Summer vacations are too often talked about as fleeting episodes of bliss, short-term fairy tales set against tropical beaches and mystic sunsets. Yet the idea that our vacation lifestyle is the product of fantasy and that, in the end, we must return to our “real lives” can actually be entirely backward. In fact, it is often when we are on vacation and “letting go” that we are our truest selves, existing outside the roles and regulations we adhere to in our daily lives. Naturally, the freedom we feel from responsibility plays a big role in our ability to relax and take time to do what we most enjoy. This freedom further awards us openness to new experiences, new... read more ...

Anyone who has indulged in romantic comedies like When Harry Met Sally, As Good as it Gets, Moonstruck or pretty much anything starring Sandra Bullock knows the theme of opposites attracting and enemies becoming lovers. This theme has been around since the beginning of time; We see it in Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew and Jane Austen’s Emma. Yet as much as many a film, novel or play would like us to believe it, we aren’t all that likely to fall in love with someone we initially cannot stand. But a new article begs the question, can we learn to fall in love with someone with whom we don’t initially feel that special “spark.” Sure, attraction is necessary... read more ...

When couples first get together the original “spark” they feel can become the mysterious element that alludes them later in their relationship. While many couples call it quits when they stop feeling that early flame, some stick it out accepting that relationships change, and the initial excitement cannot last in any relationship. Accepting defeat is the downfall of any relationship. The more people challenge themselves and work through their own defenses, the closer they can get to their partners, the more love they feel and the more the spark in the relationship remains alive and well. Some key tips on how to keep relationships feeling fresh and exciting: 1. Respect your partner’s... read more ...