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Marriage Transformation LLC
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On sale for $13.95!
Pure
Gold:
Encouraging
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Discover how character qualities
such as trustworthiness, loyalty, truthfulness,
and courage can transform your marriage and enrich your
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"Pure Gold is a
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~ Linda Kavelin Popov, author of A Pace of Grace (honored by the Dalai Lama)
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The Marriage Transformation Project is a global
social and economic development project committed to relationship
and marriage education and skill building for people at
all stages of relationships. In addition to our own independent work
in developing materials, with a strong focus on character and communications,
we draw on many sources. These include the work of marriage researchers, psychologists, philosophers, traditional wisdom, authors, and spiritual sources. These spiritual sources include the following world's religions: Baha'i Faith,
Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.
Click here for further
project information.
Marriage Transformation™ Project
P.O. Box 23085
Cleveland, OH 44123 USA
Phone: 800-501-6682 or
(216) 383-9943
www.marriagetransformation.com
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and Design
by Joyce Ashman
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Choosing a Partner
A Marriage Transformation Message from
Susanne Alexander and Craig Farnsworth,
Relationship Coaches and Marriage Educators
Dear Friends and Colleagues:
Those of you who know our work know that we value taking responsibility in choosing a partner and ensuring you are a good match together. We encourage mindfulness along with considering feelings, and conscious observation of each other's character qualities. We want people to be purposeful in the quest for a great mate (See the Character Quality of the Month below), and not leave all the work up to random chance and instant decision-making.
Marriage therapist and educator John Van Epp, Ph.D. has just released his first book that is very much in line with this philosophy: How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk. (Note: The intent of the book is determining if someone is suitable or unsuitable for marrying, not about learning to attack someone else by calling them a "jerk".) This book is also a good mate with our books, Can We Dance? Learning the Steps for a Fulfilling Relationship for individuals and Marriage Can Be Forever--Preparation Counts!.
Van Epp makes many key points that are valuable for individuals to keep in mind:
- Falling in love makes it easy for judgment to be affected and to be blind to a partner's problems
- It takes at least 3 months to get to know someone and their deep-seated patterns, so it's best for relationships to slow down (and wait until then to introduce a child to a new partner)
- Knowing another person requires seeing him/her in action
- Mutual self-disclosure and intimacy require gradual building of trust and cannot be rushed
- Couples need to share many core values and life goals, as well as some personality qualities and lifestyle preferences
- Observe that you become a better person by being with your partner
- Be great friends
- Notice high congruence and few inconsistencies between your verbal and nonverbal communications
- There is significant mutual respect and a willingness to forgive
- Observe how your partner treats strangers
- Observe the types of friends your partner spends time with regularly
- Observe the behavior and communication patterns in your partner's family
- Ensure your partner has a highly developed conscience that guides his/her personal choices and ensures that he/she thinks of others instead of being self-centered
- Be able to effectively meet each other's needs
- Be capable of and willing to practice commitment
We are heartened to see an increasing number of books being published and workshops being offered that help individuals and couples build effective relationship skills and prepare to create strong, happy marriages. If you are hoping to marry or are in a relationship now...please engage your mind in the process.
Loving greetings,
Susanne and Craig
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The Reading Room

How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk
(The Foolproof Way to Follow Your Heart
Without Losing Your Mind)
by John Van Epp, Ph.D.
This book is practical, research and experienced-based, and has effective stories from Van Epp's practice. This is an excellent book to walk you through some of the pitfalls in the way of having a solid marriage. It's especially helpful in helping readers understand why slowing down romances aids in making good partner choices.
McGraw Hill; ISBN 0071472657, Hardcover, 288 pages
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Smart Marriages Talk by John Van Epp
http://www.iplaybacksmartmarriages.com/product/449/49
Other talks for singles by various speakers:
http://www.iplaybacksmartmarriages.com/prod_detail_list/49
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Character Quality of the Month: Purposefulness
The following excerpt from our latest book, Can We Dance? (page 449), will help you understand how purposefulness assists your relationships and even your marriage:
Purposefulness is having meaningful and vital activities and goals in life and relationships and the determination to accomplish them. I am practicing Purposefulness effectively when I:
• Take the time to set useful and valuable goals that fulfill my purposes in life or joint purposes with a partner, and act to achieve them
• Use determination, efficiency, and effectiveness to work toward my goals and dreams, including a partner wherever possible and practicable
• Focus on developing all aspects of my mind, talents, skills, and character, and encourage a partner to do the same
• Work persistently to accomplish improvements in my life and community
• Set up my environment in ways that support me in my goals, such as by reducing distractions
• Arrange for people to be around me who assist me with completing my tasks and achieving my goals
• Work diligently at both assigned and chosen tasks
• Use visualization and concentration to picture successful outcomes, including for a relationship
I need to strengthen Purposefulness when I:
• Wander aimlessly through life without any idea of where I am going or what I will do once I get there
• Spend my days lazily doing only what brings me momentary pleasure or allows me to live in the moment
• Ignore issues or tasks and do not act when it is timely and appropriate
• Avoid identifying and discussing my relationship expectations
I misuse the strength of Purposefulness when I:
• Focus so much on my goals that I neglect a partner, family, or friends, or fail to meet the legitimate needs of others
• Am intolerant or rude toward those who stand in my way when I am trying to accomplish a task or goal
• Refuse to flexibly bend or change plans as needed when new information or circumstances arise
Spiritual Reflection: "A season is set for everything, a time for every experience under heaven…A time for planting and a time for uprooting the planted; …A time for tearing down and a time for building up; A time for weeping and a time for laughing…A time for embracing and a time for shunning embraces; …A time for keeping and a time for discarding; …A time for loving."
~Tanakh, Kohelet Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
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Helpful Resources

