Dear Coach Greg: My wife and I have had a “good” marriage for many years. Most of the time we get along and we are civil to each other but it’s been awhile since we’ve made passionate love. We both work full time and are often too tired to get out of our rut. Can you help us get back on track before we have another year of “nothing special”?

- Lost That Lovin’ Feeling

Dear Lost:

Congratulations on wanting to get your marriage back on track. The short answer is: Yes, you can get back on track if you are willing to “work” on reconnecting with each other, rather than just going through the motions of having a relationship. Imagine what would happen to your car if you didn’t take it in for regular maintenance! The same neglect can leave your marriage run down and nearly broken if you choose not to give it regular attention. For 2006 I want your intention to include the following marital resolutions to get your marriage back on track. Implement the first resolution (Share 3 Gratitudes ...) in January and February, adding one additional resolution every two months. Passionate love will soon follow! 

* Share 3 Gratitudes (“Today, I am grateful for ...”) about your partner each day to make a deposit in their emotional bank account. {Fearless Loving:Eight Simple Truths That Will Change the Way You Date, Mate, and Relate by Rhonda Britten}

* Make Time For FUN In Your Relationship. (Alternate the planning of 1 “mystery date” each month with your partner and put it on the calendar.)

* Healthy, Stable, Loving Relationships Need Regular Maintenance. (Join a couples group – Strength In Numbers: A Guide to Enriching Your Marriage Through Creating and Maintaining a Couples Group by Burd, Liming, Skudneski/Stutzman, and Thiel.)

For additional Proactive Resolutions For A More Loving Year Ahead go to: www.RelationshipCoach.us, then click on Golden Nugget. For more information about “mystery dates”, writing gratitudes, and joining a couples group go to: www.RelationshipCoach.us, then click on Upcoming Workshops – Three Hours to a Happier Relationship.        

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Send your relationship question for Relationship Coaching Corner to: gregrthiel@comcast.com or visit www.RelationshipCoach.us.