Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Better Relationships Need You To Show Up Happy
I was preparing my monthly contribution to the Relationship Space the other day. The theme this month over at The Calm Space is Happiness.
To be released on Thursday, are my Five Tips for Better Relationship Happiness.
To give you bit of a preview, my first tip is about you showing up as a Happy You in the relationship.
There’s obviously more to be found on this interesting topic, but when it’s released I’ll pop in here and put up the link. Or alternatively you can go and subscribe to updates and get your own notification when the articles go up each week. However, I digress!
Having not long finished this article I was most amused by the synchronicity of the arrival of a regular newsletter The Happiness Trap from www.actmindfully.com.au. Positive Psychology (including happiness psychology) is the most recent innovation in psychology.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a unique and creative model for both therapy and coaching, based on the innovative use of mindfulness and values.The aim of ACT is to maximise human potential for a rich, full and meaningful life.
ACT helps you to cultivate health vitality and well-being through mindfulness and values-guided action. Although ACT was created over 10 years before ‘positive psychology’ existed, it is increasingly seen as a part of that movement.
At last ACT have given in to pressures and is at last going to be running some ACT workshops, both for the public and for the corporate world. Go here for more details and a flyer.
These workshops are very timely as Russ Harris’ book The Happiness Trap is probably the best-selling self-help book in Australia at the moment. In September, Russ will be appearing as the “mindfulness coach” on a 3-part reality TV series, called ‘Making Australia Happy’ to be screened on ABC. I won’t be missing that!!!
In the meantime if you’d like some instant help in your search for happiness why not try Karen Wallace’s free ecourse A Month of Me Time: Simple Daily Actions to Nourish Your Soul. It’s easy to find on The Calm Space website. I found it wonderfully nurturing, but then that sums up Karen!
Of course, I’m assuming that you’ve already taken the Mojo Test, right there to the right of this article, and got your free copy of Your Relationship: From Mojo to Marvellous as well!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you’d rather, we can meet up on Facebook. All you need to do is become a Fan of Pink Apple on FaceBook.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chris Owen is Pink Apple and a bubbly Aussie Relationship Expert.
If you want a better relationship, but don’t know how to get it, then why not follow the beating heart in sidebar of this blog and takethe Relationship Mojo Test? You’ll receive Chris’ free E-Book Your Relationship: From Mojo to Marvellous to help you improve your relationship. Oh and there are other bonuses to be found on the other side of that beating heart!
There’s Wonder Over at Calm Space
This month’s theme in The Calm Space (that soothe-the-savage-beast online magazine by Karen Wallace) is wonder.
Sometimes Karen’s selected theme is so resonant that my contribution practically writes itself. But I wasn’t feeling very wonderous, wonderful or even wondering.
There were sad and unsettling things happening in my life, and those of some of my closest friends. Wonder didn’t sit well at all!
Totally barren in the ideas department, I struggled to find how wonder and better relationships might fit and how I could authentically write about it.
And then I read an article about fighting and I knew!
I knew heaps about fighting from bitter experience, and still now SweetP and I will have the odd fight that strikes like a whirlwind and leaves us wondering what happened to us.
So this month’s Relationship Space Wondering What You Could Do For A Better Relationship? is devoted to a reflection on fighting and changing how we do it.
I’m wondering if anyone will try the technique and let us all know how it goes!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you’d rather, we can meet up on Facebook. All you need to do is become a Fan of Pink Apple on FaceBook.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chris Owen is Pink Apple and a bubbly Aussie Relationship Expert.
If you want a better relationship, but don’t know how to get it, then why not follow the beating heart in sidebar of this blog and take the Relationship Mojo Test? You’ll receive Chris’ free E-Book Your Relationship: From Mojo to Marvellous to help you improve your relationship. Oh and there are other bonuses to be found on the other side of that beating heart!
Win a Ticket to Mums Night Out!
There is nothing like a night out with the girls and I am lucky enough to have one ticket to give away to the best night ever.
Mums Night Out is an annual event for mums that lets us get all prettied up for once. You will see the presentation of the Real Mum of The Year Award and enjoy food, drink, entertainment, dancing and as many laughs as you can handle … as well as mini-makeovers, mini-massages and just a really great, fun night out. All of it Kid Free!
Would you like to win a ticket?
Just leave me a comment here or on my Facebook page telling me about the funniest relationship no-no you have ever committed. Note, I said FUNNY!
