Couples in Trouble Relationship Coach Jackie Black, Ph.D. Offers Timely Tips to Reignite the Spark Without Torching the House or the Marriage

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- For men and women stuck in the logistical ruts of their lives as husbands, wives, life partners, and taxi services to kids, life may not be all wine and roses for Valentine's Day.

Relationship Coach and Marriage Intervention Catalyst Dr. Jackie Black says, "Let's face it. The path to wine and roses can take a sharp detour from 'happily ever after' to 'game over' at dirty laundry, flu symptoms, and bills."

To head off this potential collision and to transform from the day-to-day rut of family living to rediscover the spark of appreciation that brought partners together at the start, Dr. Black offers these practical strategies and timeless tips.

#1 Make a gift of your time and energy.

If he takes Fido out for his 10 p.m. walk every night, offer to do it for him the next four nights. If taking the trash cans to the curb is his job, take this task on for the next week to give him a break. Tell her that you are going to take the kids away Saturday morning so she can have the house to herself for several hours and then meet up for lunch somewhere at noon. Don't miss the sweetness and the joy you will both experience by reaching out and connecting with each other from the center of your being and the bottom of your heart. That's the real meaning of Valentine's Day.

#2 Relationships are like bank accounts. If you keep pulling money out without making deposits, bankruptcy is certain.

What does the balance sheet of your love life look like? Relationships are living breathing entities. Your investment of deliberate intention, and focused time, energy and attention is the order of the day. Your relationship can't wait until it is convenient for you, the to-do list is done, or you are at leisure. Relationships grow and flourish when both people show up and make consistent deposits. One person alone, even if that one person makes huge deposits, cannot build and maintain a joyful, satisfying relationship for both.

#3 The most romantic place on Earth resides within you. These destinations live within your imagination, your heart, body, and spirit. Put your heads together and build a list of all the romantic activities you can engage in without ever leaving your house. Love and romance reside inside you. The time is now to be intentional and deliberate about connecting and having fun together. Sensual pleasures like food (cooking together, a picnic in bed or on the back porch or patio), listening to music, reading books and watching movies, cuddling up near a cozy fire, or offering each other a foot massage are just a few of the ways to spend quality time together, connect, and have fun. Use your imagination. Create romance wherever you are, and start today. You never know what tomorrow brings. This might be trite and corny, but it is truer than you know. It's Valentine's Day. Give yourself the gift of each other and enjoy.

About Couples in Trouble Relationship Coach Dr. Jackie Black

Dr. Jackie Black is an internationally recognized relationship expert and coach who serves couples in trouble who are serious about doing what it takes to stay together through her destination marriage intervention intensives and couples coaching. Named by COSMOPOLITAN magazine as one of their most beloved international love gurus, Dr. Jackie knows that love is NOT enough. Dr. Jackie is a frequent guest expert on radio stations throughout the U.S. and Canada and on Internet radio; and is regularly cited in major magazines in the U.S. and abroad. To interview Dr. Jackie Black, engage her to speak, and/or to access her special report offering 3 Fast and Fun Ways to Reignite the Spark, visit www.drjackieblack.com today.

SOURCE Dr. Jackie Black