Gratitude: Plant Now, Reap Later

By Francine & Byron Pirola | December 30, 2018

As we look forward to the new year, lots of us are making resolutions, setting goals, planning for the coming months. Most of our colleagues…

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The Smarter Way to Love

By Francine & Byron Pirola | December 19, 2018

Falling in love is easy. Staying in love requires a conscious decision and focused investment. Loving the Smart way is easy when you know how.…

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A very grand Advent

By Francine & Byron Pirola | December 14, 2018

It’s Advent again – the season of waiting. This year, our waiting takes on a special focus – we are awaiting the arrival of our…

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Trigger warning: there’s a landmine below

By Francine & Byron Pirola | November 30, 2018

Over the previous columns we have been exploring how our formation from our family of origin can continue to impact us and our marriage negatively.…

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Incompatible Expectations

By Francine & Byron Pirola | November 1, 2018

I wasn’t Expecting that! Over the last few columns we’ve been exploring how our formation in our family of origin continues to play out throughout…

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It Takes One to Tango

By Francine & Byron Pirola | October 25, 2018

We’ve all heard the saying: it takes two to tango. But is it true that the only way to improve a marriage is if both…

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What’s in a name?

By Francine & Byron Pirola | October 18, 2018

More than you might think When Adam was commissioned by God to name all the animals (Gen 2: 19-20), it established an important idea in…

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Like Parent, Like Child

By Francine & Byron Pirola | October 5, 2018

The most powerful influence on a couple is their family of origin. Good or bad, our experiences in our childhood prepared us for marriage. The…

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Natural Fertility is Just an App Away

By Francine & Byron Pirola | August 9, 2018

It’s now over 50 years since the publication of  Humanae Vitae – one of the more controversial Vatican documents in recent history. This letter, addressed…

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Listening for true understanding

By Francine & Byron Pirola | July 26, 2018

In our previous column, we made the point that marriage is like a contact sport, and that the ‘game’ is more fun, and certainly safer,…

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Three Rules for Engagement

By Francine & Byron Pirola | July 13, 2018

In our marriage seminars, we often say ‘Marriage is a contact sport’. But unlike other sports, in this game, the contestants are on the same…

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From Bad Memories to Blessing

By Francine & Byron Pirola | June 29, 2018

Some time back we were speaking with a divorced friend. As the conversation meandered along she recounted a memory from her marriage as it was…

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Wrangling the Memory Factor

By Francine & Byron Pirola | June 14, 2018

Our memories are a powerful influence on our present wellbeing. Good or bad, old or recent, our past experiences form us into who we are…

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Fall in Love, stay in Love

By Francine & Byron Pirola | May 17, 2018

It was our thirtieth wedding anniversary last month. On the weekend before we took some much-needed time alone with a 24-hour escape into the city.…

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Power and Passion

By Francine & Byron Pirola | May 1, 2018

Christians have a rather unusual perspective on passion. ‘Passion’ Sunday marks the beginning of Holy week and the holiest day in the Church calendar celebrates…

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