connections

Connect and Grow

I feel the need of relationships and friendship, of affection; of friendly intercourse…I cannot miss these things without feeling, as does any other intelligent man, a void and a deep need. --Vincent van Gogh More…

Increasing Emotional Connections in Your Relationship – Part 3

  Years ago, there was a very famous study done by Harlowe & Harlowe with rhesus monkeys. They created surrogate mothers by forming the shape of a monkey with wire. Some of the “mothers” were rigged up to give the baby monkeys food; the others had cloth on them but did not offer food. During times of anxiety, the baby monkeys sought contact comfort by going to the cloth “mothers” rather than those who offered food. This famous study has long been referenced to indicate the need for attachment and comfort in relationships. Relationships, clearly, are so important. Good relationships are not only satisfying but necessary both for our physical and psychological health. Monkey see, monkey do. More…

Increasing Emotional Connections in Your Relationship - Part 2

  In last week’s blog, I spoke about the tool of validation as being an important one to help your partner feel understood. I explained that it wasn’t necessary for you to actually experience the situation or circumstances as your mate did in order to validate how he or she felt. By being able to use this tool, it would allow your mate to feel as if he or she matters. Today, I want to go further and talk about how to actually increase empathy. First understand that empathy is different than sympathy. In the latter, you are merely feeling sorry for someone. But when you are empathic, it is as if you have stepped into the other person’s shoes and you are able to understand how they are feeling. A missing ingredient More…