Many us want to be better- better parents, wives, husbands, girlfriends, boyfriends, friends and children. As busy as we all are,  sometimes it’s difficult to slow down and find the time to ask, “What can I do to be a better person?”  If you are wondering what you can do to be better, here are a few great ways to start:

1. Share your gifts and talents  Share your special, unique talents with the world. Teach someone the skill you have perfected, start a podcast or blog and share your ideas. Get active in your community through organizations or your own initiatives. There is someone waiting to learn from you- to be inspired by you.

2. Communicate  In your love relationships, express yourself more and more effectively.  Tell your loved ones how you feel, without being argumentative, without being sarcastic.  When you are happy let them know.  When you are disappointed, talk about it.

3. Never stop learning  Keep challenging yourself.  It’s never too late to learn a foreign language, start a new hobby or get involved with a sport you’ve never tried before.

4. Keep moving forward Don’t let yourself get caught up in the past.  Stop wishing for the one who got away- stop constantly reminding yourself that you shouldn’t have spent so much time in a failed relationship or business venture.  We learn from every experience.  Remain focused on the present. Prepare for your prosperous future.

5. Support & Encourage our Children  Make the extra effort to let your kids know that you love them and believe in them.  The old adage “It takes a village to raise a child” has never been more true.  So,  even if you don’t have kids, find a friend’s child or a neighborhood child to tutor or encourage. Volunteer at a local school. Teach kids the lessons you have learned.

6. Share your Story Let others learn from your experiences.  Sharing the most difficult challenges of your life can help someone else avoid the same difficulties or provide them with guidance on how to get through it.

7. Know who you are Be very aware of who you are, what you will accept and what you absolutely will not tolerate.  What is your  purpose? Discover it and fulfill it.

9. Find joy In the middle of a hectic day, pause and  find the beauty in things that at first glance may seem small or insignificant.

10. Do the Right Thing  There is always a time when we choose between what is right and what is convenient.  Next time, make the right choice.

11. Remember our Seniors At the end of their lives, our seniors deserve to know that they are loved and appreciated.  We must show them they have not been forgotten. Show the elders in your family how much they are treasured.  Visit a nursing home and participate in a fun activity with the men and women there.

12. Love more Each day find different ways to show love to your family, friends and the world.

13. Live Your Life !  No, I mean really LIVE it !  Don’t wait until you find that great job or have extra money in the bank to start enjoying yourself.  Embrace the beauty of each day.

On this day, commit to be a better person.

How will you be a better person?

It’s often easy to tell newlyweds from a couple who has been married for years. If you’ve been feeling the spark dwindling, you may be wondering how to keep your marriage strong. Follow these tips, and you can return to those early newlywed days.

1. Make time for intimacy.
Time alone in the bedroom is crucial for a healthy marriage. Taking the time to recall those days when you couldn’t keep your hands off of each other will keep your marriage stronger than ever.

2. Schedule date nights.
Once a week or once a month, have a nice night out with your spouse. Hire a babysitter or drop the kids off with relatives and enjoy a grown-up dinner and movie. If money is a concern, cuddle on the couch after the kids have gone to bed.

3. Find small ways to demonstrate your love.
Whether you leave a small note in a brown bag lunch, set up the coffee pot before bed or draw a heart in the steam on the bathroom mirror, tiny gestures can mean so much.

4. Practice good communication.
Accusations, yelling and sarcasm take a bitter toll on a marriage. If you are upset about something, discuss it. Don’t lay blame and don’t use harsh language.

5. Take a little time apart.
Although it may seem contradictory, a little time to yourself will strengthen your bond. Have an evening out with your own friends or even treat yourself to a weekend alone at a bed and breakfast.

6. Acknowledge and appreciate your spouse’s contributions.
Each spouse has a role to play in the marriage, and it’s common for both of you to feel underappreciated at times. Show gratitude when the trash is taken out on time or the dishwasher is unloaded or a hard day at work has been completed.

7. Be respectful.
Think about your words before they leave your mouth and never belittle your spouse in front of the kids, friends or relatives.

8. Stay friends.
You love each other, but do you still like each other? Reconnect over common interests and remember to have fun.

9. Keep discussions in the present.
Whatever the current issue is, make your discussion about that. Don’t resort to dredging up past mistakes and arguments. When that happens, nobody wins.

10. Ask for what you need.
Don’t expect your spouse to automatically know how you are feeling. If you are feeling alone or sad or just need help, be willing to ask.

“The love of a family is life’s greatest blessing.” ~Author Unknown

Here are a few tips to show your family just how much you love them.

1) Be There
Just being there when someone needs you is one of the best ways to show you care. Whether your sister isn’t feeling well or your spouse needs a shoulder to cry on, they’ll appreciate knowing they can count on you.

