Did you know there are 43 muscles in our face, some of which we use when we smile? Our smile conveys our mood and our disposition. It also relates to others our general attitude about life. Whether we view the glass as half-full or half-empty can...
Dear Dr. Bill, I live in an emotionally abusive marriage. My husband is often angry, manipulative, critical, controlling and sarcastic. No matter what goes wrong, he blames me. I am sad and miserable and simply can’t take it anymore. Once I understood that I was a...
Loving Complaints Require Self Examination Step One: What is your motivation? It's hard to be honest about this one. Often, our primary goal is to let our spouse know how wrong they were. We’ve been hurt and simply want to issue a strong reprimand. We give them some of...
Loving Complaints Require Self Examination Step Two: Own Your Part. Ask yourself what was going on in you when the incident occurred. Are you sensitive to embarrassment or criticism? Do you care too much what others think? Are you defensive? Look forthe part in you that made this...
Loving Complaints Require Self Examination Step Three: Speak the Truth in Love. This is not easy and is almost impossible while you are angry. Cool off. Wait an hour or longer. You must have a soft start. Don’t begin with an harsh language. “I need to tell...
Dear Dr. Bill, My cousin has been married 15 years and has two children. Her career has required several moves that have been hard for her husband. She says “We don’t talk” and feels sad they “aren’t lovers anymore”. Her husband doesn’t have time for counseling...
Dear Dr. Bill, I cannot believe I am writing this letter. Two weeks ago, I discovered suspicious looking e-mails written by my wife to a man at her work. What I found were dozens and dozens of love letters, many containing very explicit sexual content. Yes,...
Dear Dr. Bill, I’ve been reading your columns and have just one question. What planet do you live on? I can’t believe your Pollyannaish advice is very helpful in the real world. In my world, my husband is cold and distant and often blaming me for...
Dear Dr. Bill, We have a huge problem in our marriage of 8 years and two wonderful kids. I am much more interested our physical relationship than my wife is and it’s making me crazy. I resent that everything with her gets higher priority than my needs...
Perhaps you have felt this way about your marriage at one time or another? “I wonder if I’ve married the right person?” “I wonder if we can work this out?” “I wonder if I will ever be happy in this marriage?” “I’m willing to hang in...