If a healthy romantic relationship were easy, more people would have one. Whether in a dating relationship, engaged, or married, here are 12 dating & marriage relationship-building activities that can take your connection from average to extraordinary.

1. Schedule Fun

Make a list of 10 activities ...

For over 25 years as a family therapist, I've seen the same core issues that, left unaddressed, lead to divorce time and time again. You give your marriage the best chance of success if you proactively avoid these 14 pitfalls below.

1. Not Addressing Core Issues

Avoiding a problem doesn't make it ...

If you get anxious about extra time with family and friends over the holidays, this information will help. Here are tools for getting past your fears so you can engage in the fun.

7 Secret Relationship Tools

Tool #1: Lower Your Expectations

Having unrealistic expectations of yourself and others i...

You may be looking forward to the extra time with friends and family over the holidays. Like me, you have high hopes that can get dashed as you slide back into old patterns of relating. It's hard to break old habits. Resist the belief that things can't change.

Take action to improve the health of y...

In 12 Life Balance Tips (Part 1) I gave you six activities that can help get your life on track. Here's six more tips. Take some action with these tips because application leads to transformation happens. There's a lot at stake.

6 Additional Life Balance Activities

1. Some is Better Than None

Jus...

Always going on a traditional date (e.g. dinner and activity) can be expensive and boring. You have fun dating options available at home for free.

Constraints, like staying at home and spending no money, can bring out your creativity. When people have limited resources, they can get extremely cr...

Do you want to have a winning marriage or a mediocre one? Do you believe that having a great marriage is possible? Are you trying to thrive or just survive? Just surviving in your marriage is not only stressful, but it's depressing. Be proactive and put in the effort to win.

"Do you know that in ...