Humans are social beings – they thrive when their relationships flourish. Relationship skills are critical to success in life and work. This includes communicating clearly, listening actively, cooperating, resisting inappropriate social pressure, negotiating conflict constructively, and seeking and offering help when needed.

• The Secret to Happiness: Building Meaningful Relationships
  Arthur Brooks, a renowned social scientist, shares profound insights into what truly makes life happy and fulfilling as we age. Contrary to common assumptions, the key isn’t just about chasing passions or raising children—it’s about cultivating deep, enduring relationships. Here’s what he emphasizes: 1. The Power of a Strong Partnership At the heart of a… Read more: The Secret to Happiness: Building Meaningful Relationships
• The Secret to a Good Life: Lessons from the Harvard Study on Happiness
  What truly keeps us healthy and happy as we go through life? Imagine you’re investing in your future best self—where would you focus your time and energy? For many, the instinct might be to chase wealth and fame. A recent survey of Millennials found that over 80% had the goal of getting rich, and 50%… Read more: The Secret to a Good Life: Lessons from the Harvard Study on Happiness
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  Six Hard Truths About Modern Friendship
  Friendships are one of the most important aspects of our lives, but they’re not always easy. In her book Modern Friendship, Anna Goldfarb lays out six hard truths about modern friendships that can help us navigate these relationships with more understanding and grace. 1. Friends Will Disappoint You First and foremost, it’s crucial to accept that friends… Read more: Six Hard Truths About Modern Friendship
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  How to Disagree with Respect: Lessons from Spencer J. Cox’s TED Talk
  In his TED Talk, “How to Disagree with Respect — Not Hate,” Spencer J. Cox shares valuable insights on the importance of respectful disagreement and the preservation of democracy. He begins with a quote from Ronald Reagan, who became the governor of California in 1967. Reagan highlighted the fragility of freedom, stating, “Freedom is a… Read more: How to Disagree with Respect: Lessons from Spencer J. Cox’s TED Talk
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  Cultivating Genuine Human Connection: Lessons from David Brooks
  In an age where digital communication often overshadows personal interaction, David Brooks’ insights into human connection provide a crucial reminder of the importance of making others feel genuinely known and valued. His discourse on the art of interpersonal relationships underscores four fundamental skills: physical attention, creating a sense of freedom and space, delighting in others,… Read more: Cultivating Genuine Human Connection: Lessons from David Brooks
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  The most beautiful human bond is Friendship
  Friendship is the most beautiful relationship because it is based on mutual trust, understanding, and support. Unlike romantic or familial relationships, friendships are not bound by obligation or societal expectations, making them more freely chosen and thus, more authentic. Friendship is also unique in that it allows for vulnerability without fear of judgment. Friends can… Read more: The most beautiful human bond is Friendship
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  Love can be Pathological
  Pathological forms of love refer to types of love that are considered abnormal or unhealthy. These can take many different forms and are often associated with personality disorders or other mental health conditions. Some examples of pathological forms of love include: These forms of love can be harmful to both the person experiencing them and… Read more: Love can be Pathological
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  SCARF model for working effectively with others
  Being effective in any kind of collaboration, be it with children, students, friends, associates, co-workers or even loved ones is a skill. The few people who can do this well can lead themselves and others well. Developing this essential leadership skill requires a deliberate focus on the dynamics at play in any social setting and… Read more: SCARF model for working effectively with others
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  Relationship check: Watch how one treats his/ her worst enemy
  Before getting into a relationship with a person, it makes sense to run this simple check: Just watch how the person treats their worst enemy. This will tell you how you will be treated if by chance you are to be tagged as an enemy one day. You will get to feel that behaviour. Compassion… Read more: Relationship check: Watch how one treats his/ her worst enemy
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  The Story Where You Play Villain
  Our lives are a bunch of stories, sometimes inter-twining and inter-crossing places, people and events; sometimes real, sometimes imaginary. We all like to see ourselves as the protagonist of the stories we live. Given a choice, we would like to play the hero in all stories too. However, inevitably, one may find oneself in a… Read more: The Story Where You Play Villain
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  Can family relationships turn toxic?
  We have been conditioned to believe that relationships in the family are always beautiful and full of love and fulfilment. Like all other things, it is not always so. I have seen how toxicity starts showing in relationships. When left unchecked these relationships take a toll on our physical and mental health and erode our… Read more: Can family relationships turn toxic?
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  Is an apology enough?
  Apology and forgiveness do not cancel each other. It takes a lot more.