Scanlon Blogs

     Relationships are never easy.  Yes, there are many pros to relationships; love, laughs, fun times, etc.  There are also cons, such as fighting, disagreements, and stress.  Some people, especially younger men and women, who get into relationships think they are going to be all sunshine and rainbows.  When things do not end up going the way they anticipated, the relationship often ends.  They believe that just because fighting broke out and that they fight a lot, or so it seems, that the relationship was never meant to be.  Yes, there can be instances where two people should not be in a relationship because they fight too much or are not compatible.  However, most of the time people give up on relationships too quickly.  Just because a couple fights from time to time, it does not always mean the relationship is not worth saving.  In fact, it usually means that the relationship is normal.      If couples di...

     One cannot be selfish in a relationship but they must also put themselves first from time to time.  More so, your partner should also do the same to ensure the relationship is healthy.  The best way to do this is through compromise.  Compromise is a settlement between two or more parties for one situation to benefit the parties involved.  In this case, compromise in a relationship involves allowing the other person to be happy while also thinking of your own happiness and keeping the relationship alive.  Sometimes, this can mean doing something for the other person you may not be pleased with, such as allowing the other person to do something they want to do when you wanted to do something else.      As long as you allow the other person to be happy and vice versa, the relationship will be much better off.  Selfish people do not create the greatest of environments for a relationship.  If you put yourself first mo...

     Family dinners are what brings the family closer together.   My entire life, my family and I have had family dinners, and it is because of this we are such a tight-knit group.   We have so many fond memories of eating, spending time together, and having a good time.   We would often listen to music while also having great discussions revolving around numerous topics.   I encourage everybody to have family dinners for the reasons stated.   Every time you sit down with your family, you give your family the opportunity to talk, become closer, and make memories.      The main reason for having a family dinner is for family discussion.   Talking brings people closer together and makes the experience more enjoyable.   When family members go and do their own thing, the family does not connect, laugh, or share experiences.   One of the best things to talk about is memories, especially when it comes to one’s own parent...

     Compromise plays a role in maintaining a healthy relationship.   Many relationship problems are due to selfishness.   When we are single, we are able to do whatever we want whenever we want to.   Once we are in a relationship, moments arise which makes us question whether or not it is worth sacrificing this freedom.   Although some freedoms are lost, such as talking to other potential partners, the ability to be our own person is not.   We are still capable of retaining our individuality and enjoying that which makes us happy.   Relationships do, however, require sacrificing some free time to maintain.   Sometimes, this means being put into uncomfortable situations or doing something you may not find particularly interesting.   However, relationships are a two-way street, meaning your significant other should be sacrificing as much as you.   Otherwise, the relationship is built upon selfishness and will not last.   Th...

     As we discussed in the last blog, true happiness takes many different forms, one being the satisfaction of helping others.   Making memories with loved ones, as well as being there for them, is another form.   The importance of family, friends, and loved ones is something few can argue against.   If we did not have the people who love, support and cheer us on while moving through life, our achievements may feel mundane.   Even if you consider yourself a lone wolf, I am sure you can think of someone who is or was there for you.   These are the people who push us to succeed, follow our dreams, and make our achievements more exciting.   This is because we have people to share our experiences with, people who we know genuinely care about what we have to say.   If we did not have that, we can become lonely, depressed, and lose motivation to succeed.   Without loved ones to share our joy with, we cannot truly be happy.  ...

     I’d like to dedicate this short blog to my loving mother.  She’s done a lot for me and my family, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without her in my life.  I appreciate everything she has done for me and more, and I hope I can be as great of a parent as she is.  Thank you, mummykinz!      If you are like me, you appreciate all your mother has done for you; the long nights helping with homework, the meals she cooked, etc.  This was all out of the kindness of her heart.  They deserve much more praise than a single day, but Mother’s Day is a reminder to do so.         Don’t forget to give them a gift, even if it is something small.  Moms generally do not care what the gift is.  It is the meaning behind the gift that matters.  They just want to know you are thinking of them and appreciate their hard work.  Taking them out to a nice dinner, doing their work around the hous...

     Many people believe when a relationship does not work out, the person they associated with was a waste of time.  Those who deceive, lie, cheat, or cause us grief were once people we thought of as friends, family, and trusted companions.  Then, one day, we realize they were not worth our time, or they do something to prove it themselves, but that does not mean they were a waste of time.  The fact of the matter is, everyone we meet teaches us something; patience, honesty, will, integrity, determination, loyalty, etc.  Although the person may not have been worthwhile in the long-term, what they taught us certainly is.  People are not a waste of time, because they teach us valuable life experiences to take into consideration for the future.  We mature, become stronger, and learn more about ourselves when we go through heartache, heartbreak, or loss.        Past relationships help us understand what we do and do not want...

     Couples go on vacation together all of the time, and there are many benefits to doing so.  Going on vacation allows both people to leave their responsibilities behind, travel, and focus on each other.  As a result, a lot can happen, and a lot can change.  Here are four benefits of a couple's vacation. 1. Learn More About Your Partner      Being together at home can be different than vacationing together.   For one, you are not thinking about work, daily responsibilities, or getting ready for the next day.   Instead, you are in a new place away from reality, thinking about nothing except the next fun thing to do.   Sometimes, you have a lot of downtime to relax, and that is when conversations spark.   Vacationing is also a good way to learn more about your partner’s strengths and weaknesses and vice versa.   This, in turn, will allow you to better understand your partner, why they act a certain way and streng...

     True love is more than being with somebody, it is a mixture of positive and negative experiences.  People forget this, and often times they give up on relationships for being too difficult, too much work, or they feel the person is too different.  Of course, these reasons are justifiable in certain situations, but it would seem many people jump the gun too quick.  People also tend to get into relationships for the sake of being in one, which is nothing but a waste of time.  To prevent these situations, here are five ways to experience true love. 1. Do Not Search      People feel the need to search because they are either lonely or fearful of being alone.  Many end up searching in the wrong places, or they find a person who is incompatible, dating them for the sake of being with someone.  This usually ends in the couple breaking up, the person losing confidence, and believing they are unlovable.  In reality, they ...

     Relationships can be difficult, but are rewarding.  Many people struggle to find happiness in a relationship, because they do not know how to maintain, strengthen, or progress one.  However, there are many different ways a person can do so, not only by changing their own habits, but the habits of their significant other as well.  Here are five ways to improve your relationship. 1. Improve Communication      Communication is one, if not the most important part of a relationship.  Strong communication allows you and your significant other to understand each other’s thoughts, opinions, and emotions.  You also learn more about each other through talking, allowing you to become closer to the person.  Without proper communication, you and your significant other will not be on the same page.  This can be problematic, as not knowing the other’s thoughts can lead to overthinking, resentment, and anger.  Often times, wh...