We often see our romantic relationships in a vacuum, impacting only our own lives. However, how often do we look outside the world of our senses and ponder what do our children see and learn from us about relationships?

We all know adults in their 30's, 40's and beyond who's spirits struggle from family infidelity, desertion, domestic violence, sexual abuse and criminality. Early exposure to these kinds experiences not only influence the types of people we find ourselves coupled with, but shape concepts of love, intimacy, sexuality, and committment creating a cycle of disillusionment and even ruined lives. Maggie Scarf, in her book Intimate Worlds says "..."our childrens' lives speak our truth." I would suggest that we all look at our relationships and reflect is this "the truth" we wish to leave, that may take a lifetime for our children to resolve.

When choosing a partner, do we choose them for their life style? Or, do we choose them for who they are, and how they allow us to live in accord with our deepest desires and wishes?

Is everyone we meet cut out for a committed relationship? Are we? Are we making choices out of social convention/pressure, rather than a reflection of our readiness? Once we love ourselves, people no longer look good to us, unless they are good for us, I believe..
What's your thinking....

<strong>What's Love Got To Do With It‚has become so common a phrase that it has become a clich?©. But really, how does love fit into a relationship. Let start by trying to define love, the Oxford Dictionary's definitions of love are ‚an intense feeling of deep affection, sexual passion, sexual relations, a beloved one, a sweetheart, a form of address, a person of whom one is fond and the list goes on. Then there is to fall in love, for the love of, there's a love affair, a love child, a love feat, a love game, a love letter, a love life, a love match, seat, nest, to make love and of course, out of love. But isn't love in a new relationship the end result of a process more than the process itself?

Love & Intimacy: Getting It and Keeping It!

It is assumed that love and intimacy are naturally a part of a committed relationship. But are they really? Love is more than a good feeling and intimacy is more than sex. Do these concepts hold the same meanings for each partner? Do our concepts of Love and Intimacy say more about who we are than the quality of our relationships? How are these concepts influenced by such social forces as the media and religion? Has what we believe love and intimacy to be brought the fulfillment we seek in our relationships? The FLOW and our panel of experts will explore Love & Intimacy: Is it real or imagined in your relationship?

Sex, Religion and Spirituality: Reconciling our Sexual and Spiritual Selves

Where do our notions regarding sex and sexuality come from, our initial caregivers, religion, social conditioning or just a conflicting mix? Is our sexuality basic to who we are or is it to be defined only within the confines of a relationship? How did sex become a Pandora's box separate from a meaningful spiritual life. How do our sexual attitudes impact our relationships? The FLOW will explore how both historical and current attitudes towards sex and sexuality shape the character of our relationships. It's deeper than you think!