Osage Beach Couples Retreat

The Love Byrd’s

Senordor & Valencia Hines

Susan Marshall

Ice breaker:

This therapist had a theory that couples who make love once a day are the happiest couples.

So, he decided to test it at a seminar by asking those assembled, “How many people there make love once a day?”

Half the people raised their hands, each of them smiling from ear to ear.

Next, he asked, “Once a week?”

A third of the couples raised their hands, their grins were a bit less vibrant.

Then, “Once a month?” A few hands timidly went up.

Then he asks, “OK, how about once a year?”

One man in the back jumps up and down, jubilantly waving his hands like Arnold Horshack.

The therapist was shocked—this man just disproved his theory.

So, he asked the man, “If you make love only once a year, why are you so happy?”

The man yelled out, “because today is the day!”

Communicating Effectively in Conflict Situations

It is our belief after over 20 years of marriage and family counseling, that if you can communicate properly you can work through anything as a couple.

And the skill set to communicate effectively is especially needed when there is conflict or conflicting opinions.

If we can communicate through difficult topics, then it becomes easier to communicate our needs and even our desires to our mate.

Hindrances to Healthy Communication

In discussing what hinders healthy communication we will in essence discover what helps healthy communication.

We will discuss these in no particular order of importance and not as an exhaustive list, but we want to discuss some things that we have seen personally and professionally.

1. Not understanding the way your spouse is hardwired.

2. Having a one-track mind. (Your track)

3. Trying to win or force your opinion onto your spouse.

4. Not having enough information to make informed or wise choices.

5. Placing too much significance on who your trauma says you are.

If we have time, we can talk about a few examples that couples struggle communicating through.

*Blended families!

*In ministry together but priorities not in order!

*Adult children causing issues in our unity!

*Infidelity in our past!