Communication
Danger! Differences ahead.
Most of us were attracted to someone very different from ourselves, but we can’t seem to come to grips with those differences. The old saying that “opposites attract” is further validated in our culture one marriage at a time. One day we seem to be together and the next day (hour or minute) we are not even on the same planet.
The degree of differences between spouses greatly affects the potential level of conflict within their marriage. Two key areas of marriage that lead to divorce, according to professional counselors are: lack of communication and differences of opinion on the subject of finances1.
As a financial representative I can tell you from my own personal experience that nothing is more uncomfortable than meeting with a couple that have major differences of opinions on money and finances. It becomes a toss-up whether I should persevere, or pack up before bullets start flying.
Discovering the Communication Profile has been a blessing to both me and the people who have taken it. They are able to see and identify their differences so they can move toward understanding their differences as strengths. This 24 question assessment will take you about 10 minutes to complete. When completed you will receive a snapshot of your natural communication strengths. Your Natural Strengths Chart presents a visual picture of the predictable ways that you naturally approach or respond to problems, information, change and risk.
I encourage you to click on the link below and take the no cost, no obligation assessment regardless of your marriage status. It has the potential to reveal a lot that you probably did not know about yourself.
http://www.ccp4me.com?session_code=103609MDP-Web
A $30.00 value.
When it comes to the reality of Love and Money couples need to be on the same page. There are a number of good books that have been written on this very subject. My favorite is Love and Money co-authored by Rodney Cox and Don Blanton. I have provided some information about that book if you are interested in knowing more about this topic and how it can influence your relationship.
In a Rut or Packing Up? Meet the Stuckeys and the Baileys.
The Stuckeys are “stuck” in a rut. They have resigned themselves to their present condition and parked their relationship at this comfortable but boring address in life. They have bought a lie: “This is as good as it will ever get.
The Baileys are at what seems to be an insurmountable impasse. The only solution they can see is to throw in the towel – to “bail” out! They, too, have bought a lie: “There is simply no hope for our marriage!”
How we handle money often leads to conflict in marriage, the underlying issues are often miscommunication and misunderstanding. Love and Money will open your eyes to how communication and money can work well in your marriage. You’ll gain a language to communicate better, a view that your differences are really strengths, and the understanding needed to blend your differences into true teamwork. You’ll learn how to plug leaks in your current finances and how to make the most of your future finances.
The Love and Money books are not available on Amazon or in bookstores like Barnes & Noble. They are available through this website and I can get them to you. They are $20 each including shipping and handling. Please contact me through this website by providing your contact information below so that I can determine how best to get them to you.
1 Kreider, Rose M. and Jason M. Fields, 2001. Number, Timing and Duration of Marriages and Divorces: Fall 1996. Current Population Reports. Pp. 70-80. U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC