It can be very difficult trying to relate to some folk at times.

However a well founded relationship will always ride the storms, especially when these 5 attributes are in the hearts of the folk involved.

Trust.
This can be a big “issue” for many people. Perhaps you have difficulty trusting because of past betrayals or failures. Trusting again may be a risk, but let’s face it all of life involves risk. If you don’t take any risks, you will not achieve anything.

John Kennedy is quote as saying: “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”

Do you want to miss the future? I am sure you don’t. Don’t let past failures hinder your present and future joys.

Are you looking for more friends? Make sure you can be trusted. Are you trustworthy?

Respect.
What is respect? The dictionary includes such words as esteem, regard and even honor in its definition of the word respect.

Everyone needs to be loved and respected. One of the benefits of great friendships is that you have someone who genuinely respects and esteems you, no matter what may happen in your life.

Don’t flatter yourself that friendship authorizes you to say disagreeable things to your intimates. The nearer you come into relation with a person, the more necessary do tact and courtesy become. Oliver Wendell Holmes

Value
Along with respect, we need to value our friends and relationships.

Each friend represents a world in us; a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only in meeting them that a new world is born. Anais Nin

Without these friends entering our lives we would miss out on a complete part of our own lives. Do you value the part your friends play in your life?

Forgiveness
Someone said it takes maturity to have real friends, and I would agree. Do you?

If you are looking for perfect friends during your journey on this earth, you will be sadly disappointed. Noone is perfect. There was only One perfect Man who every walked this earth.

This means that your friends will sometimes make mistakes and do or say something that may hurt you. This is why it takes maturity to have real friends.

A mature person is able to forgive quickly because they have learned that forgiveness is an attribute of real love.

A friend loves at ALL times (Proverbs 17:17)

Life is too short to spend it with anger, unforgiveness and resentment in our hearts.

Love
We have already mentioned love, and in fact all of the first four attributes are a part of what love really is.

Look out for more posts on this blog about love. There is a series of articles about love being drafted and will be published very soon.

Meanwhile make sure you enjoy your friends, have fun, share the good times and support and encourage in the difficult times.

May All Your Relationships be Successful!

Image by EJ Photo on Flickr.

If you find that when your son or daughter enters teenage years your relationship with them starts to change do not be concerned. This is a new phase of their life. As a child, they may have been willing to follow your ways, your standards and your beliefs.

However now they are entering a stage of life where they will decide on and define their own beliefs, standards and ways. Some of their decisions may conflict with your perspectives, but do not be concerned. If you trained them well as a child your influence in their lives will always be there to guide them.

With the help of some young friends, I have put together a series of tips designed to help you maintain a successful relationship with your teen during these restless years and on into their adulthood.

Teenage Years, Fun or Frenzy?

We started with looking at:

Eight things you can DO to help build and maintain the relationship between you as a parent and your teen.

One of these 8 tips was:
Do discuss issues with your teen. Now I am not talking about a heated discussion, but a good discussion over a cup of coffee or an ice cream. You may of course carefully point out the consequences of the issue in question, but the final decision will be theirs. Don’t ever try to control that.

What if they make the wrong decision? This is where unconditional love comes into the picture. You will always be there to support and love no matter what happens.

Now this does not mean you have to “bail them out”. No, let them pay the consequences (this is how they will learn), but always be there to support.

Dining together as a family was another tip that my friends thought to be important. The family dinner table can be a great place to share and strengthen family bonds.

You can find more about the first 4 tips (listed below), by clicking here.

• Do discuss.
• Do point out the consequences.
• Do allow choices.
• Do dine together as a family
  (Click on the link above or here to read more).

More about the second 4 tips (listed below) can be found here:

• Do trust them (this is very important)
• Do restrain (with wisdom)
• Do involve them in the family activities (they have not left home yet)
• Do continue to believe the best (this is also VERY important.
  Click on the link above or here to read more.)

Teenage Years – Parents Adventure or Nightmare?

This depends greatly on your relationship with your teenager.

Here is a list of things to avoid doing in order to maintain a successful relationship with your teen.

You can click on the links to read the complete post about the respective topic.

Don’t Argue

Don’t Threaten Your Teenager

Don’t Punish Us, My Teenage Friends Say

Don’t Smother Your Teenager

Don’t Antagonize Your Teenager
Here I take a look at three definitions of the word “antagonize, and apply them to your relationship with your teen.

