intimacy

The kindergarten class was just simmering down after recess. Several little boys were hysterically giggling in a corner while the teacher attempted to get the class back to their seats. As she approached the gaggle of rowdies, she overheard snippets of conversation. A dark frown crossed her face.

"Children!" she exclaimed, "That's potty-language. Potty-language is not acceptable in our classroom!"

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF the Florida Jewish News

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION from the Florida Jewish News, pp. 12, 20

One of my pet peeves is using the word “adult,” as in “adult movie” because, in fact, the nature of relationships in the so-called “adult” scene are so juvenile. Who watches such things? People with self-esteem and esteem of their significant other? People who know how to get satisfaction without manufacturing artificial means? People who know how to give satisfaction to those they love?

What do porn and substance abuse have in common?: They are both mind-numbing escapes from emotional pain. They both do that very well, engaging the attention of the victims caught in their grip so completely that they can actually fool themselves into believing they like what they are doing. After all, drugs and sex are very powerful chemical agents acting on the brain. And, of particular importance, they both have an equally rapid come-down from their highs. That's why the true addict must have more very quickly; it doesn't last.

The main idea in marriage counseling is not about "communication," although that could be part of it. The main idea is not about behaving right (like helping in the house), although that's certainly a part of it. The main idea is not about thoughts and not fixed by cognitive behavioral therapy, although that has helped lots of people to a great extent. The main idea in marriage counseling IS about fanning the flames of passion and being happy together. If you don't get that far, you haven't done real marriage counseling.