Wednesday, June 30, 2010

The Five Languages of Apology in Relationship




The following article was written by New York Times best-selling author Gary Chapman teams with counselor Jennifer Thomas and will solve many problems for many couples and lovers.

Many people do not know how to admit their ofences and say I am sorry.

They will cheat and will never repent.
They will hurt their wife and will never show regret.

They will rather grumble than be humble.
But the more you grumble the more you will continue to stumble.

I want to share it with you.


The Five Languages of Apology





We are experts at wronging each other, but when it comes to setting things right, we all could use some help. New York Times best-selling author Gary Chapman teams with counselor Jennifer Thomas in an eye-opening study of one of the most important yet least understood pillars of human relationships: the apology. Surprisingly, saying “I’m sorry,” isn’t primarily a matter of will—it’s a matter of how.

Expressing Regret

“Expressing Regret” is the Apology Language that zeroes in on emotional hurt. It is an admission of guilt and shame for causing pain to another person. For those who listen for “Expressing Regret” apologies, a simple “I’m sorry” is all they look for. There is no need for explanation or “pay back” provided the apology has truly come from the heart. “Expressing Regret” is a powerful Apology Language because it gets right to the point. It doesn’t make excuses or attempt to deflect blame. Above all, “Expressing Regret” takes ownership of the wrong. For that reason, “Expressing Regret” is understood as a sincere commitment to repair and rebuild the relationship. The “Expressing Regret” Apology Language speaks most clearly when the person offering the apology reflects sincerity not only verbally, but also through body language. Unflinching eye contact and a gentle, but firm touch are two ways that body language can underscore sincerity.

Accept Responsibility

It is very difficult for some people to admit that they’re wrong. It makes them doubt their self-worth, and no one likes to be portrayed as a failure. However, as adults, we must all admit that we are sinners and that we will make mistakes. We are going to make poor decisions that hurt our mates, and we are going to have to admit that we were wrong. We have to accept responsibility for our own failures. For many individuals, all they want is to hear the words, “I am wrong.” If the apology neglects accepting responsibility for their actions, many partners will not feel as though the apology was meaningful and sincere. Many partners need to learn how to overcome their ego, the desire to not be viewed as a failure, and simply admit that their actions were wrong. For a mate who speaks this apology language, if an apology does not admit fault, it is not worth hearing. Being sincere in your apology means allowing yourself to be weak, and admitting that you make mistakes. Though this may be hard to do for some people, it makes a world of a difference to your partner who speaks this language.

Make Restitution

In our society, many people believe that wrong acts demand justice. The one who commits the crime should pay for their wrongdoing. A mate who speaks this love language feels the same way towards apologies. They believe that in order to be sincere, the person who is apologizing should justify their actions. The mate who’s been hurt simply wants to hear that their mate still loves them.

There are many effective ways to demonstrate sincerity in an apology. Each mate must learn the other’s love language in order to complete the act of restitution. Though some mates may feel a though all is forgotten with a bouquet of flowers, that may not necessarily work for all mates. Every mate should uncover what their partner’s main love language is (Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Acts of Service, Physical Touch, and Receiving Gifts) and use that specific language in order to make restitutions in the most effective way.

For a mate whose primary apology language is making restitutions, no matter how often you say “I’m sorry”, or “I was wrong”, your mate will never find the apology sincere. You must show strong efforts for making amends. A genuine apology will be accompanied by the assurance that you still love your mate 
and have a desire to right the wrong-doings committed.

Genuinely Repent

For some individuals, repentance is the convincing factor in an apology. Some mates will doubt the sincerity of an apology if it is not accompanied by their partner’s desire to modify their behavior to avoid 
the situation in the future.

It’s important to remember that all true repentance begins in the heart. A mate must feel poorly for hurting their loved one, and rely on God’s help in order to truly change. Admitting you are wrong creates vulnerability. It allows your mate to get a glimpse of your heart. The glimpse of true self is assurance that the apology was sincere.

One important aspect of genuinely repenting is verbalizing your desire to change. Your mate cannot read your mind. Though you may be trying to change inside, if you do not verbalize your desire to change to your mate, most likely they will still be hurt.

