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Dr. Steve Feyrer-Melk, Ph.D. & Steve Hoffman, B.S. Lifestyle Resources, LLC

It can happen to even the best couples and once they realize it, it's too late. Or is it?

Couples make choices each day that can seriously impact the balance of the relationship. These decisions are often made independent of each other, increasing the chance for a negative consequence. To make things even more difficult, couples can easily get caught up in the fast paced, American lifestyle which is contagious and may seem impossible to avoid. Couples stay on the go and find themselves trying to "keep up with the Jones.'" Well watch out, because "keeping up with the Jones'" might lead to the steps of the local court house with divorce papers in hand.

So what is really happening in the lives of typical American couples? A lot of things. A lot of the wrong things that seem to keep everyone so busy these days. It would be nice to say that couples are getting caught up with life, but in reality they are getting caught up with everything that is not life. Couples find themselves moving through the continuous and often monotonous cycle of careers, promotions, house cleaning, T.V. watching, children's activities, and on and on and on. Of course, these "things" are needed, but when these "life experiences" become the focus of our being and overpower our relationship with our partner, the result can be devastating. Of course couples can put on happy faces and skip through the days with a facade of joy. But the nights often snap people back to reality as unfulfilled dreams and a lack of purpose lead to deep rooted unhappiness along with feelings of resentment and even anger.

But it is not too late to make a positive change? Couples can stop and listen to their hearts and ask themselves; What really matters in life? Is it the finest car, the highest paying career, the cleanest house, the most children's activities? I propose to you that it will not be the cars you drove, the salary you made, the time you spent at the office, or the house you lived in. But rather, it will be the many relationships that you had with wonderful people in your life, most importantly your children and your mate! Remember that person you committed to spend the rest of your life with? That person who made your legs weak with a wink and your cheeks hurt from smiling so much.

It's never too late to have a happy and fulfilling relationship. It's never too late to take notice and make a change. Everyone has busy lives, but busy with what? Unfortunately what happens is that people loose touch of what the real priorities should be, what really brings true happiness and fulfillment. What is needed is a balance as couples strive for excellence in all facets of life from career to love to family to friendship. It is possible.

So what does it really mean to be alive, to be truly happy and deeply fulfilled? Stop, take a deep breath, and take inventory on what really matters in life. I bet it's not the Jones'!

Join http://www.WeMakeTime.com and find the tools that get the balance back into your life.

 2006 Copyright, Lifestyle Resources, LLC. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Dr. Feyrer-Melk (Fire-Melk) is the co-founder of Lifestyle Resources, LLC., a company dedicated to helping relationships thrive by providing the tools necessary to meet the needs of today's busy families. Most notably, the company has developed the We Make Time(TM) website to help couples schedule relationship strengthening events. After spending many years in the health and wellness academic world, including helping develop a com