Leon Scott Baxter's Blog, page 24

Lost the Spark

Give Thanks for Your Partner

[image error]Thanksgiving is upon us and we’re flooded with family, food and football. Most of us remember to give thanks for the positives in our lives, but one thing that many of us neglect in our thankful list is our significant other.

If you have reason to give thanks for your partner, then don’t forget to do so today. Somewhere between the parade and the cranberry sauce make a point to thank your partner for all they have done for you, the support they offer you, and the unconditional love they share with you.

You can make it a public announcement at the dinner table as you go around mentioning what you are thankful for. You can write it down in a card or on a note paper and give it to them. You can wait until the last morsel of pumpkin pie has been consumed and the last dish has been put into the dishwasher, and tonight, in bed together, you can tell them why you are thankful for their relationship.

However you do it, be sure not to let this opportunity pass. You can give thanks for your partner any day of the year, but let them know today, because that’s what Thanksgiving is all about. Have a wonderful day!

Work Over Me

Is She Too Old For Me?

Arrivederci Amore

I love the fact that Kanye West is a roamantic guy. Last month he surprised girlfriend, Kim Kardashian, by sweeping her away for a surprise three-day trip to Italy for her birthday. The couple has been dating for six months. They went out to[image error] dinner, toured the Sistine Chapel and Kanye bought Kim a new wardrobe (which she was desperately in need of).

Although I love Kanye’s romantic efforts, the couple is still in their honeymoon stage. So, this kind of stuff comes naturally for these first six to eighteen months. Also, the rapper has got bookoo bucks (did I spell that right?). So, surprise trips to Europe are part of the repertoire. But, to be honest, clothes, flowers (see the photo) and dinners aren’t all that creative, but if Kim feels loved and cared for via his actions, then it’s romantic.

The real problem I have is that Kim is in a serious relationship after last year’s 10-week marriage to NBA player, Kris Humphries. Seriously, Kim? You have suddenly found the man of your dreams a couple months after finding Mr. Right?

Kanye, she’s beautiful and famous and loaded, but she’s fickle. Stop wasting your time and money on flowers, trips and clothes on a woman who goes from man-to-man, like a dog goes from hydrant to hydrant. Take a little time, Kim. Figure things out. Examine your mistakes and learn not to repeat them. Ciao bella.

Don’t Let the Election Pull You Apart

The big day is here, time to discover who will run the country for the next four years. For most couples they are rooting for the same candidate, but what happens if you and your spouse have voted for different candidates? Spouses with opposing political views can have a happy marriage, but you need to be sure to avoid the hot topics. My wife and I married from different religious backgrounds. We are also of different ethnicities. And, the nay-sayers told us it wouldn’t work. But, we didn’t focus on our differences. We focus on where we come together.

Politics can certainly be heated and create debates between the closest of spouses. So, no matter what the results are of this Presidential Election, you need to keep it out of the bedroom. One of you will be victorious, and the other will be defeated. Don’t gloat if your candidate wins, and don’t mock if yours loses. Congratulate your spouse and then try to find some common ground for the two of you.

Look, if you want this marriage to last the next four years, you have to avoid focusing on where your political parties disagree. You married each other in spite of those differences, because there were so many qualities and trai[image error]ts that drew you together. Those qualities and traits are still there, whether Republican or Democrat. So, get out there, vote, and then kiss your spouse no matter what happens.

 

Sandy Reminds Us to Love

Disasters like Hurricane Sandy, are a part of our lives. We always hope that they will avoid us, but the majority of adults have been through some kind of disaster in their lives: hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, wild fires. If you have been a vict[image error]im of one of these disasters, you know how it can turn your world upside down. It feels like all you know is now backward and the world is not as you thought.

As a survivor, you are glad that you have your life and loved ones. Possessions can be replaced. The thing is, the rebuilding of your home and life can take a toll on you. Having a partner you can lean on is crucial in times like these. The problem is, that often we can’t predict when a disaster will affect us, and once it hits it’s too late to work on our relationships.But, those of us who have strong connections to our partners, can weather the storm so much better than those of us who end up having to go through it with a partner that we haven’t connected to in years.

Once again, I remind couples, work on your relationships. Bring romance to it. Look forward to being with your partners. Not only is it great for the relationship and keeping you together, but another added benefit is when disaster or tragedy hit, you have a go-to partner, someone you can count on, a pillar for you when you can no longer stand.

To the victims of Hurricane Sandy, my prayers are with you. To all of us who have been fortunate enough to not be affected, let’s count our blessings and work on our relationships for the day when we need to lean on our partners.

Country and The Idol

Country singer, Jason Aldean, married since 2001 to his high school sweetheart, was found kissing up on American Idol Season 11 contestant, Brittany Kerr. Aparently, Aldean was out on tour and was partying at a [image error]bar and was caught on film kissing the singer, Charlotte Bobcats cheerleader.

Aldean, father of two, didn’t defend his actions, but quickly apologized claiming he’d had too much to drink and stating that touring was hard on his marriage, and that he and his wife will need to learn how to deal with it….Hmmm, that sounds an awful lot like defending himself (“It was the booze and the touring.”)

Look, if you aren’t happy in your marriage, booze, space from your spouse and hanging with cheerleaders is guaranteed to lead you to some sticky situations. The thing to do is either work on the marriage, or stay clear of alcohol until you can. Long distance relationships are a killer, but if the marriage is worthwhile, being proactive and investing in the relationship is far easier than back-pedaling, making excuses and landing yourself on TMZ and int he doghouse.

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