Many people have problems with repenting when they do not feel as though their actions were morally wrong. However, in a healthy relationship, we often make changes that have nothing to do with morality and everything to do with building a harmonious marriage.

It is also important to make a dedicated plan for change. Often apologies involving repentance fail because the person never set up steps of action to help ensure success. A person must first set goals for their change. After you create realistic goals, then you can start implementing a plan to change. Taking baby steps towards repentance instead of insisting on changing all at once will increase your chances of successfully changing your ways.

It is important to remember that change is hard. Constructive change does not mean we will immediately be successful. There will be highs and lows on the road to change. You must remember that with God’s help, anyone can change their ways if they are truly and genuinely ready to repent.

Request Forgiveness

In some relationships, a mate wants to hear their partner physically ask for forgiveness. They want assurance that their mate recognizes the need for forgiveness. By asking forgiveness for their actions, a partner is really asking their mate to still love them. Requesting forgiveness assures your mate that you want to see the relationship fully restored. It also proves to your mate that you are sincerely sorry for what you’ve done. It shows that you realize you’ve done something wrong. Requesting forgiveness also shows that you are willing to put the future of the relationship in the hands of the offended mate. You are leaving the final decision up to your partner – to forgive or not forgive.

Requesting forgiveness is not easy. It often leaves one vulnerable to the fear of rejection. Along with the fear of rejection is the fear of failing. Many people have a hard time seeking forgiveness because it means admitting that you have failed. The only way to overcome this fear is to recognize that it is very common amongst mankind. The commonality makes it okay to be a failure. It allows a stubborn mate to apologize to their partner and become a healthy individual.

Ultimately, it’s important to remember that there is a difference between asking for forgiveness and DEMANDING forgiveness. When we demand forgiveness, we tend to forget the nature of forgiveness. Forgiveness is a choice the offended party is supposed to make. Demanding forgiveness takes away the sincerity of asking for it.

Remember not to treat forgiveness lightly. It is something to be cherished and appreciated. The act of forgiveness is hard on both ends – for the person who’s asking and for the person who’s accepting.

More




The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts ~ Gary Chapman

The Five Love Languages of Children ~ Gary Chapman

The Marriage You've Always Wanted ~ Gary Chapman

The Five Love Languages Singles Edition ~ Gary Chapman

The Heart of the Five Love Languages ~ Gary Chapman

Anger: Handling a Powerful Emotion in a Healthy Way ~ Gary Chapman

Desperate Marriages: Moving Toward Hope and Healing in Your Relationship ~ Gary Chapman

The Four Seasons of Marriage ~ Gary Chapman

Everybody Wins: The Chapman Guide to Solving Conflicts without Arguing (Chapman Guides) ~ Gary Chapman


Hope For the Separated: Wounded Marriages Can Be Healed (Chapman, Gary) ~ Gary Chapman



Friday, June 25, 2010

Tyra Banks Wants To Know Your Dream!



Hey Michael Chima,
It's all about dreaming big this week! On the cover, I'm wearing Zoë Damacela, a clothing designer who's only 17!! Her dream was to be a designer, what's yours? Tell me in the Dream Vault! I can't wait to read all of them.
Fierce & Love,
Tyra


Friday, June 18, 2010

Top New York City Plus-Size Model Agency Celebrates Curves


IPM MODEL MANAGEMENT MODELSPlus Size Models Sizzle in this Year's Hottest Carmen Marc Valvo 2010 Swimsuit Collection. Relaunching IPM Model Management 10/20 Division. (PRNewsFoto/IPM Model Management)

17 Jun 2010 17:00 Africa/Lagos


Top New York City Plus-Size Model Agency Celebrates Curves

NEW YORK, June 17 /PRNewswire/ -- IPM Model Management, Inc., a premier plus-size agency located in the heart of one of the world's leading fashion capitals, is rewriting the rules for the plus-size modeling industry.


