Protecting Relationships

Long-lasting hurts stemming from thoughtless dialogue, unreturned or broken possessions, promises and unpaid debts damages and often destroys precious relationships with family and friends. Comments, emails and phone visits based on last week’s Restoring Confidence has inspired this week’s blog.  Becky wrote: I like the blog! Oh, my,…

Restoring Confidence

Recent cries for explanation accompanying the hurt, anger and turmoil when leaders, spiritual, political and parental let loyal supporters down through broken promises, selfish behavior or immorality.  We’ve all known people who become discontent with a relative, minister, member or club leader quit attending worship or club. And even…

Joys Wrapped in Old Correspondence

Reading old letters gives us a fresh and tender appreciation for those who sacrificed in rearing us and defending our country. They also remind us of sweet relationships with parents, grandparents, siblings, extended family, our peer group of friends, cousins and neighbors. As promised, enjoy the following responses from guys…

Joys Wrapped in Old Correspondence

Reading old letters gives us a fresh and tender appreciation for those who sacrificed in rearing us and defending our country. They also remind us of sweet relationships with parents, grandparents, siblings, extended family, our peer group of friends, cousins and neighbors. As promised, enjoy the following responses from guys…

Positive Assumptions That Trigger Resistance

Everyone struggles with keeping positive attitudes functional in light of others’ silent expectations or well-meaning assumptions.  If a gift that may have incurred hours of dedicated work, money saved up or some sacrifice doesn’t coincide with the receiver’s need or desire, but instead meets with silence, a sigh…

Values vs Personality-Type in Acquiring Smooth Relationships

I was intrigued with an email which lends itself nicely for the completion of understanding preferences. Hello Ruth. I always enjoy reading your explanations. And I always get new understandings. Thank you. I wondered what your thoughts might be on the importance of Values in a relationship. Things like religious…

Influences Blossom into Personal Joy and Enrichment

We all have stories of life-changing influences such as graduations, marriage, children, jobs, careers, even firings that happen early on. However, one of my most-significant influences was spawned forty some years after most of my big decisions had already occurred via a phone call from my brother, Mac, a Chaplain…