by: Janeen Diamond 

Quote: “...we see a few redeeming qualities and we think we’ve found “the one.” Well, let me tell you - some of us have found “the one” more than once!”

What is it about us humans that we believe, in order to be truly happy, we need a significant other in our life at all times? I think more of us need to work on being okay with being alone — at least for awhile until we know we are ready for the kind of relationship that will truly add to our own individual happiness.

by: Toni Coleman, LCSW, CMC

Dear Toni:

I want to know if I am married to an abuser. No, this is not a trick question. I am a professional 32 year old, recently married woman who is starting to notice things about my spouse and our relationship that may be red flags.

Some history--our relationship has always been intense, and throughout our courtship we only had a few real “fights,” but he never got physical except a few times when he grabbed my arms hard and shook me and once when he pushed me in anger.

by: Jim Duzak JD

DEAR JIM: I’ve been going with a guy for nearly three years. I’m 35, he’s 39 and neither of us has ever been married (although he once lived with a woman for four years). He spends most weekends at my home.

I really like him and could see myself marrying him, but whenever I bring up the idea of marriage he says we shouldn’t rock the boat. He keeps referring to the fifty percent divorce rate and says he would never want to go through a divorce or subject himself to the misery of the divorce process. His parents were divorced when he was young, so I can understand him being gun-shy about marriage, but I honestly feel we could make it work. Is there anything I can say that might convince him that he’s worried about nothing? (“M.J.”)

by: Janeen Diamond, BA

Is it my imagination or are we living in a world gone mad?

Several of my friends have been suffering and worrying about the attitudes and choices of their grown children. It seems we’re back to that ‘anything goes’ mentality, and a lot of people are paying the price.

I must admit, I have found myself in a funk recently over some of the choices members of my own family have been making. It’s been an interesting time in my life -- one where I have had to not only suck it up, but actually toss aside some of the ideas I have held my entire life and see things differently.

By: Patricia Bubash, Ed.S., LPC

“He is my best friend.” Not an unusual comment, but typically, we would surmise spoken by a woman, maybe even a man or even a relative. These words came from the lips of a wife.

It isn’t the first time I have heard a wife say this about her other half, but it is the first time that I “really” thought about the impact of a “best friend” relationship to a marriage- and even more impacting, on a remarriage.

by: Tammy Greene

It would be hard to ignore the latest buzz in celebrity couple news. There has been little else talked about than the separation and impending divorce of Hollywood's darling, Gwyneth Paltrow, and front man rock star, Chris Martin. This marriage of 10 years has been closely protected and kept out of the public eye, so news of the break up has come as a surprise and a blow to their adoring fans.

by: Janeen Diamond

Quote: “It feels good to come together as spouses, exes, children, step-children, half-siblings, whatever the case may be..."

During the Christmas season, I think we all have slightly bigger hearts than we do throughout the year. That’s why I think you might put some serious thought into this unusual idea.It’s not really mine -- at least it didn’t start out that way, but over time I have started to see the wisdom in it and accept it as a brilliant plan.