Just as Valentine’s Day points to everybody else getting roses and chocolates and diamonds, it can point to your own relationship blunders. Before you give yourself a failing grade, though, consider the bell curve. How many people in your class, or circle of friends, really have the quality of relationship you want? Next, look at what you’ve learned from what seem like failed relationships. Now, how much of what you’ve learned, are you applying? As you calculate a grade, don’t forget to factor in the inherent stumbling and practice required to learn a new skill. And if you want to earn a better grade, take heart and continue reading.

You don’t have to learn through trial and error; you can pick up a book or take a class. Still, experience is the test! Fortunately, you get to keep taking it until you’re satisfied with your score. “The fastest way to succeed is to double your failure rate,” said Thomas J. Watson, founder of IBM. Granted, there may be people who don’t appreciate this concept, but don’t be troubled by them. They don’t have what you want; and they’re likely stuck in a rut. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is admit that what you’re doing isn’t working.… More

Ever wonder how happy you’re intended to be?

“Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” is how Jesus taught his disciples to pray.

I have to think heaven is a happy place–even when it is on earth. … More

Look for me and my baby … in “Success Stories From the Heart.”

Just released by Health Communications February 5.

To commemorate HCI’s 40th anniversary, many of its most loved and revered authors have contributed personal stories of lifechanging events in Success Stories from the Heart. Poignant and inspiring from cover to cover, these authors generously share their personal journeys to find truth, the unexpected discoveries they made along the way, and the spiritual renewals they experienced as a result. A brave and mighty volume, Success Stories from the Heart bares their souls and tells the stories of not only their own lives, but of the many lives they’ve touched.

Each contributing author in this extraordinary book has played a pivotal role in the advancement of mental health services and personal transformation. They coined the phrases, they made the discoveries, they are the vanguards who brought us a deeper understanding of the issues that affect us, our families, our communities, and every one of our relationships. They are the true, indispensable guides and mentors who rescue us from ourselves and each other, that teach us better, more fulfilling ways to live.

These stories chronicle experiences that go beyond the educational realm, past office visits and therapy sessions, and brought them deep into the tender realm of the heart.… More