What is a REALationship? A REALationship is one that has openness, honesty, integrity, individuality, growth, passion, and intimacy. It is easy to be in denial, superficial, and distant. I teach people to have deeper and more REAL relationships =>=>=> REALationships!!!!

In school we learned the three “R’s”: Reading, writing, and arithmetic. There is however, a forth “R”, and it is the “R” of Relationships. For many people, there were few, if any, healthy relationship role models to follow. Therefore, the “R” of Relationships is perhaps THE most important “R” because we all have to interact with others and have various levels of relationships throughout our lives. The conclusion is simple: It is of the utmost value for all of us to be well equipped in relationship skills. If we never took the time to learn these skills, how can we possibly expect to be successful in our relationships?

The REALationship coaching, training and educational programs provide the basic building blocks of relationship skills. Just has you build a house from the foundation up, so it is with relationships skills. I start with teaching people the basic skills they need to live happy and fulfilling lives, and to have THE most intimate and lasting relationships possible.

REALationships for Everyone – Through a series of individual and group formats, I will provide you with the education, tools and coaching required to have an amazing “relationship with yourself”. Some of the topics include:

Discovering your Life Purpose and living it

Developing and maintaining healthy boundaries

Overcoming fear and doubt, and implementing powerful life management techniques

Learning powerful communication strategies and techniques

Embracing your sexuality and spirituality

Discovering your core values and creating a path of integrity for your life

REALationships for Singles and Single-again – In this four week structured group or individual program you will:

Learn who you really are: Your values, life purpose, patterns, life and relationship vision.

Discover what you really want: Your core relationship “deal-breakers” and compatibility needs.

And best of all, know how to really get it: You will develop an effective attraction plan, learn powerful communication strategies, know to avoid the “dating traps”, and know how be the “Chooser”.

REALationships 101 for Couples –

Married, engaged, or “new” couples

Private sessions and classes

Learn powerful communication skills to enhance your relationship connection

Deepen your intimacy and develop positive rituals that will keep your relationship alive with passion

My goal is for you to live a more fulfilling life, and have the most intimate and lasting relationships possible.

Ken Donaldson has been based in Tampa Bay offering counseling, coaching, and educational programs since 1987. His REALationship Coaching programs empower people to have more successful lives, businesses and relationships by building a powerful relationship with themselves first. Visit his website at REALationshipCoach.com” target=”_new REALationshipCoach.com for more information and sign-up his free e-program Illuminations and Sparks of Brilliance. Ken is also the author of the upcoming book Marry YourSelf First!

When people get married, they believe that their love will last forever. They are filled with love and trust for the person that they are committing to and believe that there is nothing in the world that could tear them apart. Unfortunately, in our society today, people rarely stay married and faithful. They become disillusioned and unhappy and somehow infidelity and divorce become the answer.

Our society today is very impatient. I am reminded of the little girl, I believe her name is Violet, in the book, and movie, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. She wants it all and she wants it NOW. Our society is very much impulse based. We are impulse shoppers, impulse eaters and yes, many people are unable to resist extramarital affairs. They rarely take the consequences of their actions into consideration.

Married people are now in the minority in our country. I find that very sad. One of the most common reasons for divorce is a cheating spouse. Men cheat on their wives and women cheat on their husbands. It seems that the stigma that was once attached to the cheating spouse has diminished and people no longer find it shocking to discover the reason that their neighbors divorced was because of a cheating spouse. Admit it, if you are talking to your best friend and she mentions how her husband has been distant lately and has been putting in long hours at work, one of your first thoughts is that he must be a cheating spouse. And for men, if a buddy mentions that his wife has been spending a lot of time going out with her girlfriends, especially if she has single friends, the first think you think is that she must be a cheating spouse.

Cheating spouse are very common on TV and in movies. In some respects, it almost seems that the act of having an affair and cheating on your spouse is romanticized in movies and on TV. And then there is always the poor unsuspecting spouse who is left at home wondering what is going on. Always the last to know.

I believe that the long term effects of being involved in a relationship that has a spouse cheating are devastating to the spouse that is being cheated on. If they suspect their spouse is being unfaithful, the stress of not knowing can have ill effects on their mental and physical well being. Losing sleep because of an unfaithful spouse is very common. In order to take control of your happiness, you need to find out the truth and deal with it. It is unfortunate that infidelity is so common in society today but it is a fact. If you have ever been cheated on by a spouse or significant other, you know that affects your ability to trust in future relationships.

Jennie Crawford is the stay at home mom of two small children. For more information, go to jenniecrawford.com/catchacheatingspouse www.jenniecrawford.com/catchacheatingspouse

Let’s put aside those fantasies for a moment, and talk about the logistics of beginning the adventure of swinging. And I know you have many—fantasies that is.

First of all, why are you getting into swinging? Are you looking for a little sex on the side of your relationship? If you are, you may be disappointed in the long run. Swinging is so much more than a cheap thrill.

This isn’t a way to have sex with more people, but a way to safely live out some fantasies with someone that you love. So, stop and think about this good and hard before you try it out.

Experience does count

You want to talk with other swingers to see how the lifestyle actually is. Chances are that you’ll hear about all of the positive aspects, but also the real life consequences.