The Singlehood Phenomenon by Tom Rodgers and Beverly Rodgers helps readers understand why people are choosing not to marry and chose marriage instead.
Can We Dance?
Learning the Steps for a Fulfilling Relationship
represents a revolutionary approach
to preparing for, seeking, and being in a relationship. This is a tool for individuals to use in preparing for a character and friendship filled relationship.
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Top 10 Character Qualities for a Successful Marriage
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Truthfulness
-
Trustworthiness
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Faithfulness
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Love
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Respect
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Responsibility
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Encouragement
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Forgiveness
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Moderation
-
Unity
~ Pure Gold: Encouraging Character Qualities in Marriage, Chapter 2
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Build Observation Skills
"Pause and listen to your instincts and feelings about your relationship as you engage in activities together. If you are feeling unsafe, overly criticized, or very anxious, it is important to pay attention and not make excuses or justifications for your partner’s poor behavior. Are there behavior patterns that the two of you can discuss and change? Do you need outside assistance? Or, is the behavior an entrenched pattern, and therefore, change is unlikely? Then you will need to consider ending the relationship.
"On the other hand, if you are picking up consistently positive signals, and you are feeling loving, confident, and unified with your partner, then those feelings affirm your positive choice to be together.
"It is also a great idea to get some outside observations and feedback from close and trusted family, friends, or advisors about their view of you as a couple. It will be difficult for you to be totally objective about how you and your partner are acting together."
~ Can We Dance? Learning the Steps for a Fulfilling Relationship, p. 256 (Chapter 10, Dips and Twirls: Observing Your Partner's Moves)
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Online Reviews Appreciated
Your thoughts and opinions matter!
Please write a testimonial/review to help other online purchasers! We encourage and welcome anyone who has read or used Pure Gold: Encouraging Character Qualities in Marriage and Can We Dance? Learning the Steps for a Fulfilling Relationship to please go to www.chapters.indigo.ca, www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, and other online bookstores and write a positive review. Other buyers read and value your comments. Thank you for your support! >Index 
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Media Coverage
Inc. Magazine, November 2006
Feature Story, "Until Death, or Some Other Sticky Problem, Do Us Part"
Susanne is included as a "Marriage Coach" commenting on
a business partnership gone bad.
Book: Where to Seat Aunt Edna, Hundreds of Heads Survival Guides -
Wedding advice; includes advice from Susanne such as:
"We chose to ask guest to bring canned food for a local homeless shelter instead of gifts; we filled the back of two pickup trucks! We also encouraged them to consider making a donation to a charity of their choice."
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 Upcoming Marriage Transformation Workshops
Creating a Pure Gold Marriage!
A Relationship Workshop for Seriously Courting,
Engaged, and Married Couples
Hurry! Less than 2 weeks to register!
November 10 - 12, 2006
(Friday evening through Sunday around noon time)
Bosch Bahá'í School, Santa Cruz, California
Married and courting couples are welcome to come learn key communication and character skills that contribute to a happy, lasting marriage. Marriage educators Susanne M. Alexander and Craig A. Farnsworth (Pure Gold: Encouraging Character Qualities in Marriage and Marriage Can Be Forever--Preparation Counts!) invite you to a fun and interactive session that includes couple time to nurture your relationship.
For further details, see: http://www.marriagetransformation.com/learning_workshops_upcoming.htm
or www.bosch.org.
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Listserves/Newsletter Subscriptions
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Did a friend forward this newsletter to you and now you want to receive your own copy each month in your email inbox? To sign up for this newsletter, go to our home page, www.marriagetransformation.com,
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MarriageTransformationEducator-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Get the latest news about marriage and The Marriage Transformation Project as it happens! Join our announcement listserve today! >Index

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Please contact us at staff@marriagetransformation.com, 800-501-6682, or (216) 383-9943 if you have any questions or comments, requests for subject matter to be covered in the newsletter, need to change your email address, or want further information about the Marriage Transformation Project. If you wish to unsubscribe from this newsletter, please click on the link below.
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