"The truth that makes men free is for most part truth which men prefer not to hear." Herbert Agar

It may not be exactly what you want to hear, but I think this is especially true when it comes to relationships. The more emotional situation the more truth there seems to be in that quote.

Are you wondering just what this has to do with small business resources?

If you've read my other articles on this topic you already know what direction I'm taking you in-) I am a small business advocate that encourages its use as a platform for learning lessons of responsibility, best part of ambition...I want everyone to know what it feels like to dedicate each day to giving expression and focus to your passion!

I encourage those of you crying because some person didn't love you as much as you wanted to pay special attention. If you know someone in that boat, send them a link to this article.

There is an element of "you are alone" that we must all confront and accept as a part of life, instead of constantly seeking validation of that reality's denial.

No one else can enter your pain with you, nor can they fully enter your joy. Those are internal experiences. Not even most ideal partnership can spare you from that reality.

Discovering person you love is not who you thought can feel like a kick has landed in your chest. Among unfortuate side effects are loss of appetite, insomnia, constant weeping, etc.

But what do you do when you're tired of crying because it feels like your eyes will pop out? Or when you're just sick of feeling sorry for yourself. No amount of crying will change what has happened.

When my husband and I picked up Kristina up morning after, we asked, "Well? Was it fun? Did anyone get scared? Anyone call their parents?"

"The only one who got scared was Diane."

"At her own party? Why?"

"She told us ghost stories. And then SHE was awake all night." Kristina rolled her eyes. "She thinks ghosts are real."

Kids aren't only ones who tell themselves scary stories-and believe them. When you have a partner, a child, a colleague, or a boss who's driving you crazy, chances are that it's not what they are actually doing that's getting under your skin. It's your story.

One kind of story that can cause a lot of havoc in a relationship is an all or nothing story.

Have you ever felt restless and bored as you looked at your calendar and realized you have no social events planned? And then sighed to yourself, "We live such a boring life. We never do anything fun." Well, it's possible that you are only couple on planet who absolutely NEVER does anything fun. But chances are that you are completely forgetting about that movie you went to two weeks ago. It's probably more realistic to say that you're not getting out as much as you would like to. But if you convince yourself that your whole life is boring, you (and your partner) could end up feeling too demoralized to take action to pep up your social life!

Or, say your husband is mad because while you were tidying up kitchen, you accidentally buried that important report from work that he's been looking for.

You think, "I'm always causing trouble for him. I must be a real drag to live with. I don't even know why he wants to be with me."

Now you're prepped to see any complaint by your husband as a sign that he doesn't want to be with you. You'll probably react with anger that's out of proportion to situation. And things will go downhill pretty quickly from there.

In reality, your husband can be absolutely furious with you at this moment and still love you to pieces. In fact, it's most natural thing in world. Life isn't black or white; it comes in all shades of grey. And all or nothing stories are every bit as imaginary as children's ghost stories.