Save your relationship this Wednesday
Insight for men and women
Special to the Recorder
Indianapolis area residents who want a stronger marriage/relationship, or to strengthen the one they already have, have an opportunity to hear from author Vivian Sneed, who is currently in town promoting her new book, “Falling In Love With Me – Mastering A True Love Affair.”
Sneed will host a reception and book signing this Wednesday at 6:30 pm at the Eagle Creek Apartments Clubhouse, 4061 Eagles Roost Dr.
“Falling In Love With Me” is about the good and bad aspects of relationships, and how couples can build a healthy union. Sneed believes that a key ingredient is “loving yourself”, as well as having self-confidence and faith going into a relationship.
“The main thing I hope readers get out of this book is to learn how to love themselves,” said Sneed. “Once you accept and embrace who you are, and have peace within yourself, there is a better chance of having an awesome and fulfilling relationship with another person. It’s not just about the other person, it starts with you.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans getting divorced rose significantly between 2009 and 2012. Some statistics have indicated that the country’s divorce rate is close to 50 percent.
Among singles, 38 of those who are “single and looking” are using online and mobile dating sites, instead of using the traditional method of meeting in person.
Sneed noted that these trends highlight the fact that many marriages and relationships are in trouble. She was prompted to write “Falling In Love With Me” due to these trends and her own experiences.
“I was standing in line at the store with my daughter one day and the Holy Spirit encouraged me to write. At first I didn’t think I had anything to say,” Sneed said, laughing. “But as I started typing, the words helped me, and now I would like to use them to help someone else.”
Among other challenges, Sneed overcame an abusive five-year marriage. After making the difficult decision to leave her husband, Sneed, with $800 to her name, a 1976 Oldsmobile that leaked oil and her children, moved across the country from Portland to Atlanta. While there, she was written two successful productions, including “The Power Prayer” and the stage version of “Falling In Love With Me.”
“Your mind can play games on you in situations like that. I thought, ‘maybe I should have stayed and could have been fulfilled somehow in that same relationship,’” Sneed said. “It was then I learned that it’s not about having a man or sugar daddy, but doing what I needed to do first for stability for me and my child.”
Sneed added how that experience also awakened her to the importance of spirituality in relationships, and many of her thoughts are supported by biblical scripture.
“A lot of men and women don’t have a model of a solid relationship, so much of what is done is by trial and error,” Sneed said. “That’s why we need God. He will teach you what real love is and how to love. You can tell your relationship with people by your relationship with God. If you’re already mad at God and ready to give up on him, you may very well do that to the people around you.”
Sneed believes that many of the methods that can be used to strengthen relationships are straightforward, especially accountability and communication.
“If we can talk to each other and depend on each other by being accountable, then we can build trust,” Sneed said.
For more information about “Falling In Love With Me”, visit viviansneed.webs.com