I will announce the winner on Thursday morning.
By the way, tickets are still available if you would like to come along. Here are the details for you.
Friday 14th May 2010
Gardenhurst
82 Bulla Road
Essendon North
Tickets $69 - Book here.
When You’re Busy Relating Better, What Do You Call “It”?
Yes we’re talking about sex, today!
There are so many terms that are used as euphemisms for sexual intercourse that one finds it hard to keep up really!
And I’m talking about terms that can be used in polite conversation. That is, if you can describe conversations that include talk of sexual intercourse as polite! That, of course, is a matter of opinion.
I remember in my first interview for a job in Assisted Reproductive Techology (IVF et al), I was asked about my ability to talk about sex with people without me or them feeling uncomfortable. My reply? Something about having three teenaged sons teaching me quite enough about how to conduct matter-of-fact conversations about sex!
Going Going Gone by Agent of Darkness on Flickr
So yes I probably talk about sex more often than most people without even considering using some coy terms! But I do adapt my terminology to the situation and the discussion.
Love-making, sex, intercourse, and others I won’t inflict on you!
But lots of couples have a pet name for it. It’s a bit like lots of people have pet names for their genitalia or for their partner’s genitalia! (Now, THAT I struggle to understand!)
It was reading SunnyMummyAus’s blog Sunny Mummy that got me me musing on pet names! Her choice is Marvin (if you read this you’ll understand)!
Of course your favourite euphemism will often betray your generation and/or your cultural heritage! Clearly Sunny Mummy Aus is an 80s chick!
In the interests of social history, science (or a good laugh), Pink Apple would like to ask you all to assist our research as we try to establish a list of names for “it”!
Our personal favourite comes from a couple of babyboomer radio announcers here in Melbourne! Grubby and DeeDee on Gold104 (Rock and Pop Classics). They call it “oofty magoofty”!
I like it because it has a kind of subtlety that the more literal terms seem to totally misunderstand! In fact it’s quite hard to know how to spell it as I’m convinced that there is no such term in modern English.
However “oofty magoofty” MUST head up this list – for no other reason than that it’s MY list!!
Now PLEASE people, don’t take this as an opportunity to be offensive! I’ll be monitoring this post and deleting anything unacceptable. And be creative! We all know what f*** means! And by the way, I’ll take the post down if it becomes an issue!
Pink Apple’s List Of Sex Euphemisms!
- Oofty Magoofty
- Horizontal Rumba
- Playing Hide the Sausage
- The Love Dance
- Banging
- Making Whoopie
- Hokey Pokey
- Rumpy Pumpy
- Marvin
- (your suggestion)
Thanks all and let’s get laughing! After all Relationships don’t have to be serious all the time! Read the rest of this entry »
Why Better Relationships Might Be Found Under The Bedclothes
There are many reasons for conflicts to arise in relationships.
Triggers for conflict can be as diverse as money management, unequal libidos, parenting differences, and how you squeeze the toothpaste.
One lesser known, but highly inflammatory one is sleep-farting! (Yes pun intended!) Or to be more delicate, let’s call it flatulence.
A matter commonly only discussed in the bedrooms of couples the world over, this problem gets up lots of partner’s noses!
Oh alright, I’ll stop with the puns…
But I had to just share with you this wonderful new product …
Seeing it’s not April 1st I’m going to believe this, because I found it on the internet! Isn’t that a good enough reason?
For a good laugh, and perhaps even an opportunity to discuss this delicate issue with your partner, why not watch this wonderful advertisement?
By the way I’m so grateful to Sandi Gamble and The Huffington Post for alerting me to this fabulous product! (Well alright I’ve no idea if it’s fabulous, but it’s amused me enough to get me blogging again, so it must be fabulous!!) ENJOY! And please let me know if you actually own one of these!!!
Hug Your Relationship
There’s no one single clue to Better Relationships.
There’s no one simple action to miraculously change your relationship for the better.
But there are a million little things that, when combined, will make a big difference.
Today’s is a hug!
Here in Australia, hugs happen everywhere.
Some hug on arrival, some on departure, some even both.
Some hug at great news, some at great sorrow.
But there are some unwritten rules about social hugs. The main one is that you don’t hang on for even a second longer than is appropriate! It’s got to be a cursory hug.
So if that’s what you do in social settings, how do you hug your partner in life?
