Opening Your World: Finding Common Ground Through Conversation
A Heineken ad demonstrates the power of communication that connects individuals with opposing political differences. The ad makes use of Gordon A. Allport’s Intergroup Contact Theory, positing that given the opportunity to openly communicate, people are equipped with an ability to understand and appreciate different points of views, ultimately reducing bias and prejudice.
Generalizing this theory to relationships, when couples engage in a nonthreatening conversation about hot button issues, they have a profoundly better chance of understanding their partner as well as feeling understood and accepted.
Judith Newman, journalist, has generated a review of self-help books on the topics of sex and relationships. The books she has reviewed include:
brain in a restful state. These studies have consistently concluded the value of taking mental breaks and how downtime for the brain actually enhances productivity, memory, alertness and creativity. In our opinion, these mental breaks will also help you improve your relationship and be more present to your partner.
We are approaching the celebration of Chanukah, known as “The Festival of Lights”. Every night for eight days, we light another candle until on the eight night, we are lighting eight candles. In every temple/synagogue, there was and is a light which is always lit, the Eternal Light, signifying G-d’s presence. At the time of Chanukah (the Jews were fighting for religious freedom against the Greeks) there was only enough oil in the Eternal Light to last one day. Of course, there was a miracle and the light lasted for eight days until the Jews were able to bring more oil. A small number of Jews (in comparison to the large number of Greeks) were able to defeat the Greeks to win religious freedom, bringing light to the Jewish people again.