Article: During a heated argument, it can be tempting to say some hurtful things. Instead of attacking with your words, carefully select what you want to say and make it a constructive message. You can still speak your mind and express yourself honestly, so long as you aren't using your message to hurt your partner. Use "I" statements such as "I feel...." or "I would like..." Ask for input. Say something like "What do you think about..." Listen carefully and openly to anything your spouse might say. Be honest and speak your mind in a calm and fair manner. When things get too emotional, a discussion might turn into a shouting competition. Yelling at one another will do another but cause harm to the relationship. Loud outbursts should be avoided at all costs when trying to improve your marriage. Yelling will not convey any useful message you may have hoped to get across. You are allowed to have and feel emotions. However, they cannot become angry outbursts during a discussion. If one person tries to make all the choices in a relationship, it can lead to the other party feeling dis-empowered or undervalued. Choices that can involve both people, should. Try to keep both your own and your spouse's needs in mind when discussing any plans. Work towards options that are best for both partners. Don't try to force a choice to get your way. Decisions should be cooperative, not competitive. Whenever your spouse is talking to you, practicing active listening can help her feel like she is being heard. You will be able to more fully engage in a conversation with your spouse by carefully listening to what she is saying and giving cues that you are paying attention. Restate things your spouse has said. "I just want to make sure I understood..." Summarize what you heard. "It sounds like..." Use encouragers like "oh", "I see", or "mmhmm" Validate what is being said. "I'm glad you brought this up." Allow for silences. Don't jump in the moment your spouse is done talking. Passive-aggressive behavior is when you may act nicely to a person, while feeling resentful and working in secret to undermine her. Often times, being afraid of direct conflict or expressing one's feelings can result in passive-aggressive behavior. By avoiding engaging in passive-aggressive behavior, you can help reduce the harm that it can cause to your marriage. Watch your behavior and try to find what causes you to act passive-aggressively. Practice being assertive and honest with your negative feelings. Realize that being passive-aggressive is a form of lying. Keep in mind that it's perfectly normal and healthy to have disagreements.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Speak constructively. Avoid yelling. Make decisions together. Actively listen. Avoid being passive-aggressive.
Article: Many people like using old photos for this project, but you can use any photo you want. Look for old photos at thrift stores, antique stores, or garage sales, or choose photos from your own collection. If you're using a photo that's important to you and you're afraid of messing up, make a paper photocopy of the photo to try out your ideas before permanently changing the photograph. Mix some watercolors with a small amount of water so that they're nice and bright. Apply color carefully to the lighter or white parts of a black and white photo in any way that you want. Don't be afraid to make the colors weird if that's what you want to do. Make people have green skin, make the sky red, etc. Use colored or black ink to modify your photo by adding shapes, designs, or words. Black ink drawings look nice over colored photos, while colored ink looks great on black and white, sepia, or monochrome photos. Try giving people word bubbles like in comics, or add stars over their eyes. Or add to the background of a photo with lots of different shapes and designs. Take any colored photograph and change the colors by outlining a part of it in a different color of paint pen, pastel, or acrylic paint. Or use black and white photos to add color. Add shapes and designs in any way that you like with your paint, paint pen, or pastel to change the original photo as much as you like. Similar to collage, you can glue a variety of objects on top of any photograph to add embellishments. You can do this in conjunction with changing the photos with painting or drawing, or do this on its own. Remember your only limit is your own imagination.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Choose some photographs to alter. Try watercolor on a black and white photo to make it pop. Add shapes, designs, or text in ink on a photo to create a brand new image. Change the colors and details of a photograph with paint pens, pastels, or acrylics. Add glitter, newspaper clippings, or pressed flowers to make your photos 3D.