2) Make Time
Work and chores will always be there, but your kids won’t. Make time to play with them, take them on day trips and attend school functions. They’ll remember that you did.

3) Do Things “Just Because”
Don’t wait for a birthday or other special occasion to do something nice. Send a card or get a gift “just because” you’re thinking about someone.

4) Get Involved
Volunteer at your niece’s bake sale, help your brother’s band set up a show or give your kids a hand with their science projects. Helping out is a great way to show you love them.

5) Send a Smile
It’s so easy to send pictures and videos over the Internet that there’s no excuse not to. Go ahead and send a family member a smile to brighten their day.

6) Be Spontaneous
Spontaneity can help keep romance in your marriage. Surprise your spouse with a meal at a favorite restaurant or a trip just for the two of you and enjoy some quality time together.

7) Write a Letter
The next time you’re thinking of sending an e-mail to a distant relative, try writing them instead. There’s something special about receiving a good, old-fashioned letter.

8) Get Cooking
People have been showing love through food for centuries. Whip up your family’s favorite meal and serve it on your best plates to celebrate a special occasion or for no reason at all.

9) Be Silly
Don’t be afraid to get a little silly with your kids or young cousins. You’ll be able to relax and have fun, and they’ll like having someone who’s willing to goof off with them.

10) Say “I Love You”
Sometimes the easiest way to show you love your family is to say it. Tell your parents, spouse, kids, aunts, uncles and cousins that you love them. Even if you think they already know, it’s always nice to hear.

For the love of a woman, men have given up crowns, waited for centuries or have been exiled from their homeland. Today there are still ways you can show your love and support.

It’s in the Little Things
Grandiose gestures are great, but taking care of boring or time-consuming chores might just elevate you to hero status.

The Big C
In relationships, the big “C” is conversation. Many will advise you to listen and pay attention, but you cannot do this unless you first start the conversation.

Prove You Listen and Pay Attention
With the insights you gain through your day-to-day conversations, you gain knowledge of what she likes or does not like. This will be your guide to determine what matters to her and what things you can do to love and support her.

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You don’t need to spend loads of cash to have a great time. The old adage ‘the best things in life are free’ really is true! These ten date ideas are unique, fun and even romantic–all for next to nothing!

10 Great Date Night Ideas

1. Impromptu road trip. All you do is tell her to be ready at a certain time, get into the car and drive somewhere scenic, enjoying the open road and some good tunes and talk together.

2. Explore a new neighborhood. There’s no better way to spend time with someone you care about then to hold hands and wander around a new neighborhood discovering new things together. It’s also a great way to get ideas for future dates!

3. Play Twister or any other classic or ‘retro’ game. Grab Twister, Scrabble and enjoy!

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Finding exciting ways to celebrate your important should be high on your priority scale whether you’re celebrating your first or your fifteenth anniversary. It’s not uncommon for couples to opt of out exchanging gifts or making a huge  deal out of anniversaries after a few years together, but the truth is that celebrating these milestones is important for the relationship and can help keep a couple feeling close and bonded.

Celebrating your anniversary doesn’t require you spend a ton of money, because it really is the thought that counts in the end. So, to help you celebrate your anniversary with some fun and excitement but without breaking the bank, here are 3 simple ideas that should do the trick.

Take Him/Her Back in Time

Whether your first date or first kiss was enjoyed at a restaurant or walking down the street, going back to that place and recreating the date is always a romantic way to celebrate an anniversary. Visiting a place that had special meaning to you as a couple encourages reminiscing which in turn stirs up some of that good ol’ lovin’ feeling from when things were new and especially exciting. Go back to that place, spend some time enjoying each other’s company and bask in all of the things that you’ve shared since then.

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Most people know someone who is going through a difficult time financially and emotionally due to the economy. They may be laid off, unemployed, or struggling in their business. One of the best ways to show love for them is to listen without judgment. Other ways to show your compassion include taking them dinner or paying one of their bills anonymously.

Listen

When most people see their loved ones struggling, their first instinct is to offer solutions. Offering solutions can be a way of showing love, but first it is important to listen to the person who is struggling without interrupting them or judging them. Your loved ones may feel that you are offering solutions because you think they are too stupid or weak to figure it out on their own. They may also feel that you are judging them and looking down upon them because of their situation. Francoise Sagan said, “Love is not just caring deeply, it’s, above all, understanding.” He stressed the importance of understanding the people we love and offering them a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on.

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It is spring, and that means the flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, and it is time to remember the ones we love the most – especially that special woman who will love you unconditionally, your mother. You’ve sent a card and made the phone call but don’t think that your work for the day is done. It is time to show some love to the wonderful woman who has chosen to be a part of your life forever – your wife.

