MSI Press Blog

Marriage often begins with intense feelings of romance, novelty, and discovery. Two people spend hours talking, sharing dreams, learning each other's preferences, and enjoying the excitement of a new relationship. Yet many couples discover that, over time, intimacy seems to fade. This can be discouraging, especially when partners mistakenly assume that declining intimacy means declining love. In reality, the causes are often more complex and more manageable than they appear. One reason intimacy diminishes is familiarity. Human beings are naturally drawn to novelty. In the early stages of a relationship, every conversation reveals something new. Over the years, however, partners may come to believe they already know everything there is to know about one another. Curiosity declines. Conversations become focused on daily logistics rather than personal growth, dreams, fears, or aspirations. The relationship can gradually shift from discovery to routine. The pressures of adult life also...

  Marriage is one of the few relationships in life where we are invited to be fully known and fully accepted. While love, commitment, and shared goals help sustain a marriage, intimacy is often what transforms it from a practical partnership into a deep and meaningful bond. Many people hear the word intimacy and immediately think of physical affection. While physical closeness is certainly one part of intimacy, the concept is much broader. Intimacy is the sense of connection that allows two people to share their thoughts, feelings, fears, hopes, and daily lives in ways they do not share with others. Healthy marriages are built on multiple forms of intimacy, each contributing to the strength of the relationship. Emotional Intimacy: The Foundation Emotional intimacy is the ability to be vulnerable with one another. It develops when spouses feel safe expressing both their joys and their struggles without fear of criticism or rejection. A husband who admits his worries about work, or ...

  Marriage is often imagined as a sanctuary — a place of safety, companionship, and shared purpose. But even sanctuaries require maintenance. In 2026, marriage carries new pressures: dual careers, digital distractions, shifting expectations of equality and independence. Inner peace within marriage is not automatic; it’s cultivated through awareness, boundaries, and grace. 1. Marriage mirrors the inner self The person we marry becomes a mirror of our own emotional landscape. Their reactions reflect our habits; their silence echoes our fears. Peace in marriage begins not with changing the other, but with understanding what their presence reveals about us. The more self-aware we become, the less reactive we are. 2. Marriage tests patience and forgiveness No one lives in harmony all the time. Differences in temperament, priorities, and communication styles create friction. Peace grows when we learn to pause before responding, to forgive before forgetting, and to see conflict as a chanc...

  Awesome Couple Communication resulted from one of those unusual situations in which the publisher saw a gap in the literature and suggested to Dr. Patt Pickett, also author of the multi-award-winning book, The Marriage Whisperer , that she might expand one very helpful and insightful (indeed, brilliant) section of The Marriage Whisperer into a book in its own right. She did, and Awesome Couple Communication is the outcome. And here is a description of the outcome (book): A spin-off of "Dr. Patt's" award-winning book,  The Marriage Whisperer ,  Awesome Couple Communication  presents In simple, jargon-free language and with clear examples,14 couples with communication challenges. Dr. Patt describes the source of the miscommunication and presents suggestions for other couples in similar circumstances to follow in moving from awful communication to the awesome communication level. Calling upon Emotional Intelligence Theory and her own "Pickett's Pyramid of Possi...

Just a list -- the titles, covers, and awards speak for themselves. Click the title link for additional information. 57 Steps to Paradise A Movie Lover's Search for Romance Awesome Couple Communication Divorced! How to Live from Your Heart The Marriage Whisperer The Rose and the Sword Understanding the Analyst Understanding the Critic Understanding the Entrepreneur Understanding the People around You Understanding the Seeker