remembers most ...


WA today

Here's a realistic look at father-son relationships, says Craig ...
WA today, Australia - 15 hours ago
"The relationships within a family are as complicated as the universe itself," observes Tucker. That interest permeates all of his projects. ...


Are You Great At Building Relationships? (Field Operations Rep)
Seattle Post Intelligencer - Jul 18, 2008
We’ve been retained by our client Ameritox to recruit a special individual: someone gifted at building and expanding customer relationships. ...


Building Relationships
WCBD, SC - 20 hours ago
But Charleston police say relationships are improving thanks to events like Law Enforcement Unity Day held in conjunction with the Coca Cola Jamfest. ...


Words - a seed in relationships
Sunday News, Zimbabwe - Jul 19, 2008
Further one may even say there is a possibility of relationship closer than that of lovers in the blood of the couples. The description and speculation is ...

Relationships - Google News



Relationship Articles Home Page | Relationship Articles Site Map | Singles7.com Home Page
Health | Hairstyles | Fashion57.com | Beauty | Unique Gifts | Trafficfish.com | Entertainment | Institutions | EZmatic | Sofware

Singles7.com - all Vital information and articles related to relationships.

© 2006