Preparation is Priceless

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Hurricanes Happen

I live on Florida's Gulf coast, where hurricanes come in all shapes and sizes. Some are worse than others, but they are never welcome or pleasant. And, while much about them is beyond our control, when a storm is brewing, the name of the game is preparation. Emergency supplies (and a plan for using them) can make a world of difference.

Back in 2017, Debbie and I had just moved to Florida from Virginia. We were newly settling in when Hurricane Irma set her sights on us...I mean, we were in the crosshairs. To be on the safe side, we evacuated. Before leaving, I prepared our property as best I could. However (I'm embarrassed to admit this) in all the turmoil of moving and resettling, I had forgotten to purchase renter's insurance. It had just slipped my mind until two days before Irma arrived and, by then, no insurance carrier would dare write a new policy for anyone in harm's way. I wasn't just embarrassed; I was ashamed. We could have lost everything because I failed to prepare.

Thank God, Irma swerved at the last minute and we dodged a bullet. But, I very nearly learned the hard way that preparation is priceless and I swore to do my best never to be in that position again.

Be Prepared

Preparation is priceless in lots of cases. It's especially true when it comes to relationships. When we first fall in love, we bask in the glow of what feels perfect and permanent. We can't imagine our partner hurting us or letting us down. And when that happens (and it always does) we're totally unprepared. Ready or not, conflict with the one we love is not a matter of if, but when. It's as inevitable as it is inconceivable.

And too many couples don't know what to do when it happens. They fall into negative patterns of conflict that become automatic, repetitious and destructive. These patterns seem to take us over. When you and your partner cross wires and the sparks fly, do you ever think to yourself, "Here we go again..."? and there's almost nothing you can do to prevent it. It's discouraging and depressing. You feel like a failure at the most important thing in life--love. When everything you do to fix it fails or only makes things worse, you begin to feel hopeless. Some couples throw in the towel.

It Happens to Us All

If that's you, at least know that you aren't alone. But, there's hope. It's possible to break those negative cycles. Conflict (and how we manage it) may be painful, but we can learn not only to understand it; we can change it. We can make sense of what so often doesn't. And that is what couples learn at a Hold Me Tight®️ couples retreat. They learn from attachment science and the tenets of Emotionally Focused Therapy, the gold standard for healthy relationships.

Hold Me Tight Will Prepare You

At Hold Me Tight®️, you will learn what both you and your partner truly need and how to give it. You will learn how to heal old wounds and connect in ways that perhaps you never imagined. Hold Me Tight®️ is a low key group experience. Couples go at their own pace. Hold Me Tight®️ is not therapy. No one is put on the spot. Hold Me Tight®️ is safe. You will find how much you have in common with other couples facing the same challenges and struggles.

And most of all, you'll gain the confidence that you are equipped and prepared for the unexpected. You'll learn that you can grow closer and stronger as a couple even (especially) when you hit those inevitable bumps in the road. You'll know what to do and how to do it.

Have a Plan That You Know How to Use

The storms of life are inevitable, even in love. It's never fun. But, it doesn't have to blow you away. Preparation is priceless. Safeguard your love at Hold Me Tight®️. In just two days, you can truly change the most important relationship in your world.

But, don't take my word for it. Come see for yourself. Our next workshop is just a few weeks away in beautiful Orlando, FL. All the details are on this website.

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Have a Safety Plan

When You Hit Turbulence

By Mark Beck • December 16, 2024

Now and then, I travel by air. I enjoy it, for the most part. But, on one trip, seemingly out of nowhere, the plane hit heavy turbulence. Suddenly, the cabin was shuttering and shaking. I looked outside; the wings were visibly bouncing up and down as the plane lurched and pitched. I tried to hide my fear, but (pardon the pun) it really shook me up. My stomach tightened; my breathing got shallow. I couldn’t think straight. Having such little experience with something like that, I feared we would crash. But, then, I noticed the flight attendants. They were cool as the backside of a pillow…no panic or alarm. I wondered how they could be so calm. Soon the pilot came over the intercom and in a steady, measured voice, explained that turbulence is normal, the plane was built for much, much worse and it would all subside in a few moments. The crew had been through this many times. They understood what was happening and what to do. I was so glad that somebody did! Their calm was contagious. Gradually, I was able to relax and realized that it wasn’t the crisis I had feared it was. That was a game changer. I got through it and now, turbulence isn’t the problem it used to be for me when I fly. It still happens, but I know what it’s about when it does and that gets me through. .

In Person Or Online?

By Mark Beck • December 2, 2024

Vicki and I will start something new in March of 2025. We have been leading in person Hold Me Tight®️ couples retreats at least four times a year for six years now. No two are the same; we always see amazing results and we get more than we give every time. And, in addition to our in person workshops, we’ll also begin offering online Hold Me Tight®️ workshops next year. In person and online workshops are definitely different. Each format has its own advantages. So, what’s different about the two and what is the same and which might be best for you? I’m glad you asked.

What About Love Languages?

By Mark Beck • November 19, 2024

Dr. Gary Chapman’s “The Five Love Languages” is one of the most popular and prolific couples self-help books in history. Since its initial release in 1992, through several revisions, it has sold over 20 million copies. That’s one popular book! Perhaps you’ve read it. If not, it’s worth your time. Chapman basically contends that romantic love shows up in five ways. He calls them “languages.” In no particular order, they are: personal touch, words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service and giving gifts. The idea is that all of us have a top one or two love languages and that couples can and should know, not only their own love language, but more so, their partner’s. And the more you and your partner speak one another’s language, the more love you’ll both share.

a Hold Me Tight Couples retreat in Orlando helps couples grow closer and more secure

Another HMT Couples Retreat in the Books

By Mark Beck • November 12, 2024

A Hold Me Tight retreat in Orlando is a safe, powerful experience for couples to grow closer together

Going Deeper

By Mark Beck • November 5, 2024

A Hold Me Tight couples retreat in Orlando is a great place to let go of old baggage.

No More Baggage Dragging

By Mark Beck • October 30, 2024

At Hold Me Tight, couples learn to let go of old baggage.

A Hold Me Tight couples retreat is a great way to treat problems while they're still easy to fix.

Catch Problems Early

By Mark Beck • October 23, 2024

As I write this, I am waiting in my dermatologist’s office to have minor surgery. He detected a small spot of skin cancer on my face. That’s always a potential problem here in sunny Florida. Fortunately, they caught mine early and the procedure to correct it should be fairly simple. They found my skin cancer in a routine exam. That is to say, I had no symptoms. It wasn’t visible, wasn’t conspicuous, or even noticeable. But, had I ignored it, it most definitely would have worsened and possibly become serious. As they say, prevention beats treatment. And even when treatment is required, the earlier, the better.

Couples that attend a Hold Me Tight retreat in Orlando change their relationship

Change Your Viewing--Change Your Doing

By Mark Beck • October 14, 2024

Couples at a Hold Me Tight retreat in Orlando change their perspective and their behaviors to grow closer than ever before.

A Real Learning Experience

By Mark Beck • October 9, 2024

A Hold Me Tight®️ retreat is a transformational learning experience for couples. Two words there are key: learning and experience. First, what do you learn? You learn fascinating insights from attachment science. You learn that emotions are what drive us. Think about it: the word “emotion” contains the word “motion.” Emotions move us, motivate us. Emotions incite behaviors, actions and reactions. Emotions inform every level of our existence. And our most powerful, most vulnerable emotions are beneath the surface.