Strong Women, Strong Love · The Missing Manual for the Modern Marriage by Sharma, Poonam -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Table of Contents Preface Introduction PART 1: IT'S NOT ALL YOU! 1. YES, MARRIAGE THESE DAYS REALLY IS CONFUSING!

Common complaints men and women have of one another Is there hope? Dump the bad relationship advice, and discover what really works.

2. IF THE RULES OF MARRIAGE HAVE CHANGED, WHERE'S THE REVISED MANUAL?

3. WE'RE DROWNING IN STRESS AND DRAGGING OUR RELATIONSHIPS DOWN WITH US.

Be warned: A marriage under too much stress will fall apart. The hardwired response to threat Dangers of chronic stress on health What keeps us trapped in stress?

PART 2: THE ART AND SCIENCE OF THE STRONG, IRRESISTIBLE WOMAN 4. CALM DOWN TO INVITE CONNECTION.

Shifting from doing to being Let go of what you hoped for, and open yourself up to what is.

5. REMOVE THE BARRIERS TO CHANGING YOUR RELATIONSHIP.

Hiding from the truth Harboring resentment Relinquishing your personal power Being unaware of thinking errors that skew how you see your husband Maintaining an antagonistic stance in the relationship Mistaking vulnerability for weakness Failing to seize the moment

6. KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU NEED.

Practice intimate separateness. Learn to be flexible. Understand the danger of being too nice. Distinguish selfishness from self-care. Break the shackles of guilt. Hold onto yourself to hold onto the marriage.

7. LET HIM SEE YOU.

Figure out if you are holding back too often. Know the difference between emotionally guarded and private. Unleash the real you. The indisputable formula for becoming simply irresistible Let yourself need a man.

PART 3: ACTIONS THAT ARE THE KISS OF DEATH FOR A MARRIAGE 8. DON'T HIT BELOW THE BELT AND OTHER GROUND RULES FOR MANAGING CONFLICT.

Know how to successfully move through the conflict 9. GIVE UP THE NAGGING BEHAVIORS THAT DRIVE YOU APART.

Lose the losing strategies. Don't let perfectionism convince you there is only one way to do things. Burn the ownership papers. Don't let fear ruin your relationship.

PART 4: THE INNER WORKINGS OF A DEEP AND PASSIONATE LOVE 10. PRACTICE SEVEN SIMPLE HABITS THAT MAKE LOVE LAST.

1. Generously infuse the relationship with positives. 2. Trust him. 3. Find him perfect, as is. 4. Be kind. 5. Go with the flow. 6. Be fair. 7. Guard respect above all.

11. BUILD A DEEPLY INTIMATE FRIENDSHIP.

Three essential tools for creating intimacy Dig deeper, if he will allow it. Unload the emotional baggage. Spot the ways he is already telling you he loves you. Don't let the intimate connection unravel. Keep learning about each other

12. KEEP PASSION ALIVE.

Habituation is the enemy. The specific conditions that ignite passion Tend to the spark and learn to fan it.

PART 5: PROTECTING LOVE 13. DESIGN A LIFESTYLE THAT KEEPS LOVE STRONG.

Figure out your "Big Rocks." Simplify Share responsibilities.

14. WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH

Have the courage to surrender to the change process. Choose to move toward him.

APPENDIX A: SUMMARY OF BOTTOM LINES APPENDIX B: RECOMMENDED READING About Poonam Sharma, Ph.D.