The same?
Why?????????????
Out of habit, that’s why!
But hey, would you “air-kiss” your partner? No! Of course not. So son’t social hug him/her either!
Tonight when you get home, try holding your hug for at least 3 seconds longer than normal.
Lean into that hug, feel where you’re touching him all along your arms. Feel where he’s touching you along your body. Be in the moment and soak it all uo.
Then let me know how good it was!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you’d rather get a short message from Pink Apple then become a Fan on FaceBook. I’m adding a Relationship Tip there every day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chris Owen is Pink Apple and a bubbly Aussie Relationship Expert. If you’re a Mum who wants a better relationship, but doesn’t know how to get it, then why not get started by taking the Relationship Mojo Test and get Chris’ free Audio Interview about Refinding Your Relationship Mojo.
How Compliments Build Relationship Energy – Let’s Create A Benefits List
It’s a simple thing to compliment someone.
But surprisingly many of us struggle with giving or receiving compliments or both.
If you want the person you love to know you love them, then compliments need to be part of your daily relationship toolkit!
Let’s assume you know how to give a compliment. (If you need some help send me an email, a FB message, or a DM on Twitter and I’ll send you a tipsheet.)
Let’s also assume you know how to receive one. (Yes that’s right, just say Thank you, is all!)
So what’s in for you to give compliments out (AT LEAST ONCE A DAY to your lover, kids, and friends and colleagues)?
Benefits of a Good Compliment Each Day.
- More smiles in your day, improving everyone’s wellbeing.
- The people around you feel respected and affirmed by you.
- People around you whose Love Language is Words of Affirmation get a laser-like message of your affection and love.
- Reignited romance in your love life, and who knows what benefits that might create!
- Heightened co-operation in your family and household. The kids might even help with some chores!
- With improved emotional wellbeing, comes improved physical well-being and reduced risks of physical illness and dependence on alcohol, cigarettes and overeating.
- Leaving a legacy to the world of well-rounded, assertive, and compassionate children, and others, influenced by you.
Now that’s just a few benefits off the top of my head. If you’ve got more suggestions, then send em to me and I’ll add em to the list. Surely between us all we could come up with at least 50 BENEFITS TO COMPLIMENTS or even more!!!!
The challenge is on! (Leave a Reply below and add a benefit!) Read the rest of this entry »
Phoenix Lunch #3 Coming Up!
Back in February in response to Black Saturday and the bushfires that attacked so many places and people in our state (Victoria Australia), Pink Apple and two friends decided to run a fundraiser. (Yes we DID say "how hard could it be?" and learned the REALLY hard way!)
Apart from the fundraising, the event was such a social and networking success that we've been pressured by our Melbourne businesswomen colleagues to repeat (and repeat) the process!
Another Phoenix Lunch
So the latest Phoenix Lunch is now on sale. Most of you who've expressed interest, are now on our database and received personal information about the Lunch. But just in case we've missed anybody, I thought I'd let you know how to register and book for the lunch.
If you'd just like to know about the Lunch so you can make a decision, then click through to The Phoenix Lunch website and have a read.
If you already know enough and you'd like to book, here is the direct link to the registration page, don't forget to complete your registration with your payment via PayPal which will allow you to pay by credit card, debit card and EFT.
Of course, fundraising is still our objective (as well as fun and networking) and this Lunch is supporting Post and Ante Natal Depression Association (PANDA). There's a poll on our website and everyone who's read it and taken the poll has had personal experience or knows someone close who's walked through this terrifying illness! That's how significant this is to women!
One More Thing …
There's a bonus for those who take out Super Early Bird priced tickets. There's a draw for several free seats at a workshop that we three are unning in February. Yes Pink Apple, Angela Esnouf from Creating Order from Chaos and Janet Powell the Parenting Coach from Mentor Maestro are presenting a new program called Keys to a Calmer HomeLife. But more details of that later …
Also We're Looking for Sponsors
If you're interested in pampering our attendees then why not become a sponsor. More information about our Jade, Ruby, and Pearl Sponsors here.
If you'd just like to find out the background story, then feel free to have aread here!
Couple Negotiation
Here are two different Bader-Pearson articles on Negotiation for Couples.
One is informative while the second is an exercise.
Download Super Negotiating for Couples
Download Steps for Effective Negotiation
Permission to use these was given by Bader and Pearson at a recent workshop I attended
