The World's Best Book Summaries
Do you and your partner have frequent disagreements? How do you practice conflict resolution in relationships? Couples disagree on things all the time, but some relationships fall apart because of disagreements. To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, you need to practice conflict resolution with your partner. Let’s look at the healthiest way to resolve conflict in a relationship.
What’s the key to building trust in a relationship? What breaks trust in a relationship? Eight Dates claims that one of the most important topics you can discuss with your partner on a date is trust. Whether trust has been broken before or you want to simply strengthen it, talking to your partner about what trust means to them is a good first step. Continue reading to learn how to talk about trust on a date.
Why are supportive relationships important? How can you build a strong support network you can rely on in times of need? We all need support, care, and companionship to remain mentally healthy. This need stems from our evolutionary roots: Belonging to a group was essential for survival when humans were primarily hunter-gatherers, so the desire for companionship is genetically wired into our brains. Keep reading to learn about the importance of supportive relationships and how to develop a strong support network.
Are you unhappy and have no idea why? Are you and your partner drifting apart? Can anything be done to rescue a relationship in a downward slide? We all have a deep-rooted need to be loved, but often a rift opens between our romantic partners and ourselves. Over time, we may even resent the traits in our loved ones that initially brought us together. The book Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples explores these ideas and offers solutions. Keep reading for two Getting the Love You Want exercises that will help you apply the book’s principles.
What is the importance of good friends? What aspects of life depend on friendship? Friendships allow us to be with like-minded people who help us grow. Outside of sharing interests, friendships can benefit other areas of our lives, such as our romantic relationships and self-esteem. Let’s break down the importance of good friends by looking at four reasons why they matter in your personal life.
Why do we long for love or seek out a soulmate? Is longing for love healthy? In her book Bittersweet, Susan Cain explores the complexities of our desire for love and connection. While some argue that longing for an ideal love is natural and sacred, others warn that seeking a perfect partner can prevent us from finding true happiness. Read on to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of longing for love, according to Cain.
Does your marriage leave you with unmet expectations? What sacrifices should marriage require? David Brooks compares two approaches to life and, thus, marriage. The first approach is characteristic of individualism, which prioritizes personal liberty and spurns commitment. The second approach is characteristic of relationalism, which celebrates community and prizes commitment. Continue reading to learn about two views of marriage based on these two approaches to life.
What’s the purpose of sadness? Why is sadness such an important emotion? Can sadness be beneficial? Sadness is often seen as a negative emotion—something to be avoided or suppressed—but according to best-selling author Susan Cain, it serves a powerful purpose in our lives. In her book Bittersweet, Cain argues that sadness is a prosocial emotion that inspires compassion and empathy for others. Read on to learn what the purpose of sadness is and why it’s so important, according to Cain.
What are empathetic connections? What purpose do they serve? How do we form these connections? According to Susan Cain, empathetic connections are the roots of our humanity, allowing us to feel the pain of others or extend compassion to anyone who needs it. From our evolutionary past to our modern day, empathy has played a critical role in strengthening our social ties. Read on to learn about empathetic connections, including how and why we form these bonds.
Want to learn how to be more compassionate? What strategies should you practice? According to Susan Cain’s book Bittersweet, learning about the power of sadness is a great way to strengthen your sense of compassion. If you want to learn how to be more compassionate, she suggests practical strategies like cultivating humility or increasing self-compassion. Read on to learn how to be more compassionate, according to Cain’s three strategies.