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DEaling With Conflict May 2
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As anyone who has a relationship of any kind knows, conflict is unavoidable, whether it's between partners, friends, parent and child, family, co-workers, etc.
It can crop up for any number of reasons, and in many cases, it escalates not because there is a real issue, but because the issues are not being communicated and understood between the parties involved. As we all think differently, it's easy for something to be poorly communicated or taken out of context! We have different moods, different upbringings, different experiences, and different perceptions of almost every subject and situation. How do you handle conflict? How does your "opponent" handle it? Let's find out! |
Setting Boundaries May 9
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Do you have trouble setting boundaries?
Are you consistently being “taken advantage of”? Are you always “too nice” and never get your needs met? Setting boundaries is an important part of establishing our identity and is a crucial aspect of mental health and well-being. So many people have misconceptions of what healthy boundaries are and how important they are to maintaining or growth, self-esteem and relationships. Some might feel that they aren't really important or may not even understand what they are, but in reality all healthy relationships have boundaries. It’s important for both people to be clear about who they are, what they want, and to identify and express their beliefs, values and limits. This event will help everyone better understand boundaries, why we need them and how to possibly implement them in a relationship. |
Needs & Expectations May 16
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In most relationships, it is our "expectation" that our partner will value our needs and desires as much as their own.
Needs and expectations can fuel and influence how we relate, react, and respond to everything that we do and to everyone around us. But most of us don’t even realize that we have these expectations until we find ourselves feeling disappointed, upset, and experiencing a great deal of confusion within the struggles of life. This event will help us see that sometimes it is our own expectations that are the problem rather than our partner. |
Let's Communicate May 23
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Communication (or a lack of effective communication) either makes or breaks most relationships.
Relationships don’t exist in a vacuum. They exist between two emotional human beings who bring their own past experiences, history, and expectations into it. Two different people also have different levels of skill when it comes to communication, but the good news is that if communication is a skill, then it can be improved. We can all develop our communication skills. We can all improve our relationships with better communication. So let’s do that! |
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What is Gaslighting? May 30
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Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse that’s seen in abusive relationships. It’s the act of manipulating a person by forcing them to question their thoughts, memories, and the events occurring around them.
A victim of gaslighting can be pushed so far that they question their own sanity and whether intentional or not, is a form of manipulation. Gaslighting can happen in many types of relationships, including those with bosses, friends, and parents. But one of the most devastating forms of gaslighting is when it occurs in a relationship between a couple. |
Why We Cheat June 6
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Cheating is rarely just about sex. In fact, there are studies that suggest that cheating for sexual gratification alone is responsible for less than 20% of the cases.
An affair is rarely the actual problem; it is usually the symptom of the problem. Infidelity is a complicated and difficult subject to deal with in a relationship, and the best way to prevent a problem is to first understand what is happening and then to develop our skills in the areas that lead to it happening. Being “conscious” in our relationships is a major step. |
What is Happiness? June 13
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So what is happiness anyway? Well, it’s a state of mind that can be different for everyone, but in general terms, it’s a feeling of pleasure or contentment that is different from more intense feelings or emotions such as ecstasy or bliss. For many it is considered the opposite of sadness.
Many of us seek happiness as if it’s a way that we can always feel, but realistically, that is simply not likely to happen, since happiness is a temporary feeling or emotion. Let’s take a closer look at what happiness really is, why we seek it, how we might be able to achieve it on a more consistent basis, and even why we might want to reconsider it as our ultimate state of being! |
Bridges or Barriers June 20
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Communication plays a major role in opening up and connecting with our partner, but there are many barriers to communication that we can overcome with some awareness.
Unfortunately, when we are not "aware", we end up building walls in our relationships without even realizing it. If we want to overcome these barriers, it's vital that we take the time to become aware of what we are unconsciously doing that may be building those walls, instead of building the bridges needed to communicate more effectively. We will look at many examples of both poor and excellent communication to see if we can better understand what might want to do, and not do when trying to communicate! |
A Conscious Partner - Development Team
