How to Revive a Dying Relationship

This is a true story. I was once in a long termmostly counseling is about getting the two people to
relationship (years) and suddenly one day my partnercommunicate anyway. What if you already knew the
(obviously bothered) sat at the kitchen table andsignals and needed to communicate BEFORE it was
clammed up tighter than a wing nut on the spacetoo late? Then you better have had studied up on
shuttle. No amount of coaxing and pleading would getthe subject because usually anger or denial results
her to tell me what was up. Having sensed theduring a conflict and not rational thought and flowing
signals for weeks that something was amiss, I triedcommunication. Knowing WHAT to say and NOT to
to find out what was going on, all to no avail. I finallysay is vitally important. Many a foot has been
said I had to conclude she wanted to end thesurgically removed from a mouth because of
relationship and if that was not true, now was thesomething said (but not necessarily intended) to a
time to stop playing the mime act. No response so Ipartner and many a comment is 'heard' differently by
left and we broke up.the receiver than what was meant by the issuer. In
A relationship can withstand a lot of trouble. Manythe end, it comes down to understanding the role
couples have been able to overcome infidelity, lying,communication plays in a relationship, whether it be
lack of passion - even financial issues. But abetween lovers, married couples, parents and children
relationship CANNOT survive the turbulent timesor between siblings.
without communication. The problem is, not manyFor couples, it is estimated that 83% of divorces
people know HOW to communicate. Both during thecould be avoided if the couples were able to ask and
relationship ups and during the downs and nothing willanswer certain questions vital to every relationship.
end a partnership faster than one person feeling leftYou too can learn what the important questions are
out and useless.and begin strengthening your relationships before the
Counseling is usually offered as the answer butdivorce papers arrive.