Don’t Ignore Your Teenager
(This can be a major temptation when things get difficult.)

Don’t Give Up On Your Teenager

I trust these tips will help you with your relationship with your teen. I look forward to hearing about your experiences and recommendations that will help to build a successful relationship with our teenagers.

May All Your Relationships be Successful!

Jimmy is one of the icons on the internet marketing scene. He is one who’s work I have been following for quite a while. I like his style.

Along with comments about his plans for their celebration, Jimmy wrote an excellent post on his blog revealing the secrets to his successful marriage. Because Jimmy is an online marketer, he naturally took the opportunity to compare these three keys with our relationship to our business contacts.

However these secrets can actually help you with any relationship that is important to you whether it be with family, friends or business associates. This is the reason I am taking the opportunity to talk about this article today.

In a nutshell there are three main keys to a good marriage (and to any successful relationship).

1. Communication
2. Captivation
3. Cooperation

These are three keys to make all of your most important relationships endure through time.

I highly recommend that you read this article. I am sure you will be able to glen some great principles and ideas that you can apply and enhance all of your relationships, from marriage, friendship and business contacts. Read more about the three keys to a successful relationship here.

May All Your Relationships be Successful!

These tips were either suggested or approved by my teenage friends, and the sixth tip that was named is:

Don’t Ignore Your Teenager.
Two major keys to any successful relationship is love and communication. One expression of love is to show a genuine desire to communicate with the person.

When both love and communication are present in a relationship any problem can be worked out.

When some parents face difficulties with their teenagers that seem impossible to solve, they tend to take the “easy way out” and simply ignore their teen. I am sure you have heard of the theory “if I ignore it, it will go away”. This is so often the human way of coping with many situations that are difficult to handle.

However, in actual fact ignoring a problem does not solve anything, but rather it allows time for any unresolved emotional reactions to go deeper and fester.

There will be added difficulties if communication difficulties existed with your teenager when he or she was a small child. But be encouraged, it is not impossible to restore your relationship with your teen to become a successful one. It will take some time, patience and a determination to win. But always expect the best, and you WILL win!

• Love is gentle and kind. Be gentle in all your communication. The time to give orders is now over. You may have been able to give orders to your child when he or she was young, but they is now a young adult and will not tolerate being told to do anything. They are much more likely to respond when asked politely if they would do something.
• Love is respectful. Your teenager is now a young adult and deserves the same respect you would give to any of your adult friends.
• Love is considerate of the other person’s needs. Your teenager is finding his own feet in this world, and now has his own agenda. Be considerate of him or her as you would be of a close friend.

  Take some time to chat with your youngster. Talk about some possible family activities coordinating with their timetable. Ask him for suggestions also. You are sure to find your teen much more cooperative and willing to join you when you approach them with consideration.

Here are three suggestions to help you build or rebuild and maintain good communication with your teenager and let them know that you really love them.

Include your teenager in family activities.
Remember to include your teenager when you plan family activities. However invite him or her to participate, don’t order. Make sure you leave them with the freedom of choice.

Remember they are now at the stage of life where they are creating their “own life”. Invite them to participate with you and the rest of the family and they are more likely to reciprocate by inviting you to join them in some of their activities from time to time.

Invite to your teenager dine with the family.
If you already have established the habit of eating together as a family, this will be much easier. In fact it will be most likely be natural that your teenager will continue dine with the family on a regular basis.

If you have not been accustomed to dining together as a family, it is very important that you start a new family dining tradition as many times a week as your schedules will allow.

Remember do not demand they join you for the evening meal. Rather invite them to join you.using phrases such as “we would love to have you here this evening so that we could enjoy a meal together as a family” or “would you like to join us this evening for dinner, it would be great if you could”.

Inspire your teenager at every opportunity.
I have a friend who used to write little inspirational notes and hide them in her children’s lunch boxes or under their pillows when her boys were small. She continued to place notes under their pillows and around the house when they were older.

This is a very effective communication tool if used wisely. It made a lasting on my friend’s two youngsters who have grown up to be fine young husbands and fathers.

Here are some tips to inspire you to use this effective communication tool.

