Dear Dr. Jackie:

Recently, it almost feels like I am in a relationship by myself. My partner and I are always busy with other things and we hardly see each other. What advice can you give us that will bring us back together to enjoy the relationship I know we both want?

1) How many ways do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Pick at least three qualities about your partner that you love. Gift each one of these with something special. For example, give her a CD by her favorite recording artist in celebration of whatever you consider to be her (or his) most appealing facial feature. Choose a clothing accessory that includes the color that you think best flatters your partner and celebrate the way they look in that color. Come up with a quality that you have always valued, from the start of your relationship onward and feature that in a message written in a blank card by you with a tender sign-off. De-emphasize the gifts and emphasize the qualities that you want to call attention to and celebrate.

There are many ways to attract the opposite sex. But have you ever wondered if smell was one of them? Pat Davis, President of Passion Parties, Inc. reminds us that building desire and intimacy in your relationship should include all five senses. Davis’ book Passion Parties Guide to Great Sex tells us how to attract the opposite sex through all senses including the sense of smell with the help of pheromones. Different kinds of pheromones including sex pheromones are released naturally from your body. Has anyone ever told you they like the way you smell or asked what you were wearing? Maybe you weren’t wearing anything at all. The reason behind this is your natural scent or pheromones.

After 23 years in a successful third (!!?) marriage, I’ve learned 10 Secrets to Keep Your Relationship Working Happily Ever After. Each secret requires certain attributes and strategies to fulfill them. For example:

You can only feel that which leaves me feeling comfortable. Sound familiar?

Battered women and abused men know that when they experience and express a feeling that is not in harmony with their abusive partner, then there will be a price paid.

What is the difference between jealousy and envy? You know each of these feelings like the back of your hand if you have ever lived in an abusive relationship.