There’s always something new to learn when you watch nature documentaries, if you’re into that sort of thing. Some of the most fascinating clips are when you look at a setting – it could be in the jungle, a desert, or next to a river – and everything initially appears safe. On closer inspection, however, you find that there’s some creature right there; well camouflaged, but right there, ready to deal death. Often, when it comes to toxic relationships, [...]
There is no doubt that the world we live in feels like a curious mixture of good and bad. Our world has beauty in it, both natural and created by people, but it also has a lot in it that brings tears to one’s eyes. Families are generally a good thing; they are the first place we learn what belonging means, and that’s beautiful. However, families can also be hotbeds of dysfunction, and they can be places of deep [...]
There are many sources of generational family conflict; disagreements, misunderstandings, and tensions that can arise between family members of different generations. These conflicts can be influenced by a variety of factors, including differences in values, beliefs, lifestyles, and communication styles. Have you ever found yourself engaged in a conversation something like this: “Back in my day . . .” “Things aren’t the same for you as they are for me.” “You just don’t want to work.” “Well, you don’t [...]
The term “narcissist” is used in popular culture to define anyone who is vain, arrogant, or brimming with confidence. This makes for an unpleasant person to deal with, and perhaps the sort of person you would rather avoid. However, the psychological understanding of narcissism goes a little deeper, and those who are in a relationship with a narcissist, or work for one, may benefit from understanding a little more about this trait. When we don’t have the option of [...]
Dealing with infidelity, separation, or divorce in a marriage is one of the most disruptive, emotionally tumultuous chapters in anyone’s life. It can take years to sort through your emotions and find some kind of closure, enough to move on and start again. Before you see some sort of resolution, however, there will be a period where you cycle through all different kinds of thoughts and feelings. Infidelity doesn’t only damage a marriage, but it causes all manner of harm [...]
Would you consider yourself a person with anger problems? Most of us probably have a mental image of what we think an angry person looks like, and it probably isn’t us. There are some well-known ways to express anger that are often understood to be what anger is all about. Incidents of road rage that go viral, instances of domestic abuse, or fights breaking out between sports fans often come to mind when the word “anger” is mentioned. Anger [...]
Relationships don’t always work out the way you would like. Instead of finding the person you’ll spend the rest of your life with, you can end up feeling dejected and heartbroken because expectation and reality collide with horrible results. Heartbreak is common for both men and women, but how we handle those challenges and disappointments will vary from person to person. A breakup can happen for several reasons at any stage of a relationship. Maybe you just weren’t compatible, [...]
There comes a moment in many of our lives when it slowly dawns on us that our best friend might not be such a good person. Sometimes it takes ages to see this, because a best friend is usually the person that we spend the most time with, and the person we trust the most. In some cases, we have grown up with them, and have known them our whole lives, so realizing that they exhibit toxic behavior can [...]
Relationships can be a mix of blessings and challenges. Sometimes, depending on the season you’re in, your relationships with others could be spaces of nurture, joy, and fulfillment. Alternatively, they could be challenging, a source of deep stress, or perhaps just unpleasant to be in. Romantic relationships can be like this, too. If you do find yourself struggling, Christian couples counseling is available to help you through it. How Christian Couples Counseling Works Christian couples counseling is a form [...]
Gaslighting is a term that is becoming more commonly used to define abusive relationships. It happens when you aren’t even aware. It may seem subtle at first but then it implodes into a whirlwind of emotions. Trying to describe how gaslighting happens can be difficult at times because of the persona of the abuser. Understanding the gaslighting signs can help you recognize whether you are in an abusive relationship. What is gaslighting? The term gaslighting is used to describe [...]
Spending the holidays when you are single doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are some practical tips and uplifting advice that will help you embrace the season, find some joy, and make it meaningful. Holidays have long been considered a time for love, family, and connection, which may make being single rather challenging. Sometimes, you can’t help comparing when the world outside seems to be focused on couples and families. However, there are times when being single during the [...]
A lot of people are more familiar with physical abuse because it is tangible, and it is often perpetrated against the body. It is easier to prove physical abuse because such abuse often leaves physical evidence as proof. Emotional abuse, on the other hand, can be quite complex in that it cannot be seen. The person against whom the emotional abuse is being perpetrated might not realize early on that they are being emotionally abused because it mostly involves [...]
