Strategies and mindsets for developing Marriage Mastery, Parent Training, and Self-Mastery.
See Jonathan's other related blog projects in the sidebar:
- The Q&A Series
- The GR Masters Project
- The 52 Love Songs Project
- The 365 Love Quotes Project
- Rock Therapy
- In the News
The 1st-Ever Batman vs. Superman vs. Spider-Man DANCE-OFF!!
I give you the first ever Batman vs. Superman vs. Spider-Man DANCE-OFF!! Cast your vote in the comments below!
Finally Politicians I Can Get Behind! 5 Funny Campaign Ads
I'm very much a moderate, which is super beneficial as a marriage and family therapist where being able to see both sides is a great asset. However, politically, being a moderate drives me nuts as there's never a candidate in a polarized bi-partisan system that appeals fully to me. Ah well. However, there are a few (fictional) politicians I've found that I can get behind—not necessarily for their politics but just for their sheer honesty. So if you, like me, need a breath of fresh air amidst the political circus here are five funny campaign ads to give you a chuckle...
Uncle Jon's Obvious Observations: #1-30
I ran this series of silly, sarcastic, mild rants on Facebook and they garnered a lot of funny responses and even interesting conversations.
7 Red Lines: The Importance of Having a Realistic Approach to Change
People come wanting a solution to a train wreck of a marriage: Save our marriage and transform it into a truly GREAT relationship. "Certainly. That's what I'm here for and I love to help people do... Let's get cracking...". And then they proceed to tell me how it should be constructed based on myths, what they heard, opinions and preferences that are contrary to how healthy relationships actually function; in what ridiculously short time frame it should occur; with minimal to no actual study, practice and effort on their part because "really it shouldn't be this hard" nor "take this long." And then if they don't accomplish their goals in those parameters they quit therapy saying, "Well, we tried. Counseling just doesn't work." And they stay discouraged and stuck.
"Proud" Parenting Moment: Learn from the Master
I was outside today working on the car when my wife drove up returning from running errands. She got out and disbelievingly asked me, "Did you really say that?!" "Say what?" She then showed me my 16-year-old daughter's tweet:
Funny Tombstones & Maintaining Perspective
An elderly client told me years ago: "When I was a boy my mother said to me, 'Son, everything in this life matters... just not very much." Your life matters. It's a one-shot around this amazing spinning globe. Life is precious and rare in our end of the galaxy. Make the most of it. Enjoy it. Do good. Make the world and someone's life a little better for your passing. Just don't let your ego fool you into thinking you're so darn important.
Humor: Real-to-Life Wedding Vow
She's Having a Babyis actually a pretty great movie—funny with a solid message. Kevin Bacon's character, Jake, is clearly in over his head and overwhelmed by adjusting to the commitment of married life. However, as is true in a healthy marriage, few are fully ready, but like Jake grow into maturity. Looking back I realize I had no clue what I was doing. But I had commitment and a willingness to learn and to figure it out. Fortunately, that's often enough.
"Because I'm the Man..."
Friends, I am still astounded (even though I should know better) when I hear some men use the "argument", "Because I'm the man" to get their way and to exert control over their partners. That this still continues in this day and age is really amazing... and pathetic. Yet it does still and it takes all my professional training to keep from... Well, I won't say. Fortunately, there are many men who have long ago rejected that worn-out oppressive model.
ADHD and Zombie Torches
Ever wonder what an ADHD professional who works on his own does when he gets distracted off task? Well, naturally, he makes torches in preparation for the Zombie Apocalypse. Duh! Build Your Own! Here's how...