If you don’t have a great relationship, then ask yourself if you are doing everything possible to have the relationship you want. Never mind what your partner is (or isn’t) doing and stop pointing the finger of blame. Pay attention to your own behavior, put in the correction where necessary, and be aware every minute of every day of your behavior. Continue reading
It’s time for New Year’s Resolutions. Never mind dieting. You know you’re not going to do it anyway. Instead, resolve to engage in everyday emotional foreplay and if you keep that resolution, I promise that you’re marriage will quickly become one that every one of your friends will envy. Continue reading
I guess to some people marriage is restrictive, impinges on freedom, and is confining. I just don’t see it that way. There is nothing I want to do that I’m not free to do. It’s a matter of choice. I want to keep my marriage and to keep it happy. Therefore, I choose not to do the things that jeopardize that. Continue reading
I’m often asked the one piece of advice I would give all couples. I usually say: consider every moment one that either makes or breaks your relationship. To that, I would add this: consider every moment the last one you’ll ever have. Live it without regret. Continue reading
If your wedding was the last time you articulated the promises and pledges your make to your sweetheart, consider renewing them. Go to a quiet and beautiful place—preferably one that means something to you as a couple—just the two of you, and renew your vows as a reminder of what you promise to each other. Live every day in fulfillment of those promises. Continue reading
Couples that play together, stay together. Get nutty. Get Crazy. Get silly. Have fun together. Life is short and uncertain. Enjoy every minute. Continue reading
Our brains are hardwired to focus on the negative. That’s why it’s so important to consciously focus on the positive. You can do it. It simply takes retraining your brain. That’s not as hard to do as it may sound. Start by making your list of all that partner does and refer to every time you have a negative thought. Continue reading
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Foreplay. When you hear that word, is sex the first thing that comes to mind? Of course it is! It may even have been a Google search on just that very topic that brought you here. Well, guess what? Foreplay's not just about sex. Foreplay is also about intimacy — emotional intimacy between you and your partner. That kind of foreplay is what leads to a great marriage or any great romantic relationship — including truly awesome, passionate, my-eyes-are-rolling-back-in-my-head sex.
You see, just as great foreplay is essential to Wow! sex, great emotional foreplay is essential to a Wow! relationship. And that, dear reader, is what this blog is all about. Emotional foreplay is what makes your sweetheart feel high-on-a-pedestal adored, always-number-one special, you-deserve-the-best nurtured, and can't-live-without-you cherished. Emotional intimacy is that so-strong-it's-almost-tangible connection between you and your sweetie that comes from warts-and-all acceptance of each other, unconditional mutual trust, and unshakable confidence that you are always right there for each other in every important way.
Believe me, I get it. I know how difficult it is in today's crazy busy world to let your relationship slide to the back burner. But I also know how easy it is to engage in Everyday Foreplay and rack up the Frequent Foreplay Miles® that keeps your sweetheart smiling. I'm here to help.
Shela Dean is a Relationship Happiness Coach and speaker. She has counseled more than 2,000 couples since 1983 and is the author of Frequent Foreplay Miles, Your Ticket to Total Intimacy! Shela began studying the dynamics of personal relationships during her two-decade career as an estate and family attorney before retiring from law to begin coaching in 2004.
I'm married to Dale who is hands down, the nicest guy on the planet. He's kind, generous, cute, a great cook, and funny. He's not, of course, perfect. For example, he's chronically late. In fact, that's why Frequent Foreplay Miles began. It was over morning coffee and cinnamon-toast when, 10 years ago, I explained to Dale the effect his being late had on me.
© Copyright 2011 Everyday Foreplay - Shela Dean — Relationship Coach, Speaker & Best-Selling Author