Tag: relationships

Taking out toxic thoughts

by Rob Furlong
Last month we began a discussion on the impact our mental health has on the quality of our life and relationships.
In particular, we focused on ways that we can address the toxic thinking that plagues our thought life.
Here are some more principles I have found extremely helpful in dealing with my own toxic thinking:
When you become aware of a toxic thought, actively replace it with a positive one. Sing a song or remind yourself of an encouraging thing someone said about you.
Continue reading

Filed under: Rob Furlong - Building Better RelationshipsTagged with: , , ,

The power of your thoughts

By Rob Furlong
As I write this article Australia’s Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 has just concluded.
“What in the world does mental health have to do with relationships?” you ask.
Everything, actually – especially in this time of what has come to be called “social distancing.”
The term itself has bothered me a little, subtly implying that we must cut off all contact with each other.
“Physical distancing” is much more accurate.
When we are cut off completely – voluntarily and involuntarily – from relational contact, our mental health suffers.
And so do our relationships.
Continue reading

Filed under: Rob Furlong - Building Better RelationshipsTagged with: , , ,

Vital keys to better communication

by Rob Furlong
The sign hanging from the balcony of the second floor apartment said it all. It simply read, “For sale – one husband!”
After a number of weeks of government enforced isolation, clearly things – or her husband – were getting to one poor lady!
With most of the world in some form of lockdown it would be unusual for even the best of relationships to not experience some form of tension at the moment!
Continue reading

Filed under: Rob Furlong - Building Better RelationshipsTagged with: , , ,

Fear is a relationship killer

By Rob Furlong
One theme has dominated news headlines recently – toilet paper supplies in our supermarkets are running low as a result of “panic buying” by large numbers of the Australian population.
Why?
One reason suggested is the false belief that toilet paper can be used as a face mask to protect you from contracting the Coronavirus.
Now we are getting to the root cause of this erratic behaviour – fear – fear induced by the threat the Coronavirus outbreak represents.
But what does this have to do with relationships?
Continue reading

Filed under: Rob Furlong - Building Better RelationshipsTagged with: , , ,

Why are we so angry?

Tips for Life

By Alan Bailey

PEOPLE seem to be flying off the handle in all directions today. Have you noticed it? There’s road rage that seems to show up almost every day. People are often irritated by small things, such as being beaten to a parking spot or being upset by a queue jumper. In the home, short fuses cause untold damage with words and even fists flying to make a point. Alas, weapons are used for vengeance and murders are committed out of anger. Why have we become an angry society?Continue reading

Filed under: Alan BaileyTagged with: , ,

Our most serious disease

Tips for Life

by Alan Bailey

The cry of the present day seems to be “Get outta my way!”

You see the grimace on the face of the man or woman who was beaten to the parking bay at the supermarket. At times it will be heard in the impatient blowing of the car horn or the shouted insult. At least in the western world, considering oneself first has become the rule of life. Individualism has gone mad. Richard Dawkins blames what he calls the ’selfish gene’. It strikes me that it has much more to do with the conscious choices we make.

Continue reading

Filed under: Alan BaileyTagged with: , ,

Having Healthy Relationships

Tips for Life

by Alan Bailey

So much of life seems to be a network of relationships. Apparently we are built to relate to others around us. It is part of being human. It means so much to have a friend, a sister, a brother, a mother, a father, a wife or a husband. Happy is the person who can experience the nearness of others who have an interest in them and even a stake in their lives. Happy is the person who can say that the relationships in their lives, especially the close ones, are healthy and well maintained. Love given and love received is a great recipe for happiness.

Continue reading

Filed under: Alan BaileyTagged with: ,

Being a great dad

Tips for Life

by Alan Bailey

“What dads leave in life is more significant than what they leave in death.”

When the word ‘father’ is mentioned, a concept comes to mind which is strongly influenced by one’s personal experience. For those who have a dad, or can remember, a set of impressions emerge. A few common ones would go like this:

The man I feared. I could never please him, never gain his approval. A sour memory.
The man who made my mother’s life miserable.
The distant, often absent man I wish I had known better.
The warm, thoughtful man who did so much to shape my life. I’m thankful for him.
What’s it all about?

Continue reading

Filed under: Alan BaileyTagged with: , , ,

Stay close to your friend

Tips for Life

by Alan Bailey

One of the greatest things in life is to relate to a special person who is very near and dear. For some, it will be just one friend or loved one, for others, several of that kind. Whatever it is for us, we treasure them as people and cherish their closeness.

But all too often we hear of breakdown. Husband leaves wife, or wife leaves husband. Sons, daughters fall out with parents or in-laws. Relationships have soured. Surely it must be one of the most common personal traumas faced by people today.

Continue reading

Filed under: Alan BaileyTagged with: , ,