You can either check out the local swingers club or sign up online with an online dating resource to ask questions or read their advice. There are hundreds of books that you could purchase and read as well. This isn’t something to go into lightly.

It’s fun, no doubt, but having real expectations will make it even better for you, your partner, and everyone else involved. And you can have so much fun looking into it. Turn down the lights and use your imagination…

Are you strong enough?

How’s your current relationship? If you’re on your own, how’s your mental state? What is your reason for trying swinging? Are you having problems and think that trying something new will help? Wrong answer.

If you already have problems—either on your own or in a relationship– trying out swinging, then you may actually multiply the problems that you have. If jealousy is a tiny problem in your relationship, then swinging will only magnify it. If you can’t communicate with your partner, then you may not be able to say what you want or how you’re feeling about something that you’ve done or want to do. And the distance between you will only grow.

You need to have a strong commitment to yourself and your needs, as well as be able to talk things out as they come up.

Safety is key

Just because you’re ready to swing and think that everything and everyone is safe, you are wrong. You have to be ready to discuss sexually transmitted diseases and how you’re going to protect yourself and others. Have yourself tested and talk about what kinds of protection you will use. I know that this isn’t a very sexy topic, but neither is AIDS and everything else out there.

If you are uncomfortable talking about protection, then you aren’t ready to swing. When you involve another person, you have to be considerate of their health, as well as your own.

When you’re thinking about swinging, approach it like you would any other big decision. You wouldn’t buy a car without looking at the details and the price, so why barter your body and your fantasies any differently?

Make life fun again! Get an amazing free ebook by Julia. Visit the

Most cultures support a bride as she goes from being a single woman to being a married woman. There are specific rituals, specific actions, and specific people who help her glide through this transition. Those cultures aren’t so concerned with creating a gorgeous event as they are with helping a woman make an internal shift from one role to another.

That shift is of seismic proportions!

It automatically brings up every emotion you’re capable of having, and those feelings are probably amplified. Our culture is so focused on the Special Day that the internal shift is often ignored.

The bride is the center of attention, but the irony of it is, her emotional self can be ignored. As she makes the shift from “me” to “we” the feelings that come up can end up being projected onto the details of the wedding.

What does that mean?

If you can’t have the kind of flowers you wanted, you feel emotionally overwhelmed – that may stem from the grief, or other feelings you’re encountering inside. Grief! Yes, grief. Whenever we make an internal shift, we lose something and we gain something. At a wedding, you lose being able to be only “you.” From then on, you will be an essential partner focused on “we.” Your old life is essentially dying as a new life takes root.

If you can’t have your wedding in the place you wanted, you may feel angry – that can come up as a result of feeling powerless inside. Powerless! Yes, powerless. Again, from now on, you won’t be in total control in terms of the choices you make in life. There will be a “we” to consider.

If your dress isn’t exactly the way you wanted it to be, you may dissolve into tears – tears can come up because you’re suddenly feeling small and uncertain with a low self-esteem. At any given moment, the child inside you may not be ready to leave home.

Emotions and weddings go together. That’s a given. Almost every bride (and groom!) feels very emotional at some time during the process.

There are lots of people who can help you with the details of your wedding. Wedding coaches help you with your interior life that’s represented by your wedding.

You’ve probably been dreaming of this day since you were a little girl. The first thing you need to do is pull all of your ideas into one radiant vision!

Put away the pictures from all the magazines. Just for a while, put your wedding planner down. Leave behind all of the advice you’ve received from your relatives, friends and shop-owners.

Want we want to do here is make sure you’re clear about exactly what you want for yourself and your groom. Here is an exercise to help you focus on the aspects of your wedding that you would like to create:

Take a deep breath, and now another. In a moment, you’ll close your eyes. When you do, imagine exactly the way you want your wedding to feel. What does your special day feel like for you? Can you see yourself getting dressed? What do you feel like? Can you see yourself at the beginning of the ceremony? How does that feel? Can you see your groom waiting for you? How are you feeling now? As you walk up to be with him, how are you feeling now? As you go through your ceremony, how does that feel?

Take a few moments, and imagine your wedding day from the very beginning until the very end. When you’re through, write down what came to you.

Good job! Were there any surprises?

If you imagined yourself beautiful and relaxed, radiant and in love, you’re very lucky. But many people can’t see a vision at all. Or they see themselves as fearful and anxious.

It’s important to envision your wedding as you would like it, with joy and love, then take a deep breath and relax.

The rite of passage has already begun, so enjoy the journey!

Summary

When planning marriage:

Make sure you are both on the same track Start thinking of ‘we’ not just me Everything doesn’t have to be perfect Have a spirit of play and joy Emotions and your wedding go together – be aware of internal emotions through the transition Imagine your dream wedding

Mitta Vicki Wise is an RN, Stress Management and Alternative Health Practitioner for over 15 years. She also is a Wedding coach for bride’s stress management and to help brides be beautiful on the inside and the outside!
She is the co-author of the book: “The Relaxed and Radiant Bride”

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Co-author for this article: Sandra Reid
Sandra has dressed hundreds of brides in beautiful wedding gowns and now works as a financial, life and wedding coach. She also has a background in Holistic Health and is the co-author of “The Relaxed and Radiant Bride”