Village Radio  

Many of us have spent the last years discussing war, terrorism, and more recently, the financial crisis. Many of your love relationships may have taken a beaten in this very unpredictable time we find ourselves in today. I have become extremely emotionally exhausted by the state of national and world affairs and needing to depend more and more on my marriage for the safe, supportive, and loving nourishment that I need. Like with anything you constantly pull from, you need to replenish it so it doesn’t dry up.  That is why it is so important to create sacred space and renew your commitment to your partner. It doesn’t require a lot of money or a fancy vacation, but rather a loving exchange that renews shared goals and commitments to one another. Kamau and I have created 8 relationship techniques that will help us replenish and strengthen our love and we would like to share them with you:

1. Pray together. Everyday you and your partner should renew your spiritual commitment to your higher power before you begin your day.

2. Develop or reaffirm your individual goals.  Each member of the relationship should develop their individual goals and then share them with their partner.  This helps each person understand their responsibility to their own ideas, goals, and purpose. Also, no relationship is successful unless each member is happy.

3. Create or reaffirm your relationship goals together. Love has tremendous power and two people working toward a goal is extremely powerful. You and your partner should create at least one thing you want to accomplish this year. It may be buying a new home, taking a fabulous vacation, or tackling credit card debt. What ever it is, make is clear, simple, and attainable.

4. Laugh together. Rent a comedy from the video store and watch it and enjoy one another’s company

5. Plan time alone. At least one hour per week you and your partner should dedicate to solely each other.  You can go out to dinner, have a picnic in a park, or get some ice-cream.

6. Read a book together. This is a great way to engage one another intellectually. What ever the book you chose, make it interesting and easy for discussion.

7. Take walks. Walks are great for exercise but they are also great for holding hands and talking to one another.

8. Exercise together.  We all can stand to lose a few pounds, especially after the holidays. You and your partner should develop and implement a weekly exercise regiment that helps to bring the two of you closer.