Romantic Aromatherapy Bath For Two
by Carolyn Flynn
Baths are a wonderful way to relax from the world and rejuvenate yourself. Add a cup of Epson salt to your bath water to help purify and detoxify your body. Slice an orange or two into rings and enjoy them while soaking in your bath. Toss the rinds into the water to give a soft citrus aromatherapy. You can also add lemon and/or lime citrus rings to your bath water or drops of your favorite essential oil. Turn on some soft music, light some candles, or plug in white Christmas lights and wash your worries away. Relax and rejuvenate by yourself in preparation for a romantic date for two. Or invite your partner to join you for some relaxing water romance.
Flickr photo by Nico Nelson
Carolyn Flynn is a Licensed Professional Counselor and author of Heal Your Grief, SMART Talk, and Holiday Peace And Joy.
Love Is Sweet
Share your heart
by Carolyn Flynn
Flickr photo by Nina Matthews Photography/Nina Matthews
Carolyn Flynn is a Licensed Professional Counselor and author of Heal Your Grief, SMART Talk, and Holiday Peace And Joy.
Merry Christmas Darling
Gift the gifts that will be treasured for a lifetime
Love, Kindness, and Forgiveness
by Carolyn Flynn
Flickr photo by macinate
Carolyn Flynn is a Licensed Professional Counselor and author of Heal Your Grief, SMART Talk, and Holiday Peace And Joy.
Fantasy Dates and The Bachelor
As another season of The Bachelor comes to an end I had to take some time to think about the fantasy dates that occur on the show versus dating in real life.
I have to admit my heart skips a beat, watching the exotic fantasy dates as contestants are whisked off to far away places, given designer shopping sprees, presents of diamonds and evening gowns, and private concert performances. All those childhood fairy tales and fantasies coming to life on my TV screen. Who wouldn’t want to be on a show that has the potential for lavish dating, Neil Lane diamonds, and a paid for dream wedding and honeymoon. Doesn’t every girl dream of being Cinderella, even just for one day. The Wedding industry has become a billion dollar business trying to make every girls’ fantasy fairy tale dream come true. ABC is offering the chance for your dreams come true – and they’ll pay for it too. (Now you just have to deal with the cat fights, competition, cameras, and the latest drama they’ve stirred up to increase the ratings. But hey, it’s a small price to pay to be Cinderella for a few days.)
The fantasy date may make you feel like you’re Cinderella, but some how it doesn’t quite make it to the end where “they lived happily ever after”. The Bachelor’s statics will show you that fact with only one contestant making it to marriage and family, and a second getting his happily ever after with a do-over, an oops I chose the wrong Cinderella, but hey, he got it. (How many of us Bachelor fans are wishing Aaron would request a do-over and reconnect with Gwen, and maybe make it a third happily ever after.) The surprising marriage success is not for those contestants finding love on the show, but those who found their “happily ever after” after being on the show. Marrying men they had previously known or been friends with, often from their own hometowns. No cameras, no lavish dating, no whirlwind romance dating competition and travel all over the world. Just simple dating and being friends.
In my own life I realized a zero correlation to fantasy dates and the potential quality of a relationship. My best relationships have been with those I was happy just hanging out with. Being single we dream of that prince charming date that will sweep us off our feet. Those are great stories to remember and dream about. But when it comes to love and marriage we typically want more. Something deeper, more earthy, and real. Someone we can talk to, hang out with, cuddle with, and be ourselves with.
The secret to a strong relationship and a happy marriage is to find a balance of fantasy and reality. Go on exotic trips, buy expensive presents, stay in honeymoon suites. But also spend time hanging out, playing in the park, eating pizza, and watching the stars. You’ll be surprised to find that it is the simple dates and time together that will really make your heart sing.
By Carolyn Flynn
Flickr photo by Sean McGrath
Carolyn Flynn is a Licensed Professional Counselor and author of Heal Your Grief, SMART Talk, and Holiday Peace And Joy.
