Many people are much stronger emotionally than they think. If they firmly decide to rise above sadness and false guilt over past hurts, they have a real chance to rebuild their self-confidence.

The death of a beloved partner calls on all your human resources – e.g., accepting grief, connecting with its reality, and renewing social outreach.

Relationship crumbs are too messy to hang onto. Move on.

If close people suddenly exhibit strange behaviour, focus on the most vulnerable ones to help/support.

To find the “perfect” partner, know what you bring to a relationship, and be clear-eyed about what they need/offer.

Even with close friendships, we need generous acceptance of differences, and efforts to better understand them.

If friendship plans are broken for something or someone deemed “better,” reconsider the friendship.

Parents have a duty to tell children even uncomfortable truths, helping them face reality with strength and understanding.

Don’t give up on finding love. Dating apps can help, but for shy people it’s sometimes better to just bump into the person who takes your breath away.

True friendship is a two-way gift, not a one-way route to only satisfying your own self-interest.

Dating when inexperienced can cause unpleasant tensions. Keep hopes and dreams real, not fantasy.

For young love to mature despite separate locales, focus on honesty and trust.

When a partnership involves each other’s children, respecting/protecting/treating them as your own, is essential.

Hell hath no fury like the cold meanness of adult children who interfere with their parent’s love and generosity to someone important to their life. Worse, some insist on checking the parent’s will to their beloved spouse.

Forget the years of putdowns from a bully father. You’ve always been wiser than him. Still are.

We can only learn from others’ experiences if we get the information correctly.

Recognizing when an offer of help can remove tension, also strengthens your own self-confidence.

It’s rarely only one partner ‘s “fault” – not based on gender – for not saving the intimacy in their union.

Accepting others’ lifestyles honours the legal freedoms our society values, including whom we love.

Obituaries, sad for the families, shine a light beam on the adventures, achievements, and especially, the love a lifetime can bring to those who seek and honour it.

Learning’s a life process, for work and especially for close relationships.

A divorced parent’s new marriage can arouse extreme anger/fear of losing parental love and generosity.

Successful romantic relationships require ongoing intimacy and the joy of an exciting sexual connection.

Every relationship partnership faces division of shared costs, and joint vs. private savings.

Estranged siblings can reconnect, by surmounting divisive/risky family influences.

As a single young woman who unknowingly fell for a married man, be open and honest with someone who accepts who you are today.

When a relationship feels like it’s missing something, or you are, therapy can address insecurity on your part or a better understanding of love.

When a romantic partner equates “marriage” as a divorce trap/money grab, reassess the relationship.

We can be our own change-makers from angry reactors to past hurts to learning to heal our own wounds from the past.

Mothering an adult child who’s never achieved full independence or earned a living wage, takes a special skill of showing sincere interest, and encouragement that they can eventually manage without having to be told what to do.

Two strong-minded people living together must learn how to openly discuss when/whether to marry, or instead, move on.

Strengthen your own self-respect and awareness of your personal needs/goals for a lasting relationship.

If hosting a special event on a specifically-planned or limited budget, inform guests of any restrictions regarding numbers and/or potential food issues.

Divorce is harder on children when one parent’s openly blaming the other.

Denying sex within a marriage, without explanation, opens the door to at least one party walking out that door.

Relationship concerns are best aired by seeking common ground, not who’s right or wrong.

Adult sibling resentments/bullying are rarely a surprise to the family. Empathy, discussion, counselling, health assessment, all may be helpful, IF they’re tried.

Love, marriage and even sex are all perceived differently, based on people’s experiences and understanding.

Whenever there’s been love in your life, its painful loss shouldn’t surprise. They’re hallmarks of what a life has been.

When family members clash in a shared business, an equitable, legal solution is better than ending all family connections.

How a relationship partner spends their “free night out” with specific friends only, can be great fun, or isolating for the other.

Think of your future as desired goals that you can work towards, not instant decisions on what roles you’ll adopt.

If your relationship/marriage has proven loving and trusting, don’t let past bad experiences haunt you.

Finances/upbringing may differ, but a relationship thrives best between equals.

You’ll recognize who’s your potential partner among those you date, when you know which person you’d miss too much.

Teenagers rebelling against their parents’ divorce/new relationships, need supportive re-assurance of being still loved/connected to parents.

Stay with your important goals to end reliance on those who’ve been emotionally abusive and still trigger hurtful memories.

The second time around with your “first love” should hopefully be deeper, wiser, more certain, more mature, and far more lasting.

Your spousal relationship should be the most decisive factor regarding divorce… not who gets the proceeds of a house sale.

A parent’s death can shake stability and self-confidence. Grief counselling helps to regain perspective.