Right Relationships

Relationships matter! They are at the heart of all good and bad human experiences. First, our relationship with God needs to be in order. For then it is possible to apply godly principles to the establishment of right relationships with others and the restoration of relationships that have gone wrong. This life-giving book will show you how this can become real for you. It not only addresses the nature of relationships and the factors which make them work but also provides dynamic and well tried solutions for those that have gone wrong. The scriptural truths in this book are eternal keys to us fulfilling our human destiny. Right Relationships has been universally acclaimed as one of the best treatments of this subject and has become a standard textbook on relationships worldwide.

God has given us a specific, compelling reason for each of the four seasons of relationships: singleness, dating, engagement, and marriage. This book unlocks each season’s God-given purpose and shows you how to thrive within it. In a society where everyone is supposedly more connected, why do people feel so lonely? Even as marriage rates decline, recent studies find the overwhelming majority of single adults still hope to get married. But how can we navigate life and love in this disconnected culture? Has social media eroded the institutions that brought us together—and the deeper emotional intimacy they provided? Pastor and bestselling author Ben Stuart will help you navigate through the four stages of a relational life and show you how to look at the truths and intentions God has established for each. As you embark on this journey, you will discover how to: Use singleness to make an impact for the kingdom of God Pursue dating with clarity and purity Use the season of engagement wisely to prepare for marriage Maximize your life as a married couple for shared ministry Continually seek God and His will throughout each stage Discover how to embrace God's design, invest your life in what matters most, and find meaning in whatever season of life you're in.

Relationships are complicated. Yet it's an unfortunate reality that while most of us have to learn complex geometry that we'll probably never use, we don't get a single formal lesson in how to relate to others. In this one-stop guide, psychologist Melanie Joy reveals the common psychological dynamics that underlie all kinds of relationships—with a romantic partner, friends, family members, colleagues—in short, with anyone in any situation. Understanding these dynamics will help you make all your relationships healthier and more resilient. Relationships are like bodies: they get sick when their immune system is weaker than the germs that stress them. Drawing on the most relevant research as well as on her own extensive experience as a psychologist, Joy explains how to strengthen your relational immune system to resist not only interpersonal stressors but also largely invisible yet potentially devastating societal stressors like racism and sexism. With this understanding, you can cultivate relationships that consistently reflect core moral values and honor the dignity of everyone involved. Resilient relationships are not only a source of joy and fulfillment for those who are in them, they also support the thriving of the organizations and communities of which we all are a part.

In recent years scientists have discovered that mindfulness can reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance our sense of well-being. In this book, readers learn how mindfulness can be brought to bear in our relationships to increase intimacy, strengthen communication, and help us to find greater fulfilment. Topics in this collection include how to open your heart and develop lovingkindness for yourself and others, how to improve communication through mindful speech and deep listening, noticing and counteracting destructive patterns, and discovering how intimate relationships can become a rich form of spiritual practice. Chapters and contributors include: • Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh on what mindfulness is and why it lies at the heart real love • Psychotherapist David Richo on finding a partner • Psychotherapist and meditation teacher Tara Brach on the power of forgiveness • Rabbi Harold Kushner on striving to give love rather than get it • Novelist Jane Hamilton on a marital meltdown—and recovery • Meditation teacher Susan Piver on the value of heartbreak • Psychologist John Welwood on relationships as a path of personal and spiritual growth

Are you tired? Do you suffer from chronic pain--headaches, backaches, or other persistent discomfort? Do you experience depression or feel anxious? Do you have allergies or autoimmune issues? Have you lost your sex drive somewhere along the way? If you have one or more of these symptoms, you may be suffering from what Rachel Carlton Abrams, MD, calls Chronic Body Depletion--a condition that can be related to weight gain, high blood pressure, exhaustion, and many other symptoms that leave the body drained. In BodyWise, Dr. Rachel helps us to understand that these symptoms, uncomfortable as they may be, are actually a sign of our body’s intelligence. Our bodies are trying to communicate--sometimes screaming at us to pay attention--and only when we learn to listen are we able to treat what ails us to achieve optimum healing and lifelong health. Dr. Rachel shares her customizable 28-day program, used with thousands of patients in her clinic, for healing the body both physically and emotionally. Through quizzes and detailed self-assessments, she explains how you can evaluate your own body wisdom for different areas in your life--including stress, sleep, libido, pain, anxiety, depression, allergies, and autoimmune issues. Guiding you through thoughtful diet, routine, and lifestyle changes, BodyWise will help you discover your own unique needs and offer you the principles and practices to create the vibrant, balanced, healthy life you have always deserved.

This beloved book has touched hundreds of thousands of lives with its profound and actionable advice. Retaining the core message of becoming more mindful in our relationships, this edition includes new and revised material that addresses how we live and love today. A new preface touches on David Richo’s experience with the book over time and outlines the key updates, including attention to online dating and modern communication styles as well as new perspectives on anger and ending relationships. “Most people think of love as a feeling,” says Richo, “but love is not so much a feeling as a way of being present.” How to Be an Adult in Relationships explores five hallmarks of mindful loving and how they play a key role in our relationships. Adult love is based on a mutual commitment to what Richo calls the “five A’s”: attention, acceptance, appreciation, affection, and allowing. Brimming with practical exercises for couples and singles, How to Be an Adult in Relationships offers heartening insights into a lifelong journey of love. Topics include: • Becoming conscious of our relationship patterns and how they relate to childhood • Recognizing and attracting someone who can show adult love • Understanding the phases relationships go through • Creating and maintaining healthy boundaries • Overcoming fears of abandonment and engulfment • Expressing anger and other emotions in adult and loving ways • Surviving break-ups with our self-esteem intact • Understanding love as a spiritual journey

Your Perfect Right—the leading assertiveness guide with over 1.3 million copies sold—is now fully updated and revised. This indispensable guide to equal-relationship assertiveness is packed with step-by-step exercises, tips, and skills to help you express yourself effectively. Are you comfortable starting a conversation with strangers at a party? Do you sometimes feel ineffective in making your needs clear? Do you have difficulty saying no to persuasive people? Everyone needs a little help getting along with others. Assertiveness is a key social skill, as well as a tool for making your relationships more equal. Learning to respond more effectively to others can help you reduce stress and increase your sense of self-worth. In this fully updated and revised tenth edition, you’ll learn practical advice on dealing with difficult people, handling criticism, and expressing your feelings. You’ll also discover how to use humor in conflict resolution, ways to clarify others’ intentions, and how to distinguish between encouraging and discouraging communication habits. This edition also includes a new introduction by coauthor Robert Alberti, in addition to research and information on the subjects of anger and interpersonal communication. Assertiveness is an alternative to personal powerlessness or manipulation. The program in this book will help you develop effective ways to express yourself, maintain your self-respect, and show respect for others. This is not a “me-first” book—it's all about equal-relationship assertiveness!