There is a song from the Broadway musical South Pacific that I cannot get out of my head. The lyrics resound over and over in my mind. "You have to be carefully taught to hate, you have to be carefully taught," the song goes. Rogers and Hammerstein knew what... (continued)

"Some people should not be allowed to date," my friend , Libby, says to me, tears running down her face. Libby, the latest victim of a relationship gone sour, feels deceived and betrayed. She thought she had a good thing going and then her boyfriend turned o... (continued)

I consider myself fortunate. I married a man who likes to laugh. I suppose I could have sought out a more serious, highly intense fellow. I probably would be richer, but I don't think I would be having as much fun. I don't know about "soul mates". I'm not... (continued)

Last summer, I attended a beautiful wedding held in a meadow, with the wildflowers blowing in the wind, birds singing, and majestic mountains as dramatic backdrop. But there is a downside to this lovely event. The bride and groom are delightful people, ob... (continued)

Unfortunately, recent history has told us that approximately half of marriages today are successful. Half is really a discouraging number when you consider all that is at stake, all the misery to the family members that a marital breakup can cause. Why is th... (continued)

Laughter is very important in marriage. A couple that laughs together has a better chance of staying together. Being playful is healthy. Sarcastic play, however, is usually not good and may cause deep resentment. Good will is paramount in playful behavior. DK

Treat your partner with courtesy, the way you would like to be treated. Even in moments of discord, try to be as respectful as you can. Speaking kindly is very important. We all tend to forget to treat others with respect, especially our marriage partners. DK