I was disappointed in this book.
"When it comes to relationships, everything begins with respect, ..." ok makes sense
"Trust is essential to all good relationships." Again, sounds good.
Acknowledgement. Understanding. Appreciation. Yadayada. All stuff we learned in kindergarten, or should have.
And then this profound statement: "One-sided personal relationships don't last. If one person is always the giver and the other is always the receiver, then the relationship will eventually disintegrate."
Hmm. Maybe that's a good thing?
But what about when they don't? What about those one-sided relationships that just drag on and on? He gave no advice at all about dealing with any "problem" relationships. It was all about, if you do this and this and this, everything will be hunkydory. Really?
This particular advice I found very annoying (a nice story for sure, just annoying advice). "Working to Stay Together:
"Fairly early in our marriage, Margaret and I realized that in my career, I would often have the opportunity to travel. And we decided that any time I got the chance to go someplace interesting or to attend an event that we knew would be exciting, she would come along with me, even when it was difficult financially. We've done a pretty good job of following through on that commitment over the years. Margaret and I, with our kids Elizabeth and Joel Porter, have been to the capitals of Europe, the jungles of South America, the teeming cities of Korea, the rugged outback of Australia, and on safari in South Africa. We've met wonderful people of every race and a multitude of nationalities. We've had the chance to see and do things that will remain in our memories for the rest of our lives. I decided early on what would it profit me to gain the whole world and lose my family?" WOW! What a wonderful opportunity? Family? Life? But how does this help people with relationships that can't travel? Have unappreciative spouses? Or spouses that just can't leave due to careers, family, etc. What about cranky and/or spoiled kids? Or kids that have their own school/sport/hobby commitments? Mr. Maxwell making a decision early on that his family should travel with him is great but even more impressive is that his family was in total agreement with it. I say, lucky him. But do not find this to be helpful "relationship" advice.