• Life Advice,  Relationship Advice

    Turn Down the Noise for a Happy New Year

    This is an article from last year, with a few revisions. I think it’s worth re-sharing. The United Nations declared 2021 as the International Year of Peace and Trust. How do you think we did? I think we can do better. It’s up to us, really. I’d like to suggest that in order to do that, we turn down the noise and have a truly happy new year. I have learned that the things to which we give our attention set our direction. And our direction determines our destination. I Learned This Lesson Early My husband, Bobby Martin, is a professional drag racer. He drives the race car, and one…

  • Relationship Advice,  Relationship Trust & Loyalty,  Relationships Take Work

    How To Show Respect to Your Partner

    My husband is a champion drag racer. He’s driven fast cars. Dangerous cars. And I’ve worried. This career we’ve traversed together has stretched our marriage in difficult ways. And in profoundly satisfying ways. Every day felt like a new test as we climbed the ladder with new expectations and no time to get comfortable before the next one arose. One of my biggest challenges, maybe you can relate, has been how to show my husband respect. It’s not that I’ve been outright disrespectful. But, love without expectations seems to be easier to understand and accomplish. But it’s taxing to trust and respect each other, especially on roads you’ve never traveled…

  • Relationship Advice

    How to Save Your Relationship When It’s Falling Apart

    Not getting what you need from a relationship is a real struggle. And over time, this is one of the main reasons why relationships fail.  Why a relationship fails can be anything. Maybe he had an affair. Maybe you did. Maybe money is tight and you worry all the time.  He is just not holding up his end of the bargain. It was supposed to be different. You don’t talk anymore or you fight too much.  Perhaps you are feeling alone in your relationship in every way. Perhaps you started out strong, but things have led to you just not feeling the love anymore. She’s changed and won’t sleep in…

  • Relationship Advice

    Did I Make This Whole Thing Up?

    I record random quotes that people say to me. Some are profound—some funny. I wrote one down a few years ago from my niece, who earned her doctorate at Yale. Referring to a final paper she was writing, she said, “Sometimes you come to a certain place in your argument and you wonder, did I make this whole thing up?” I laughed so hard; you would’ve thought I was front row at a Jim Gaffigan show listening to his Hot Pocket segment. But sometimes I’m not laughing, because I need to know how to be a better wife. Sometimes when I’m offering advice, I feel like a fraud. I’m supposed to…