VALENTINE’S DAY 2.0 IN APRIL??
Yup, if you embrace the energy of the Full Moon in Libra coming up on April 16th! It’s ruled by Venus, the looove planet and goddess, and always occurs during the fire-y, adventurous Aries season — a pretty dynamic combo. You’ll get a taste of it in our Libra Full Moon TeleMeditation this Friday at Noon — click HERE for details on how to join us.
Really, though, I’ve been in heightened relationship mode anyway lately. I just officiated the wedding of my dear friend and Artivist sister, Erin Bigelow, and her fabulous husband Yusif… so special on so many levels. Then I have 3 weddings coming up in the next month, and just booked another two for the summer, so my head and heart are swimming in wedding ceremonies!
One of the other big ways I’ve been reflecting on this Venus-infused energy is in my own marriage. Peter and I have been married for 41 years on May 9th. (Jeesh…every time I write or say that, it blows me away!) We’ve certainly had our ups and downs — I describe our relationship on my website as “dynamic and growth-producing” — but, without going into details, I have to say that this Covid time has probably been the most challenging.
So, when we went on vacation to Florida last month, it felt particularly sweet to have a palpable sense at the end of the week that we were coming back to our “pre-Covid” selves. Then a week later, we did an interview together on the Divine Feminine for his terrific radio show, Energy Stew, and it felt so powerful to be on the same wavelength, engaging our minds and hearts in synch with each other. Definitely a re-affirmation of what’s kept us together all these years!
I often describe long-term, committed relationships as the world’s most intense, ongoing personal growth and self-discovery workshop. That’s what’s inspired my “Deb’s Picks” this month, so I hope some of the tools and books I’m sharing below are helpful in your own life-long relationship journey!
MY FAVORITE BOOKS FOR SINGLES & COUPLES
I’m definitely a bibliophile (lover of books) and have collected LOTS of fabulous relationship books since I started relationship coaching in 2004. Here are just a few of them, and if you want the whole list, just email me!
Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman — this is the one I give all the couples I marry.. He’s known for the research he does in his “Love Lab”!
Getting the Love You Want by Harville Hendrix, the granddaddy of modern relationship coaching. He’s got great books for singles, too.
Conscious Dating by David Steele — he’s the founder of RCI (see below) where i did my coach training. It covers all the powerfui exercises I do in the 6-week program I lead with the same name.
Check them out and let me know what you think!
BRINGING PQ TO YOUR KEY RELATIIONSHIPS
I’m 3/4 of the way through my Positive Intelligence Coach Training and it continues to blow me away! I’m taking a “Pod” of 5 terrific women through the 7-week basic program right now and am reminded yet again of how powerful it is to find out who the “Saboteurs” are that derail your most important relationships AND how to come back to your “Sage Brain” more quickly when you get hijacked. You can learn more about this ground-breaking work HERE and take their Saboteur Assessment, then reach out if you want to join a future “PQ Pod” and go through the program “live” with me and another group of curious seekers!
POWERFUL TOOL FROM RCI (RELATIONSHIP COACHING INSTITUTE)
The Communications Map is a terrific communication and conflict resolution process for anyone wanting to communicate better with loved ones. It’s created by RCI where I did my coach training almost 20 years ago and there’s actually a great little e-book that goes along with it. You can click HERE to get the e-book and map itself, as well as an audio or video tutorial. And of course, you can also email me directly if you want a boost to your communication skills!
CANDLE MAGIC TO IGNITE YOUR LOVE LIFE
Yup, candle magic is definitely one of my all-time favorite ways to declare your intentions & set goals around just about anything! And it’s been a fun, creative way for my wedding couples to beef up a Unity Candle ritual in their ceremony. It’s also great for singles who want to do powerful ritual work to attract a fabulous partner. Click HERE and you can watch a video I re-discovered that I did 10 years ago — the hairstyle’s different, but the information is timeless!
I hope you’ll check out some of these tools and books to enhance your most special relationships during this Libra Full Moon time… and all year round. I’d love to hear about the ones that inspire you, too!