• Make sure that all of the notes you write are inspirational or motivational. Some of the notes could your own comments while others could be quotes from great men and women. When you use quotes, adding a simple comment from you as well may be appropriate.
• Take advantage of this tool to let your teen know how much you love them, believe in them and admire them. Some unexpected personal words of encouragement from you will always go a long way.
• Never use this communication tool as a weapon to try and manipulate or convey any negative message.
• Send a surprise text to their cell phone with a word of encouragement for the day. Again this word of encouragement can be a personal one from you, or a quote. And once again remember, never use texting for any negative communication.

I am sure that a little bit of patience, lots of love and effort to reach out to your teenager will certainly pay off for you.

May All Your Relationships be Successful!

The full series Embrace The Fun and Adventure With Your Teenager and Avoid the Frenzy and Nightmare can be found here

There are many kinds of love, but each one of them will only last is they include the greatest love of all – Agape Love.

Agape love loves even if it is not loved in return.
Agape love gives if it does not receive anything back.
Agape love does not give up.
Agape love never fails.

Add this kind of love to the love you have for all those around you and your life will change drastically!

Thanks to abhishekkumardavid on YouTube

May the Message of Easter be Real in Your Life, and
May All Your Relationships be Successful!

These tips were either suggested or approved by my teenage friends, and the third tip that was named is:

Don’t Punish.
I have to admit, this suggestion was not my idea. I did not come up with it, they did. Do not punish, they said. They insisted that this should be included in our series.

So where does this leave us parents? I certainly look forward to your comments below.

Here are some thoughts,

We all know and recognize that the teenage years can be a difficult time of life. There are many changes going on both in the bodies and the minds of the youngsters. Here are some of the main things that are happening to your teen:

• Your teen is no longer a child
• Your teen is not yet an adult – he just thinks he is.
• Your teen is old enough to make his (or her) own decisions, BUT they still need guidance.

However, guidance is not control.

• Punishing a teenager can send a message to a him (or her) that they are still under the control of their parents. Usually they will rebel against that loud and clear.
• Being punished by parents can make them lose face before their peers.
• Punishment from parents is likely to create more rebellion which can so easily lead to bitterness in their hearts and definitely a break in their relationship with you.

So what can you do?

• Become their friend. Gain and maintain their confidence
• Keep the communication lines wide open.
• Become “unshockable” (even though you’re not). Try not to show shock to your teenager, no matter what they tell you.
• All of these are expressions of love. Love is ALWAYS a major key.
• Gently point out the consequences of their decisions.
• Step back and allow them to decide.
• IMPORTANT: Allow them to pay the price of their decision. DO NOT step in and rescue them. They will not learn anything that way. In other words, if you are not going to interfere with their decision, do not interfere with the results.
• Be there to support, but let them pay the price. They have to learn in the same way you and I had to learn. (And let’s face it you and I are still learning from life’s experiences right?).

So in conclusion, let your teenagers discover life for themselves. Be their friend, be available but not overpowering.

May All Your Relationships be Successful!

 

The full series Embrace The Fun and Adventure With Your Teenager and Avoid the Frenzy and Nightmare can be found here

]]> http://successfulrelationshipsblog.com/dont-punish-us-my-teenage-friends-say/feed 1 http://successfulrelationshipsblog.com/dont-threaten-your-teenager http://successfulrelationshipsblog.com/dont-threaten-your-teenager#comments Sat, 21 Mar 2009 18:46:18 +0000 Yuli http://successfulrelationshipsblog.com/?p=401 Teenage Years - Parent's Adventure or Nightmare. How you can embrace the adventure and stay away from the nightmare. These tips were either suggested or approved by my teenage friends, and threatening was definitely named as one of the things NOT to do with your teenager. So tip number 2 is: Never threaten them. In the last article we looked at arguing. Arguing is never a way to create a healthy relationship with anyone, let alone a teenager who is already facing a lot of changes and complications in life. Another thing that will be sure to irritate a teenager is to threaten them. (Well threatening will provoke most anyone to anger right?). So number 2, of the 7 things not to do is:]]> This is the second article of the series Teenage Years – Parent’s Adventure or Nightmare. How you can embrace the adventure and stay away from the nightmare.

These tips were either suggested or approved by my teenage friends, and threatening was definitely named as one of the things NOT to do with your teenager. So tip number 2 is:

Never threaten them.

In the last article we looked at arguing. Arguing is never a way to create a healthy relationship with anyone, let alone a teenager who is already facing a lot of changes and complications in life.

