Episode 23: Wedding Ring or Boxing Ring?

As Kaitlin enters the final stretch before her wedding, just a few weeks away, this conversation revolves around the loving "ins and outs" of THE RING. Which is it, THE WEDDING RING or THE BOXING RING? Good advice is timeless. Whether we are single, dating, engaged, newly married or in the "seasoned" category, we can all use relationship refreshers that, when applied, help us live responsive, not reactive, lives. Marriage 101: 1-Stay away from using ALWAYS AND NEVER in "spicy and dicy", really any, conversations. 2-Counting to 10 before responding is NEVER a bad thing to do:) 3-Pressure points can be fertile ground for growth, when we hold our tongues to pray and ponder, instead of holding a grudge while we pout and prance off. 4-The "Sandwich Conversation technique" serves everyone well: one way to approach "hard" conversations productively (high)1 thing you appreciate - (low)1 thing you did not appreciate - (high)1 thing you appreciated and the only thing the other person can respond with is THANK YOU! **Beginning and ending on a high note, makes the valley not so disastrous. 5- Shared activities are important. **"2 become 1" does not mean that each gives up what makes them unique or their personal preferences; it means we compliment one another, celebrating differences, while finding common ground to grow in and on together. Relationships are ever growing. While comprise is a negative when it comes to morals, it is a necessity if we want thriving relationships. 6-Cherish the traditions from both of your pasts as you move into a life together, while establishing new traditions unique to the ONE you have now become. 7- COMMUNICATION COMMUNICATION COMMUNICATION - Kaitlin shares the premarital counseling curriculum her church uses: Check out Dr.Les and Leslie Parrott: http://www.lesandleslie.com **"Les and Leslie. A husband-and-wife team who not only share the same name, but the same passion for helping others build healthy relationships. In 1991, the Parrotts founded the Center for Relationship Development on the campus of Seattle Pacific University – a groundbreaking program dedicated to teaching the basics of good relationships." ADDITIONAL RESOURCES REFERENCED: *** Pre-marriage assessment tool: http://www.symbis.com *** John Maxwell: http://www.johnmaxwell.com *** Jimmy Evans: http://marriagetoday.com the concept of marriage being the dance of "compatible opposites"