Would you ever lie to your boyfriend or girlfriend about your personality, preferences, or life goals? As ridiculous as it may seem, painting a false picture of yourself is easier than you may think. Lying to your significant other does not have to be as blatant as saying, “I love dogs” when you clearly hate them. We can paint false pictures by happily attending sporting events with our sweeties while secretly hating them. By putting on a happy face, we appear to share a hobby that we have no intention of “enjoying” after marriage. Sometimes when we find ourselves smitten with an … [Read more...]

Maybe you are the kind of person who loves to try new experiences. Maybe you are drawn to them like a magnet to a fridge. Or, maybe you avoid the new and unfamiliar. I have been the hesitant, unsure friend most of my life. Surrounded by risk-takers, I was usually the one in the corner watching. I would have told you that I wanted it that way; yet, deep down, I felt left out and wished I was braver. Some of your quiet friends may actually mean it when they say, “No, I’d rather not try that.” But, some of them may be like me. “No, I’d rather not try that” might mean “I’d totally do that if I … [Read more...]

With my tenth anniversary (I cannot even believe it) just a month away, I have been thinking about a few lessons I have learned along the way which I wish I had known before I tied the knot. No couple is fully prepared for marriage no matter how many books they have read or discussions they have had together (but, you certainly can get closer to it!). It is important to prepare to be a husband or wife, but everyone encounters surprises; and, without challenges to work through, we would never grow. So, as strange as it sounds, I am thankful for the challenges. They made us stronger individually … [Read more...]

Last year on my birthday, I decided to take the weight-loss plunge. For years, I have been lying to myself and saying, “This year, you are going to get healthy!” But, I would make no lasting changes to my eating or exercise. When I came home to work in 2010, I just knew I would have time to devote to my health; and, while I did have the time, I lacked the motivation. Even though I was disgusted with how I looked, was tired all the time, saddened by my health limitations, and in all ways negatively affected by my weight, I still could not seem to muster up the energy to get started and stay … [Read more...]