Another thing that will be sure to irritate a teenager is to threaten them. (Well threatening will provoke most anyone to anger right?). So number 2, of the 7 things not to do is:

Don’t Threaten

When your teenager does or says something you don’t like, feel uncomfortable about or even worse highly concerned about, how you you react?

Don’t you dare do that or I will …. Mm, how many times have you said that to one of your friends, children, teenagers or spouse?

Does threatening work? Of course not! It is a very negative approach to any situation.

Let’s think about it for a second. When someone tries to hold a threat over you, how do you react? Everyone does have different ways of responding to situations, but in this case I am positive that all reactions would be negative no matter how they are expressed.

I am sure you would not ever react positively to a threat (at least not in your heart). I know I would not. You might be like the little boy who said “I am standing up as you asked, but I am sitting down in my heart”.

So was he really standing or sitting? That’s a good question. (Passive rebellion is a subject we will cover in a later article).

So what does trying to threaten our teenager, (or children or anyone else) actually achieve? Nothing positive actually. Here are some reactions that threatening a teenager will provoke.

1. It can be taken as a dare.

   So if I really do this, you will stop me from going out with my friends for a week? Let’s see if you can!

2. It can provoke curiosity and an opportunity for the threatened one to test the boundaries.

   Will you REALLY do this?

3. Threatening will provoke rebellion.

   Rebellion is described as refusal to accept some authority or code or convention. Threatening a teenager will definitely stir up rebellion in them. Remember they are already in a transition period full of all kinds of changes.

   They are learning to think for themselves more than ever as they enter into adulthood. They need to be allowed to think for themselves with adult guidance but NOT control.

4. Threatening is a manipulative action.

   What you are really trying to do is control the other person. Teenagers will see right through that one (so will most children) and usually react very negatively.

5. Threatening is a good way to start an argument.

   Arguments usually do not end with any solution. Instead they normally end with ill feelings, bitterness and even with one of the parties walking out in anger.

If you have not already read the Eight things you can DO to help build the relationship between you as a parent and your teen, you can find them here

I know you have a lot to add to this article from your own experience. Please let us hear from you! Thanks!

May All Your Relationships be Successful!

 

The full series Embrace The Fun and Adventure With Your Teenager and Avoid the Frenzy and Nightmare can be found here

]]> http://successfulrelationshipsblog.com/dont-threaten-your-teenager/feed 1 http://successfulrelationshipsblog.com/what-love-is-not http://successfulrelationshipsblog.com/what-love-is-not#comments Sat, 17 Jan 2009 21:51:48 +0000 Yuli http://successfulrelationshipsblog.com/?p=209 There is one main ingredient that binds together EVERY and ANY other principle that can be followed to build good relationships between parents and children. (In fact see what Dr Wagner shared in his comment here: "give lots of hugs. Our twins would come and hug us immediately after we disciplined them. That’s a Message!." (You can find Dr Wagner on Twitter at http://twitter.com/moneyinmarriage). My answer to Dr Wagner's comment: "absolutely!" In fact love is the key ingredient for all Successful Relationships. However, there is a misconception of what love really is and one of the places where this illusion is found is in the relationships between parents and children.]]> There is one main ingredient that binds together EVERY and ANY other principle that can be followed to build good relationships between parents and children.

(In fact see what Dr Wagner shared in his comment here: “give lots of hugs. Our twins would come and hug us immediately after we disciplined them. That’s a Message!.” (You can find Dr Wagner on Twitter at http://twitter.com/moneyinmarriage).

My answer to Dr Wagner’s comment: “absolutely!”

In fact love is the key ingredient for all Successful Relationships.

However, there is a misconception of what love really is and one of the places where this illusion is found is in the relationships between parents and children.

There are several things that love is not, and each of them are so important that we will take at look at them one at a time.

If you find yourself in any or many of these categories and scenarios, don’t worry, once you confront a fault and admit it you have made a major step towards changing it.

Love Is Not Manipulative!

Contrary to some opinions and concepts, your children are not actually yours as in owning them. No, you do not own them! .

Full responsibility – no ownership.
They are your responsibility to train and guide for this world AND for eternity, but they are not yours to control.

One of the traps that many parents fall into in this area is very subtle.

Many from past generations resolve to make sure the present generation does not have to suffer once they become parents.

A Trap for Parents
One classic example of this trap: Mum or Dad wanted to be a doctor when they were growing up. However family finances or other circumstances of life were difficult and they allowed these things to stop them from pursuing this dream.