(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100617/NY21387 )
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100617/NY21387 )


IPM Model Management is working on its re-launch to demonstrate its commitment to plus models. Currently, the agency represents an impressive group of models from all backgrounds and ethnicities, including two models from the popular reality television show, America's Next Top Model.


The agency pairs models with fashion industry leaders like Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Elena Miro, Lane Bryant, House of Dereon and Ashley Stewart. It also works with magazines such as O Magazine, Essence and Glamour, to name a few.


"IPM Model Management is my go-to choice agency when I'm looking for beautiful professional, true-to-size, curvy models," says Raquel Boler, booking editor at Essence magazine.


IPM models have appeared in campaigns and shoot for Redcats, Ali, Junonia, Torrid, Baby Phat, Ashley Stewart, Slim Fast, Vanity Fair, and has worked with dozens of other high-profile clients.


This dynamic plus-size modeling agency has also landed talent contracts in films such as Bewitched, I Am Legend, Knowing and American Gangster. Television appearances are numerous and include: All My Children, The Today show, The View , Good Morning America, Ugly Betty, Mercy, Lipstick Jungle, Sex and the City and more.


"When my clients request plus-size models, IPM is my agency of choice," says Chantelle Fraser of New York's Flawless Event Staffing and Casting. "It's the best specialty agency in New York."


The agency continues to seek fresh faces for its spring and summer roster.

About IPM Model Management


For more than 20 years, Fallon Sinclair has worked in the fashion industry. Prior to founding IPM Model Management in 2001, she began modeling on the local circuit as a plus-sized runway model where a successful career was launched. She signed on with the legendary Elite Model Agency in Chicago and also went on to create and direct the plus size division at Ikon Model Management.


IPM Model Management provides top, plus-size models to the fashion and entertainment industries. It's committed to maintaining a reputation that is synonymous with style and fashion through its innovative approach to talent acquisition and to focusing on long-term partnerships that are beneficial to both talent and clients. The company also maintains offices in Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles.


Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100617/NY21387
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN2
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100617/NY21387
Source: IPM Model Management

CONTACT: Fallon Sinclair of IPM Model Management, +1-212-213-1977,
IPM@IPMModels.com



Thursday, June 10, 2010

How To Spot a Player



How To Spot a Player

Avoid getting ambushed by the ruthless player. Here's how to identify the traits of this predatory species.


© 2010 Howcast, Inc.



Monday, June 07, 2010

Cheating is Killing


Photo Credit: Tradebit


The SECURITY of a COUPLE depends on their FIDELITY.
Anyone who cheats on you can as well kill you.


Let me be very blunt, because if anyone truly loves you he or she will never cheat on you.

Infidelity is an act of betrayal.
Adultery is treachery.

Imagine a young woman who was homeless and starving and a single man took her in to provide for her.
Then she met another man and slept with him within 48 hours without even asking for a drink. Whilst she was sleeping with the new man, the boyfriend was waiting for her, because she locked the door to their flat and went away with the keys to sleep with another man.
I was dumb founded when I saw her telling lies to her boyfriend.
She was one of my models and I dismissed her on that very day for cheating on her boyfriend.

A young woman once called that she wanted to see me at my place at 10 pm.
"Have you told your boyfriend?"
The boyfriend is a good friend.
"No," she replied.
"Please, tell him and let him escort you," I said.
She did not come again and she never tried again.

Another young woman asked for money to register for a contest and I told her to let her boyfriend know.
"I don't want him to know, because he would not allow me to go for the contest," she said.
"Well, I cannot give you any money without his knowledge," I replied.
She left and stopped talking to me for a while.
Two months later she returned and wanted to flirt. But I showed her the photograph of my woman and told her how much I loved my sweetheart.
She sighed and left.

Temptations will come. But you can turn your back on cheating and lying.

Your life is worth saving than some temporary pleasures of sexual intercourse.

If you know you cannot be faithful to your partner, please make it clear and be free in an open relationship of free love.
Love is not by force.

Infidelity kills.



Friday, June 04, 2010

Grammy® Award-winning Rapper T.I. Comes Back At 2010 BET Awards


T.I.

