"The goal in marriage is not to think alike, but to think together." - Robert C. Dodds

Do you know how some people believe that you in order to get along you have to think just like the other person? Well the good news is you do not have to think alike, you just need to learn to think together.

Where in the world did we get the idea that in order to have a successful relationship two people have to think exactly alike. Think about it, two people with different life experiences from two different families are going to agree on everything...?

I don't think so. This expectation causes many problems for couples though.

If both people think exactly alike on all things, then one of them is expendable.

While it is nice and necessary to agree on some thing, the good news is that we do not always have to think alike.

We do, however, need to learn to think together in order to have a sustainable long term relationship.

An important part of this is taking the strengths of one person and the strengths of another person, and blending them together in a way that makes the two of them stronger together than either could be alone.

Jeff Herring

Jeff is a marriage and family therapist, singles and relationship coach, mentor coach, speaker, syndicated relationship columnist and author.

Jeff has a full time private practice in Tallahassee in which he specializes in couples, teen and parent counseling. He also is a relationship coach specializing in working with couples and singles. Some of his professional activities include:

==> Internationally syndicated relationship columnist through Knight-Ridder/Tribune Media Services, with a weekly readership of over 10 million worldwide

==> Sought after speaker for organizations, associations, churches, and corporations

==>Twice weekly appearances on The Steve and Sara Show on Magic 107.1

==> Author of "Keep the Changes: 52 Tools for Successful Living" a collection of his best columns, as well as several e-books including "How to Create a Passionate and Loving Relationship.........Forever," "How to Beat the BOZOs: Dealing with difficult people without becoming one," and "Tame Your Teen: THE survival guide for parenting your teenager.

==> Founder and CEO of TheArticleGuy.com

==> Founder and CEO of SecretsofGreatRelationships.com

==> Founder and CEO of ParentingYourTeeanger.com

==> Founder and CEO of ToolsforSuccessfulLiving.com

==> President of BuildingYourIdealPractice.com

==> President of ConsciousDatingTallahassee.com