55 Rules For Love – Rule #38 – Compliment Often

Originally Published: March 18th, 2021 2026 A lot has changed since I originally wrote this blog in 2021. After running a half-marathon in October of 2022, my body decided to quit. Since then, I am unable to run – my hips and knees will not allow it. This has resulted in gaining the weight back…

55 Rules For Love – Rule #37 – Don’t Waste Energy With Negative Thoughts

Originally Published: March 17th, 2021 Cognitive Distortions I’ve had enough personal experience in therapy to be well aware of the types of cognitive distortions usually described within Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I’m referring to CBT as a means to identify types of cognitive distortions or unhelpful thinking patterns that will negatively effect a relationship. Negative…

55 Rules For Love – Rule #36 – Do Not Carelessly Throw Away Love

Originally Published: March 16th, 2021 Kate and Toby Recently, my husband Michael and I started watching the powerful family drama, This Is Us, on Netflix. We immediately fell in love with the show. We’re nearing the end of the first season, and as I prepared to dive into writing Rule #36 – Do Not Carelessly…

55 Rules For Love – Rule #35 – Don’t Play Mind Games

Originally Published: March 14th, 2021 What Are Mind Games? According to TherapyMantra, Mind Games are: Types of Mind Games These are popular Mind Games: Gas Lighting – The Overused Term I work at a high school. I hear students say, “Stop gas lighting me” or “She’s gas lighting me” on a regular basis. I shake…

55 Rules For Love – Rule #34 – Be Each Other’s Best Friend

Originally Published: February 28th, 2021 I’ve moved, shifted a lot in my lifetime. I’ve met lots of wonderful people along the way. But, I keep people at a distance. Nature is where I am most at home. Surrounded by trees, water, animals and earth. What I’ve always wanted is one person to be both my…

55 Rules For Love – Rule #33 – Have Fun, Laugh And Play – A Lot

Originally Published: February 6th, 2021 Don’t Take Life So Seriously These COVID days are tedious. Wearing a mask all day is horrible. Constant hand sanitizing ruins my skin. Social distancing and cohorts emphasize dis-connection. While all of these precautions are necessary – life just feels harder because of it. Having fun, laughing and playing together…