Protect (or Ressurect) the Passion

   This morning as I reached inside the cupboard for my coffee mug, I noticed an article I had taped there over a year ago. It had struck me with such simple and practical relationship wisdom when I read it, so I had posted it inside the door of the kitchen cupboard I open most often.
   Unfortunately, I had stopped even seeing it. Perhaps being away for a week  made it visible to me again as I took down my mug. Who knows? But for whatever reason, I did notice it this morning.
   As I waited for the french press to work its magic, I re-read the 2-column article clipped from the November 2010, Bottom Line. Written by California-based psychotherapist, Barton Goldsmith, PhD who is also a syndicated columnist and radio host. This guy has also written books, which include Emotional Fitness for Intimacy: Sweeten & Deepen Your Love in Only 10 Minutes a Day. (Really?) Anyway you can read more about him on his website, www.BartonGoldsmith.com.

   The article, entitled The 5-Minute Marriage Makeover - Little Ways to Fall in Love Again, is divided into two sections:
 Classic Connections and Fast and Simple Adventures.
Thought I'd share a couple of the Classic Connections with you today, since I seem to remember the concepts I write down or illustrate more easily than those I hear or read. (And I'm certain the Professor would appreciate me remembering some of these considering he is a lark and I seem to be an owl.) So here goes:

Greet each other with a 10-second hug.

 A peck on the lips and a quick squeeze does not give you time to bond after you have been apart all day. Ten seconds is enough to get the attachment hormone oxytocin flowing in your system.

  Touch when you pass.

Make contact any time you pass each other in the house, whether with a sensual stroke along the small of the back or a quick high five.

Go to bed at the same time.

Even if one of you is a lark and the other an owl, don't miss out on the special connection of bedtime. Cuddle together in bed until the lark falls asleep---the the owl can get up and continue the evening.

 Leave each other love notes.

---on the refrigerator, on the bathroom mirror or in your partner's jacket pocket or workout bag.

   To get the next three tips in the Classic Connections part of the article and the 2 tips in the Fast and Simple Adventure part of the article, check back. I'll continue tomorrow. The "lark" is heading off to bed.