(The development of the awareness of the importance of the right mindset in achieving success is relatively recent, so many of the past generations grew up thinking that they were somehow “cheated” out of their dreams by life or destiny. However its never too late to change your mindset).

So they grow up with a strong resolution concerning their own children:

• My children WILL have what I could not have, they will NOT suffer as I had to, is their affirmation.

In one way this is a noble commitment yet in another way it can be a dangerous one. What if little Johnny does not want to be a doctor?

Result? Johnny spends a frustrated life trying to live his parents dream instead of his own. (How many lives are being lived in this way? I have met some!) His parents have not meant to manipulate his life, but that is exactly what they ended up doing.

Yes the word “manipulate” is a strong one, but sadly it is possible to manipulate the lives of our children even unconsciously, as this example illustrates.

Note: Incredibly, I completed this post, turned on the TV to see a movie playing: Ice Princess

What is it about? A mother trying to fulfill her dream through her daugher!

• Are YOU living YOUR dream or someone else’s vision for your life?
• Are YOUR children being trained and guided to live THEIR dream or yours?

Train your children to discover and develop THEIR dream and follow it! Here’s how you can do that:

1. Realize and accept that your child is born with his OWN destiny and his OWN dreams.
2. Observe his/her interests and talents and give your child all the opportunities within your power to develop them.
3. Encourage him/her in their areas of strength and help them to strengthen their weak areas.
4. Recognize that children may want to be an aircraft pilot one day, and a veterinarian the next. That’s ok, they are finding their way.
5. Gently encourage them in their pursuits, but give them room to decide for themselves. Don’t jump to conclusions too early in their lives and start “pushing” them in any one direction.

The KEY WORDS are ENCOURAGE and FREE WILL.

• Gently encourage them in their interests and talents.
• Let them make the decisions (where their interests and what they want to pursue is concerned. Of course there are some daily decisions that parents have to make for their children, depending on their age).
• It is fine to lay before them the pros and cons of situations and the costs and benefits.
• Let them grow up realizing that REAL LIFE has its ups and downs, its failures and its triumphs.
• Teach them to create a successful mindset and they will be champions in whatever they pursue in life!

May All Your Relationships be Successful!


]]> http://successfulrelationshipsblog.com/what-love-is-not/feed 0 http://successfulrelationshipsblog.com/tough-love http://successfulrelationshipsblog.com/tough-love#comments Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:21:22 +0000 Yuli http://successfulrelationshipsblog.com/?p=171 Here's a living example: (Names changed, but situation is real). Some good friends of mine in Mexico whom I have known for probably 15 years or so have 2 sons. Both boys of course had the same opportunities, but as in many families, one was a little more rebellious than the other, actually quite a bit more rebellious. Drastic Measures Things became so difficult that one day the father stepped in and took some very drastic measures with the rebellious lad. He put him out of the home to fend for himself.]]> I am sure you have heard the term “Tough Love”, and perhaps even had to apply it at one time or another. At the time of confrontation it may even seem beyond tough, but be encouraged, it does pay off.

Here’s a living example: (Names changed, but situation is real).
Some good friends of mine in Mexico whom I have known for probably 15 years or so have 2 sons. Both boys of course had the same opportunities, but as in many families, one was a little more rebellious than the other, actually quite a bit more rebellious.

Drastic Measures
Things became so difficult that one day the father stepped in and took some very drastic measures with the rebellious lad. He put him out of the home to fend for himself. Now that seems like more than tough love!

The other son that stayed with his parents was given everything he needed, university education, cars, electronics – you name it, he had it. Sure he was a model son at home. He was usually present when I visited the home, and the conversation was always edifying.

Several Years Later
Now let’s fast forward to 12 yrs later (probably more than 12 yrs later – since I tend to lose track of time

The lad that was brought up in the protection of his home ended up trapped in the web of a seductive young lady whom he finally married and later divorced. When I saw him again a few short years ago while he was visiting his then sick father, I was shocked and saddened to see a very broken young man (he was just in the process of going through the divorce at that time).

The other son ended up with a great job, great wife and extremely polite children. I was astonished the first time I was greeted by a young lady, just 6 years old inviting me to sit down and then asking if I would like a cup of coffee when I visited her grandparents home.

Now, there is no question about it, the younger son loves his parents and visits them now and again (when he has time). He does care for them.

