The Good, The Bad, The Relationship

I especially appreciated Deborah's thought-provoking questions at the end of each chapter which act to ensure that the gist of the chapter is fully understood. I also enjoyed working through her Suggestions. Stenton does a good job of explaining the need for openness between partners via her analogy of Jack and Jill and the after effects of Jill's abusive family history. Their relationship begins to deteriorate primarily because each fails to see the past issues the other carries along with them. Relationships can be complicated things; however, Stenton's text helps to clarify those things that partners can do to keep their relationships relatively free of conflict and maintain them as things of joy and harmony. The Good, The Bad, The Relationship is highly recommended.

Deborah Stenton's The Good, The Bad, The Relationship is not only aimed at helping to promote and resolve issues within a current relationship, but is also a useful tool for self reflection, allowing a reader to critically assess their own attitudes, hold ups, and reasons for past relationship failures, and acknowledge how they contributed and take steps to ensure they don't self-sabotage, not only themselves but any of their relationships. It builds a foundation of understanding that can be applied to future relationships, or help save failing ones. It gives the reader power to take responsibility and work towards a better one. The presentation of this book makes it an easily accessible reference; it explains possible feelings and observations, asks questions, and makes suggestions. Deborah Stenton makes a lot of sense, and I can see this work making a difference to those who find themselves reading it.

The Good, The Bad, The Relationship by Deborah Stenton is a thought-provoking book about relationships amongst adults, though it could apply to other friendships and business relationships, as well. There are several motivational gems that I want to hang on my mirror to look at first thing in the morning, including: “Remember, unless you choose to evolve, nothing changes.” Just as a mast guides and moves a ship, Stenton uses the metaphor to describe how relationships progress and move forward. She provides a chart with positive stages on the right and negative stages on the left. Starting with unconditional love, Stenton describes it as the foundation of love and acceptance. She reminds us that in a union, each of us not only brings ourselves into the relationship, but all the unresolved baggage from our past. “If you love yourself, people will be attracted to you, because you will radiate a calm sense of compassionate understanding,” she reminds us.

The Good, The Bad, The Relationship by Deborah Stenton is an insightful and uplifting read that speaks about relationships, the possibilities, and effects of relationships. The techniques in the book will help readers understand that only a five-degree turn is required to make positive changes in life, and the tips shared make it easy to navigate through the stages listed by the author. The book is a useful tool in resolving situations in life without bringing in more conflict, and handling problems in a calmer way. The stages of unconditional love, union, fulfillment, first hint of disappointment, betrayal, false illusion, separation, and paradise help readers to examine the lives they are leading and make the necessary changes to reach paradise.

Stenton's approach is very short and succinct. Her format is very easy to read and to follow. Many self help books go on and on, but Stenton gets straight to the point and the heart of the matter. Her questions at the end help the reader focus on what really matters in each chapter, and I found the book to be very helpful in getting to the problems that we all face in relationships. I would highly recommend her book to anyone - as we all deal with relationships on a constant basis. If everyone were to understand her principles in each chapter or step of her mast, there would be more happier, healthier relationships.