tag:heartmyheart.org,2008-02-27:/blog/1505 2008-02-27T13:48:35-06:00 tag:heartmyheart.org,2008-02-27:/blog/1505 2008-02-27T13:48:35-06:00 2008-02-27T13:48:35-06:00 sosterhaus http://heartmyheart.org/profile/p/218 sosterhaus@sbcglobal.net http://heartmyheart.org/user_pic/blog/ <p>This is so <em>exciting</em>.  I am thrilled to have a place where smart women who are looking for ideas, looking to share ideas, or looking to connect can come together. </p> <p>I'd like to tell you a little about what you can expect from this conversation about the "Heart of Relationships," tell you a little about who is writing it, and then will be excited to hear from you with questions or topics you'd like to discuss.</p> <p>Surprise!  We're going to talk about relationships.  But in what way?  We could talk about the physiological impact that our relationships have on our heart health, but that's really all about the impact that any stress has on our hearts.  We could talk about all of the negative relationships we have, but we'd only feel better for a few minutes.  So what I think will be <em>interesting</em> <strong>and</strong> <em>helpful</em> is to talk about some of the different types of relationships that cause us the most stress, and share some helpful ways to improve them, or at manage them better. </p> <p>Some of those relationships are with our <strong>family</strong> members.  Maybe this is our spouse, or parent, or child, or sibling, or the family pet.  Another category of relationships that can cause us stress are our <strong>friends</strong>.  Maybe its a lifelong friend, maybe its an casual friend, maybe its your husband's friend.  Another category of people that cause us stress is our <strong>coworkers</strong>.  Bosses, employees, colleagues, team members - some of whom are great, and some drive us nuts. </p> <p>We'll share tips and stories, ask some thought-provoking questions, provide some education, and maybe create a helpful script or two for a conversation. </p> <p>So a little about me.  My name is Sara, and I'm a 39 year-old manager, therapist, wife, step-mother, daughter, sister, friend, niece, aunt, mom to my two dogs, and woman.  I add that one cause its the one that's just me - not defined by someone else.  I have been blessed with a wonderful family, grown through a challenging divorced, managed through infertility, try to keep up with corporate life, having a counseling practice, trying to be a pretty good wife, and stepmom, and a few other things along the way. </p> <p>I believe people have incredible strength and capacity to grow and change and manage their world, even if they might not believe it.  I believe we all have responsibility in how our relationships impact us.  I believe we always have something to learn.  And believe that how we live in relationships with others has a tremendous physiological impact on the health of our hearts.</p> <p>Looking forward to hearing from you!</p>