Is there a better way to show love to your girlfriend than by picking a unique and romantic method of proposing? Giving your future wife something to reminisce about for the rest of her life is one of the best gifts you will ever give her. Make this moment something magical and memorable.

When planning your proposal, keep your girlfriend’s interests in mind. A proposal on the scoreboard at the stadium of your favorite baseball team is impressive, but only if your girlfriend is as big a fan as you are! What activities does your girlfriend love? Are you able to get her friends in on the proposal? If she’s a more private person, she might not want you to enlist help, but if she’s outgoing, she might appreciate a huge surprise proposal, although you should only propose in public if you are sure she’ll say yes!

With these thoughts in mind, consider the following proposal ideas:

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 Divorce is hard on kids. They can feel a lot of guilt and confusion and may even be afraid that their parents don’t love them anymore. Many parents try to show love by showering the child with gifts, but this can set the stage for future problems and resentment. Instead, try these 10 ways to show your kids how much you love them.

1. Attend their special events.

Whenever possible, go to your child’s events. Soccer games, musical performances and other activities are a big deal for kids. Be there to support and cheer your child on.

2. Go to parent-teacher conferences.

Even though your child isn’t there, you will show love by demonstrating that you are still a part of your child’s life and that everything they do is important to you.

3. Plan fun activities with your kids.

Schedule fun time on the calendar. Go to a park and kick a ball around, climb on playground equipment, go swimming or explore other fun activities your child wants to do.

4. Say “I love you.”

You can never say “I love you” too many times. Take every opportunity to simply say those three words to your child.

5. Play games with your children.

If your child is into video games, play two-player games together. This is especially helpful for parents who don’t get to see their children regularly. Online game play allows you to work together as a team while you visit.  And don’t forget board games.  Even the classic Monopoly and Scrabble can bring you closer together.

6. Keep routines in place and enforce rules.

Change is hard on kids. As much as possible, keep the routines stable, and keep rules the same.

7. Answer questions honestly but positively.

Your kids will have a lot of questions for you. Answer them honestly, but don’t attack the other parent, and keep information age appropriate.

8. Listen when your child talks and ask questions.

Encourage your children to tell you about their lives. Listen and ask questions about activities, school and friends.

9. Plan to spend one-on-one time.

If you have more than one child, make sure to spend quality one-on-one time with each one now and then. They will cherish these special moments for a long time.

10. Allow your child to remain a child.

So many children of divorce feel like they have to take on a more adult role when one parent moves out. Keep extra chores to a minimum, and allow plenty of time to do fun activities with their friends. Letting your children be children is probably the best way to show love.

There is no greater gift than that of a child. Pregnancy, while one of life’s blessings, can be challenging, both physically and emotionally. Making an effort to show love to your wife during the pregnancy can help her cope with and even enjoy impending motherhood that much more. Here are some tips for how to show love to your wife when she is pregnant:

1.Provide reassurance. Remind her often of the reward that lies at the end of the journey. Let her know how much you are looking forward to holding your child.
2. Give her physical relief. Of course, pregnancy is hard on the body. Offer to rub her feet or give her a gentle back massage. Particularly during the second half of the pregnancy, this will be a welcome surprise for her.
3. Tell her that you love her. Even though she likely knows how deep your feelings are for her, hearing the words is an outward expression of your inner feelings, which she will appreciate. This is one of easiest suggestions of how to show love, but is one that can have the most power.
4. Attack the honey-do list. While she is pregnant, there are certain labor-intensive tasks she may not be able to handle. Take care of the tasks she’s been after you to finish, or take care of some of the pre-baby tasks she may not be up to, like painting the nursery or assembling the crib.
5. Be attentive. Many women feel their husbands don’t pay them enough attention during their pregnancies. Take time to let her know you care – bring flowers home to her or make her favorite dinner.
6. Pamper her. Offer to paint her toes when she can no longer reach them or offer to wash her hair if she is too uncomfortable to do it herself. You may even try treating her to a professional prenatal massage.
7. Be sensitive. Your wife may not be the most confident in her physical appearance during her pregnancy. Avoid joking jabs about her weight gain or baby bump. Let her know she is beautiful in your eyes.
8. Accompany her to the doctor. As much as possible, go with her to the obstetrician. This will let her know you support and care for her and share her excitement about the baby.

Make sure your wife knows how much you love her, particular during her pregnancy. Offer your support and always show love. Soon, your child will have arrived and you will have a new addition to the family to show your love to.

The phrase “happy wife, happy life” is a common one that seems to hold true. In order to keep our marriages strong and successful, both husband and wife need to love each other and be able to display that love.

  Here are a few ways husbands can show love to their wives:

1.   Listen to her.  Ask her how her day was, and listen to the answer. If she has a problem, don’t try to solve it – just hear her out.