3 Jun 2010 22:05 Africa/Lagos


Grammy® Award-Winning Rapper T.I. Takes Center Stage for Long Awaited Comeback Performance at the BET AWARDS '10

R&B Singer John Legend to Receive Humanitarian Award

NEW YORK, June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Every year BET brings you the hottest awards show on cable television and this year will be no different. Hosted by entertainment superstar Queen Latifah with performances by Nicki Minaj, Drake, Trey Songz and Diddy-Dirty Money the BET AWARDS '10 promises to bring the house down!

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070716/BETNETWORKSLOGO )


"King of the South." Multi-platinum, rap heavyweight T.I.

Newly added to the line-up is the highly anticipated and explosive return of the "King of the South." Multi-platinum, rap heavyweight T.I. will hit the stage in his first, televised performance since his release. BET is pulling out all the stops this year bringing you the biggest and best in music, sports, television, and entertainment.


Six-time GRAMMY® Award-winning artist and philanthropist John Legend will be awarded the 2010 Humanitarian Award for his work to end poverty through education.


It's impossible to contain that much star power and entertainment into one night. In celebration, BET will highlight some of the greatest moments from the past nine BET AWARDS in a one-hour special titled, "Smash!! The Best of the BET Awards," premiering on June 14 at 10:00 P.M.* Full performances from "Smash!! The Best of the BET Awards" will be available on BET.com/BETAwards.


Do you remember when Monique did Crazy in Love? What about the reunion of the girl groups TLC and SWV? How about when Usher defied gravity by dancing on the wall? Or Michael Jackson with James Brown? All of these moments and more took place on the BET AWARDS stage! The show will not only feature clips from past shows, but also behind-the-scenes commentary from the celebrities and staff who made many of these unforgettable moments possible. It's going to be an hour that you won't want to miss.


Best International Act
----------------------
Kojo Antwi (Ghana)
Chipmunk (UK)
Dizzee Rascal (UK)
Estelle (UK)
Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP)
(South Africa)
K'NAAN (Somalia)
M.I. (Nigeria)
P-Square (Nigeria)
Corinne Bailey Rae (UK)
Sade (UK)


The BET AWARDS '10 will broadcast live from the Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium on Sunday, June 27, 2010 at 8:00 P.M.*


BET INTERNATIONAL will also premiere the BET AWARDS in the 54 countries across the UK, Middle East and Africa on Saturday, July 3, 2010 at 7:00 P.M. GMT; 8:00 P.M. BST; 9:00 P.M. CAT; 10:00 P.M. KSA.


BET has once again teamed with Cossette Productions, the famed producers of the GRAMMY® Awards and the nine record-setting BET AWARDS shows, to handle production of the telecast. Stephen Hill, President, Music Programming and Specials, BET Networks, along with Lynne Harris-Taylor, Vice President of Specials, BET Networks, will executive produce the telecast.


Additionally, BET has secured a deal with the Upfront Market Group who will be providing a 360 degree camera for extra glitz and glamour for the BET AWARDS red carpet coverage.


For continuous BET AWARDS '10 updates, please visit: http://www.bet.com/betawards. Stay on the pulse of any and everything relating to the BET AWARDS '10 through our Twitter page at www.twitter.com/BETAWARDS (hash tag: #BETAWARDS) and Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/TheBETAwards.


*all times ET/PT

About BET Networks


BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom, Middle East & Africa and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.


Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070716/BETNETWORKSLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: BET Networks

CONTACT: Simone Smalls, Simone Smalls PR, Inc., +1-917-388-3890,
simone@simonesmallspr.com; Michelle Huff, Huff Events & PR, +1-212-239-1732,
michelle@huffent.com; Charlie Guadano, Simone Smalls PR, Inc.,
+1-917-388-3889, charlie@simonesmallspr.com; Marcy Polanco, BET Networks,
+1-212-975-4048, marcy.polanco@bet.net; Voncella McIntosh, BET Networks,
+1-310-481-3732, voncella.mcintosh@bet.net


Web Site: http://www.bet.com/


CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE LIST OF BET AWARDS '10 NOMINEES AND CATEGORIES