Inside Personal Growth

This wonderful new book by author and good friend Ken Druck, is filled will the Real Rules of Life.  Most of us have read books about the rules of life, but Ken rules takes the reader to new depths of understanding about how life really works.  In my interview with Ken we discuss the 23 rules that he outlines in the book, but we also discuss their meaning and the story behind the rules. I love Kens first rule (1st): Life is Not Fair, It More Than Fair..  Some of you might be thinking that is a misprint, just how could he say that.  Let dissect what Ken is referring to here. Life is a mystery, and when we experience unbearable pain, heartbreak or loss we can all be asking ourselves Why?  Yet, we can also be asking Why for the blessings and gifts in our lives.  The truth is that its all mystery.  We have no way of knowing why sometime our hearts are torn asunder, and other times, they are filled to overflow.  Sometimes genuine hopefulness comes from the hardest moments in our livesa phoenix rising from the ashes of our loss.  As thirteenth century poet Rumi wrote, Grief can be the garden of compassion. Ken asks questions at the end of each chapter as well as provides the reader with simple actions that they can implement into their lives.  For instance he mention to sharpen our self awareness about rule number one (1), ask the questions Do I expect life to be fair? Am I holding a grudge against lifefor hurting me or letting me down?.    What great questions for reflectionthis will surly create more awareness about how we are thinking about how fair life is treating us. Kens new book The Real Rules of Life has 23 Real Rules.  They are all designed to open up your heart and get you engaged in life.  He provides the reader with great stories as well as examples of how if applied these rules can change your life.  I recommend this book for anyone wanting to create real love, hope, joy , health, and forward movement in your life. If you would like to learn more about the Real Rules of Life you can visit the book website by clicking here. Or you can learn more about the Jenna Druck Foundation by clicking here. I hope you enjoy this wonderful interview with one of the most heartfelt men I knowKen Druck.

I dont believe that their is a person either male or female who has been in a relationship that at one point or another has not had challenges in communicating effectively, and finding harmony and bliss in their relationship. In my interview with Dr. Bill Cloke who has been a couples therapist for over 30 years he reveals some very important tips and strategies for staying Happy Together the title of his new book. Bill states that the basic building blocks for a loving connection need to consider the following: 1) Boundaries-Understanding what is acceptable and what is not is vital for love to grow. We need to take time to outline what our boundaries are so we can live within them. 2) Consideration: To be considerate about the things that are important to your mates essential for harmony. 3) Fairness: Being fair helps keep a relationship balanced.  Share chores, vacations, spending, friends, and responsibilities toward relatives creates more harmony and positive feelings 4) Tolerance: Our ability to tolerate our partners foibles and flaws is important for lasting peace. Tolerance for differences in feelings, way of doing things, parenting styles, and the other opposing view that all couples have is a key component of creating love. 5) Responsibility: Being able to own our part of a problem is essential for conflict resolution. 6) Support: Support takes many forms, from helping your partner fulfill reams and aspirations to providing care when he or she is sick or defeated. Bill points out that we also have many roadblocks to love, and some of them include: blame-shifting, victimhood, entitlement, denial, displacement, guilt, shame/blame, stonewalling, projection, devaluation. He states that to truly understand what healthy communication is all about, we need to consider the complexity of what may be causing conflicts with our mate.  An argument about putting the cap back on the toothpaste may actually contain clues to buried feelings.  The core of conflict may be a sense of feeling invisible or needing to control, but the cap is the way our feelings are ignited, so the toothpaste is where the argument is focused. If you are in a good relationship and all is going well, then wonderful.  But dont think that you cant learn from Bill book Happy Together.  This book is for anyone in a relationship whether things are going great, or if you believe it needs work. This is one of the best books on relationship counseling I have read.  You just might be able to save and or improve your relationship by reading, understanding and applying some of the great wisdom that Bill teaches in Happy Together I hope you enjoy this interview, and if you would like more information about author Dr. Bill Cloke please click here to be directed to his website.