2016 Winner “Books for Better Living” Book Awards: Relationships
Everyone seems plagued with anxiety and depression these days. The divorce rate is higher than 50%. Too many children are taking some sort of psychotropic medication by the time they are in middle school. Many married couples are not having regular sex. Why? Because the most important relationships in our lives have become distant. They lack emotional closeness, which means the joy, comfort, companionship, and chemistry once present is gone-replaced by loneliness, sadness, and frustration.
Often emotional closeness is lost because of a mismatch in emotional availability. One person in the partnership is emotionally evolved and one is not. Yet, there is help. Although the equation for emotional closeness is simple,it does require education, commitment, energy, and a desire to love and love well. Hopefully, this book has provided the education and motivation. Accountability + Empathy = Emotional Closeness For those on a quest to find a loving life partner, choose carefully. Emotionally unavailable people are difficult to be with in a relationship, and their inadequacies not only impact you, but your future children.
The ideas and examples in this book explain how to select an emotionally available partner. Parents, the most important thing in your child's life is their relationship with you. Not much else matters. If there is emotional closeness, your child will not be anxious, depressed, or miserable. You will have more fun with your child and parenthood will be a joy instead of a struggle. So, stop working extra hours to pay for their new gadget and love them better. Love them well. Spend less money on them and love them better. The emotional investment is the most important investment of your life. Open your heart not your wallet.