Do the right thing, and then do the next right thing, and that will lead you to the next right thing after that. -Michael J. Fox This advice comes from a beloved American actor waging a very public battle with Parkinson’s disease. Versions of this quote are credited to a variety of coaches, speakers and authors from C.S. …
Pandemic and the Unexpected Gift
Pandemic. At the risk of stating the obvious, we are living through unusual days. No matter what part of the country you are in, if you listen to or read any news at all, you are aware that the world is more than a little chaotic right now. At the very least, there is much uncertainty. And no one really …
The Gift of A Strong Marriage (Part 3) Legacy
Legacy is often thought of in financial terms. It’s the money or the property or the family heirlooms left behind when someone dies. And while that is true, legacy is not always something you can hold in your hand. Because legacy is what you pass down to those who come after you. That might include money and property, but it …
Running Together into 2020
Have you ever seen a three-legged race? Teams of two people tie one leg to the other person’s leg and then take off running together on what looks like three legs. It’s awkward at best. And kind of silly. But after a few clumsy steps, it’s possible for two people who are tied to each other to cooperate and race …
Christmas: To Those Who Are Not Happy This Season
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. At least that’s what the song says. And everywhere people greet each other with “Merry Christmas!” or “Happy Holidays!” All over town, churches put on their best seasonal productions, and the music rings out joyfully. Lights twinkle, bells jingle. While at the local mall, Santa offers his best Ho Ho Ho. But …
Why #GivingTuesday Matters for Marriages in Crisis
#GivingTuesday provides an opportunity to support things you value. Causes that are important. Marriage Dynamics Institute exists to support marriage, which is the most intimate of human relationships. Marriage is beautiful. But it’s also challenging. And even the best relationships require tune ups and tweaks. They need to be nourished along the way to become strong and resilient, able …
A Thanksgiving Love Letter
How long has it been since you’ve written a love letter to your spouse? We found this sweet letter from a wife to her husband, and it inspired us. Because there’s something about an actual old-fashioned letter that is undeniably romantic—even when it’s written on a computer. In an age when too much communication comes in the form of a …
Grateful for the past—Anticipating the future at MDI
An open letter from our Executive Director: Fall classes are winding down, and we have one more A New Beginning workshop on this year’s calendar. It’s hard to believe, but very soon we’ll say goodbye to 2019 and launch into a new year. So much has happened! Marriage Dynamics celebrated 25 years of ministry this year. Recently, I sat down with our …
Gratitude: It’s Good for your Marriage
‘Tis the season for gratitude, aka Thanksgiving. And traditionally, Thanksgiving is marked by gathering around the holiday table with family and friends. (And watching football games on television. While enjoying another piece of pie.) Hopefully, in the midst of all the food and fun, we take time to give thanks for our blessings. Because Thanksgiving is all about gratitude. But …
Make the Holidays Easier on Your Marriage
Does your blood pressure rise when you look up and realize there are Christmas decorations out at your local big-box store, and it’s only OCTOBER? And feeling pressure to catch the Christmas spirit does not seem to make the holidays easier. Healthline surveyed more than 2,200 people and found that nearly 65% of people feel moderate or significant amounts of …