2.  Surprise her with a bouquet of flowers out of the blue. If she doesn’t like flowers, try chocolates.

3.  Support her goals.  If she is pursuing something – a business, a degree, a promotion – be her biggest fan and encourage her frequently.

4.   Compliment her.  Remind her that you think she is beautiful, and be specific about what it is about her that you find attractive.

5.  Accentuate your commonalities.  Find those things that you both like to do and do them together often.

6.  Send her an “I love you” text message during the day so she knows you are thinking of her.

7. After a long day, draw a bubble bath for her and top it off with a back massage.  Asking nothing in return, help her to unwind and decompress.

8.  Tell her why you love her.  Look into her eyes and verbalize how much you appreciate and cherish her. Be specific.

9.  Take a day off together.  Plan with your wife to take a day off of work/school/other obligations and just be together, wherever that may take you.

10. Think for a moment – if you had only an hour left with your wife, what you would want to say and do to show love.  Do that. Every day, you should make an effort to love her that way.

Showing your wife that you love her is critical to a successful marriage. Love is kind, but you have to display it to your partner in order for them to feel it. Love endures, but like anything else worth having, it takes hard work to sustain it. Men, let’s get to work!

When a man hears “it’s a boy” for the first time, the moment is full of both joy and anxiety. Fathers want their sons to grow up to be strong and self-sufficient, and the responsibility lies with them to model the traits they hope their sons will develop. But in a society that discourages displays of emotion amongst males, fathers sometimes find it difficult to show love to their sons.

Ten Ways Dads Can Show Love To Their Sons

The following is a list of ways men can show love to their sons and build a special bond that will last a lifetime.

1. Show sensitivity: Help your son learn that it is okay to have feelings by expressing them yourself.

2. Unplug: Tear your son away from the T.V, video game console, and cell phone for a couple of days. Spend time camping, fishing, and enjoying each others company.

3. Plug in: Since we can’t enjoy the great outdoors all of the time, let your son teach you how to play his favorite video game. The competition will be fun, but also provides a simple way to bond.

4. Get involved: Show your interest in your son’s life by becoming an assistant coach for his sports team or a volunteer chaperone for a scouting event.

5. Work together: Ask your son to help you work on a building project or have him help you change the oil in the family car. These activities allow you to spend time together while your son learns valuable skills.

6. Schedule check-in time: Everyday, either before bed or at dinner, make sure you ask your son how he is doing. Sometimes he will want to talk, sometimes he won’t, but the important thing is that you ask.

7. Temper your temper: There will be times when your son makes decisions that are, to an adult mind, ridiculous. Guide him through tough times without anger, but help him learn discipline.

8. Share history: Tell your son stories about the relationship you had with your father. Take him on a trip to your childhood home.

9. Fight fighting: Help your son work through conflicts by offering non-violent strategies for resolution.

10. Be proud: Acknowledge your son for acing a test with as much enthusiasm as you would if he scored a touchdown.

There is no cookie-cutter method of child rearing that works for every father and son, but the above ideas can help to lay the foundation for a strong and enduring relationship.

Fatherhood is a blessing, but many dads face challenges when their bouncing baby girls become young ladies, and their interests and personalities change. The following is a list of ways dads can show love and stay connected to their daughters.

Find a common bond: Even if your daughter doesn’t want to watch the ball game with you anymore, challenge yourself to find an activity you both enjoy and set aside an hour or two per week for your special bonding activity.

Listen to her problems: The tween and adolescent years are tough to muddle through. Each day brings new drama. If you want your daughter to feel comfortable talking to you, be a great listener. Do not belittle her problems, no matter how trifling they seem.

Contract a case of Bieber Fever: You don’t have to become his number one fan, but if your daughter loves Justin Bieber, or any pop icon for that matter, try to find something to like about their music. Whatever you do, don’t mock her tastes.

Ask questions: Take interest in what’s important to your daughter. Ask about her friends and her school. Even if she seems reluctant to answer, your asking shows that you care.

Participate in father-daughter events: You may get a few eye-rolls, but jump on any occasion when your daughter’s school or sports team asks you to get involved. Even if she acts embarrassed, she will appreciate that you want to spend time with her.

Let her be independent: You can guide your daughter to make wise decisions, but don’t make them for her. Let her try to work issues out on her own before your jump to her rescue. But when she needs you, always be there.

Ask for her help: Solicit your daughter’s advice on household decisions. This will show her that you value her input and respect her as a rational person.

Simple gifts: You don’t have to try to win your daughter’s affection by buying her hot new gadgets or designer clothes. Cook her favorite meal or pick up the latest book by her favorite author.

Be affectionate: Even if your daughter resists your hugs, make an attempt to be affectionate everyday. Tell her you love her. Sometimes girls need this confirmation.

If you make a constant effort to show love to your daughter, you will have a smoother journey through adolescence and build a life-long bond.