Jun 22 2009

What Would Love Do?

Category: RelationshipRomantic IQ @ 3:42 pm

Whether you call it moral or sacred, spiritual or common sense, a truly successful relationship is guided by one question — “What would love do now?

It’s not “What’s in it for me?” And it’s not “How can I manipulate to get more than my share?” And it’s never “I’ll go without to prove my love.” Love only wants what will be in both of your best interests. To define love in action, it couldn’t be any other way.

You see, love is an equal opportunity verb. It loves by doing — so when true love is present both of you are actively giving and receiving. Never just giving, refusing the gifts of love to feign modesty, to avoid embarrassment or discomfort. No, love has us accept what is given to us graciously and with heartfelt respect for the gift of the giver.

At the same time, love requires that we see who the other person is and give in ways that are best suited to that person. It’s not what we think they should have, it’s what will fulfill the other person’s needs and desires.

Love never puts anyone down and never causes anyone intentional harm. Love is always an expression of greater good for everyone involved. It is a form of practical spirituality in action. . . Continue reading “What Would Love Do?”

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Jun 22 2009

Workin’ It Out Togther

Category: Romance & IntimacyRomantic IQ @ 3:30 pm

In the early days of love it all seems so bliss filled and romantic — and it feels like it will last forever.

Then you settle down, get married, create a home, have kids and……where did the magic go!? There’s so much to do, the errands never end, the house always needs work, the kids are demanding, and your love seems to have slipped away. Or has it? Continue reading “Workin’ It Out Togther”


Jun 22 2009

The Bug Funeral Parlor

Category: RelationshipRomantic IQ @ 3:25 pm

One of the wonders of being in a long term relationship that celebrates “the magic of differences” is that you can divvy up the daily chores, errands and family support requirements along the lines of one another’s strengths and weaknesses, preferences and distastes.

One of the ongoing challenges of country living is the BUGS! Big moths, black wasps, tiny “no see ums”and all manner of flies and critters figure out how to get inside our house. With a night light in our bathroom drawing them all in there after we turn out the lights, every morning the bathroom sink, floor and window sill have turned into the bug funeral parlor.

Judith finds them obnoxious alive or dead! Jim doesn’t mind them most of the time and does most of the clean up in bathroom. He actually enjoys saving the live ones with his hands or he uses an empty plastic juice jug and a piece of cardboard to trap the wasps until safe delivery out of the house. So, now Judith just calls out for the “Bug Patrol!” and knows Jim will come rescue her.

Respecting our differences allows Judith to feel taken care of by Jim and Jim gets to be the Bug Patrol General!

In the old way of thinking about differences, we’d both be making each other wrong. Jim wouldn’t hesitate to make fun of Judith for being so “prissy and girlie” and “overly sensitive.” Judith would condemn Jim for being “macho” and “tough” and ignoring his “real feelings” of disgust. Each of us would feel righteous and correct—certain the other was wrong and deserved to be punished by verbal abuse.

The fun is in sharing life in all the ways that our differences enhance one another and allow our individuality to shine.

Remember that the other person you’re involved with is not you. So, how do the ways he or she is different from you make your life easier, more fun, better?!

Rejoice in those differences — everyday by Opening to Love 365 Days a Year. Love is not that mysterious or that far away. It’s right in you everyday life if you know how to spot it.

 

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Jun 19 2009

The Gift of Receiving

Category: Romance & IntimacyRomantic IQ @ 10:33 pm

You’re busy checking off the items on your to-do list. Most of the gifts have been wrapped. And the holiday cards made it to the post office this morning. Oh, but you forgot about your daughter’s teacher! And what to take to the Smith’s annual Christmas Eve get together? And then the cookies for the school carnival and you used the last of the sugar in yesterday’s brownies for the church fund raiser.

Then just at the same time that you are trying to figure out what to wear to the office party, what should occur? Your two tiny elves run into your bedroom loaded down with treasures they made at school, all meant just for you!

But you haven’t got the time to stop and pay attention. The party’s in just an hour. “Put them under the tree,” you command, turning back to your closet, missing the dejection flattening those eager faces that want nothing more than to please you.

You and your spouse make it to the party on time, but . . . Continue reading “The Gift of Receiving”

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Jun 16 2009

The Magic Wisdom of Love

Category: MarriageRomantic IQ @ 5:57 am

What kind of wisdom pushes you in your choice of love partners?

Often it’s a wisdom that doesn’t always meet the eye. In fact on the surface, it may seem like the two of you are so different that you’ll not even be able to make it. But, with a full commitment to the totality of love — it’s those very same differences that will not only fertilize your love, keeping your lives vital and always changing, but will also spur you to greater personal growth. Continue reading “The Magic Wisdom of Love”

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Jun 16 2009

The Revealing Touch

Category: Romance & IntimacyRomantic IQ @ 5:51 am

A number of years ago, Jim challenged Judith, telling her that she didn’t touch him as much as he touched her. Judith was shocked. From her perspective, she was very affectionate physically.

“No way,” said Jim, “not so.”

By that time in our relationship we’d learned how each other liked to receive criticism so that it wasn’t experienced as an attack. But Jim wanted her to be sure to know he was very serious, and meant it as a challenge to her to become more aware, and of course much more physically affectionate. Continue reading “The Revealing Touch”

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Jun 16 2009

The Alchemy of Real Romance

Category: Romance & IntimacyRomantic IQ @ 4:52 am

When you connect with and experience your own feelings while, at the same time, taking in the feelings of the one you love, you are walking straight into the open heartspace of real romance, into the special connections you make with one another, whether small and subtle or grand and brilliant.

The following story from our own courtship reveals much about the fear we all have of being truly intimate and surrendering to love. It also tells of the real romance that’s available whenever you open yourself and let someone in — even when limited by your own fears and resistance. Continue reading “The Alchemy of Real Romance”

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Jun 16 2009

The Antique Carpet Runner

Category: MarriageRomantic IQ @ 4:30 am

No matter how much two people have in common, they will always be different in significant and in tiny ways. The question is—do you feel free to speak up and deal with issues that bug you, hurt you, scare you when your partner behaves in ways you don’t like? Or are you afraid that speaking up will threaten your relationship?

If you fear that speaking up will make a problem too huge to resolve, then you are voting for your fear and your lack of value. Do you get that? Your fear won’t let you engage in a discussion about changes that you want (and we ALL want some changes in the course of a long term relationship) and you are insisting that you aren’t worthy of having a voice—only your partner is to be valued! Continue reading “The Antique Carpet Runner”

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Jun 12 2009

The Art of Romance

Category: Romance & IntimacyRomantic IQ @ 2:58 pm

What one thing do you most want to know about love and relationship?

Recently we surveyed approximately 10,000 men and women asking that question. Ninety-five percent of those responding wanted to know how to keep romance alive throughout a relationship and marriage. No surprise.

During our fifteen years working with singles and couples it’s been romance that has been the most desired as well as the most illusive of all relationship experiences. More than sex. More than good communication. More than family.

But what is romance? Continue reading “The Art of Romance”

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