Guess Which Son Is The Most Caring Now They Are Both Grown?
However guess which son is ALWAYS there for his parents when they need something, highly respects them and shows a very caring attitude towards them?

Yes, it was so noticeable when the father took ill, that one day while visiting their home during Juan’s recovery I mentioned it. I asked him “which of the two is more attentive to you today?”

Which of the two do you think was named when I asked this question?

Does tough love pay off?

The problem in this “I want it NOW” age of today is that we tend to look for a short term fix, and often ignore the long term affects.

Of course the application of tough love will vary according to the situation and personalities involved. It may not always need to be applied in such a drastic way.

Above all it MUST be applied with GENUINE love (never desperation), as with all disciplinary measures.

LOVE is the key! Even when love must be tough, it must be genuine LOVE.

May All Your Relationships be Successful!

 


]]> http://successfulrelationshipsblog.com/tough-love/feed 3 http://successfulrelationshipsblog.com/forgive-who-me-i-have-nothing-against-anyone http://successfulrelationshipsblog.com/forgive-who-me-i-have-nothing-against-anyone#comments Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:25:06 +0000 Yuli http://successfulrelationshipsblog.com/?p=133 How many times I have heard this across the years as I talked with friends, families and folk seeking counsel and prayer. Most of them were unaware that they were holding grudges and here's why. This is a true story: There are several young folk (well they have grown a bit over the past years :) who look to me as a spiritual mother. I met them all when they were in their teens, and most come from a very broken or difficult home background.]]> How many times I have heard this across the years as I talked with friends, families and folk seeking counsel and prayer.

Most of them were unaware that they were holding grudges and here’s why. This is a true story:

There are several young folk (well they have grown a bit over the past years who look to me as a spiritual mother. I met them all when they were in their teens, and most come from a very broken or difficult home background.

One young man lost his father to a drunken brawl when he was about 7 years old. His mother did her best to provide for Juan and his brother and sister but in order to do that it meant she was not at home as often as the young children needed her to be.

Of course her absence in the home was noticeable, and when she did come home she was tired and often irritable  because she was over stressed. However all three children had the opportunity to study for a good career and in this area they lacked nothing.

But there is no substitute for a missing mother in the home. Children all feel it one way or another. Juan was no exception. This young man known as “Juanito” (little John) is over 6ft tall and looked healthy enough, yet he could not hold his hands steady as he stretched them out. He had consulted a doctor and was on medication, yet there was no clue as to what was wrong with him.

We were standing out on the street talking one afternoon after a meeting and he began to share with me some things about his childhood and his father. As we conversed I asked him: “Have you forgiven your mother?”

He looked at me in horror and said: “I have nothing against my mother. She did her best.”

Ah ha — here was the clue!

“She did her best” – What does that tell you?

Yes – he was EXCUSING -his mother, not FORGIVING her. There is a huge difference.

He kept saying things like:
She did her best.
I understand she was going through a lot too.
She had to support us and that meant she had to work hard.

All of these comments showed me he was excusing his mother for the pain he felt (which obviously was caused by the lack of his mother’s attention and affection when he was little).

I said to him – “That’s not the point. The point is not how your mother handled the situation. The point is how YOU handled it, and you felt her absence and THAT is what you need to forgive whether it was her fault or not”.

Forgiveness is NOT about who’s fault it was or is.

Forgiveness is all about “I felt hurt by this situation or this person” (whether being hurt was justifiable or not), and that is what I need to forgive.

• Do YOU have similar experiences hidden away in your heart that are still affecting you today?
  
• Are you aware of hurts you can’t get rid of (even vaguely aware of them).
  
• Have you thought that because a certain situation was no one’s fault the only way to deal with it was to try and put it out of your mind?
  
• Now is the time to face these hurts, forgive the person(s) involved whether it was their fault or not.
  

When Juan realized that he actually needed to forgive his mother (not excuse her), his health took an abrupt turn for the better! It was not long before he was off of medication and returning to the healthy and vibrant young man I knew he could be.

Today he is and his wife are proud parents of three lovely children (mm the oldest now a teenager), and also a very successful pastor of a growing church! (Yep I am proud of him).

This was all possible because he was able to face his hurts and forgive not excuse the one who offended him.

Now its your turn! Do you have someone in your life you may need to forgive? Today is the day!

May All Your Relationships be Successful!

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