You Won't Believe This

Did you read about the guy who bought a Winnebago RV and on his first trip, set the cruise control at 70 mph on the highway, then left the driver’s seat, went to the back and started making coffee? Ridiculous, right? Of course, the RV crashed. The owner then sued Winnebago, stating that the owner’s manual did not warn him that cruise control is not autopilot. And he won! The court awarded him $1.75 million. 

At least that’s the story. You can find it on the internet. 

But, it isn’t true.

Nope, urban legend. And thank God it isn’t true, right? First, that anyone would be that stupid and second, that someone could win a lawsuit like that. 

It Happens Every Day

But, here’s what IS true: couples everywhere make the same foolish mistakes everyday. They have put their relationship on cruise control and left the driver’s seat, taken their hands off the wheel, as if it will just drive itself! They aren’t watching the road, don’t see their love heading perilously off course. They are paying attention to other things: kids, careers, hobbies, toys, diversions, distractions—as the relationship veers off course. Too often, they don’t realize it until they have crashed and burned. 


By then, the damage is done.


Now, that IS ridiculous. As if saying, “I love you” and “I do” is enough for a lifetime. It isn’t. A relationship needs attention and intention: hands on the wheel, eyes on the road. Relationship cruise control is foolhardy. 

Get Beck in the Driver's Seat

That’s where Couples Workshops of Florida comes in. Put your relationship back on a safe path. Come to Orlando and spend two days at a Hold Me Tight®️ couples retreat. Hold Me Tight®️ is a low key, fun way to learn and grow as a couple. Over two days, you will meet other couples, see how much you have in common and make sense of your relationship…your conflicts, your connection. You will learn what makes love and what breaks love. You will leave with skills for driving your relationship better, not putting it on cruise control. 


If you’re drifting off course, Hold Me Tight®️ can help. And, even if you have crashed and think you’re hopelessly stuck in a ditch, don’t give up. Your relationship may not be the wreck you think it is. Sometimes, a little understanding and insight and a few guided conversations will give you answers you didn’t know you had and you realize you can indeed get back in the driver’s seat. That’s what a Hold Me Tight®️ retreat can do. 


Get Some Hands On Training

But, you’ll never know until you try. Get some hands on training.


All the details are at www.couplesworkshopsofflorida.com. Our next workshop is the weekend before Valentine’s Day, February 9 & 10, 2024. Plan for it now. Get it on your calendar and give your relationship a gift that can last a lifetime. Here’s to safe travels in the new year!


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Have a Safety Plan

We All Need Predictability

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If you are invested in the stock market, it’s been a roller coaster lately. Indeed, perhaps the best short run strategy is to close your eyes and hold on and ride it out—just like on a roller coaster! However you view the market moves we’re seeing—tariffs and the like—one thing is pretty clear: markets don’t like unpredictability. Uncertainty makes markets very nervous. Hence, lots of ups and downs make for tension and trouble. It’s human nature; unpredictability is stressful in any context.

Safety First

By Mark Beck • April 1, 2025
A local factory required all of its employees to attend a safety class. One fellow didn’t really pay attention and when the final exam at the end of the class asked, “In case of a fire, what steps would you take?” the fellow answered, “Large ones!” “Safety First” is a wise strategy, everywhere from the workplace to the highway to healthcare to childcare. Injuries and accidents cost multiplied billions every year and it’s always better to prevent an accident than to treat one. Whatever the setting, people do better when they feel safe.

Curious or Critical

By Mark Beck • March 14, 2025
Somebody said, “Marriage is a never ending conversation.” I think that’s true. It certainly is a never ending education. That’s part of what makes it fun. Everyday I learn something about my wife, Debbie, about how she sees the world and sees me. And I’m often surprised at our different perspectives. We were on the verge of an argument the other day, simply because we both saw the situation very differently. Neither of us were wrong. But, once I realized how Debbie saw things, I understood her actions and reactions much better. And I realized again that a real key to connection lies in understanding, more than being understood. The late Sue Johnson used to say, “People calm down when they feel understood.” I’ve certainly found that to be true.

Love Is a Team Sport

By Mark Beck • January 29, 2025
If you’re a sports fan (specifically, football) this is your favorite time of year. The NFL playoffs showcase the best of the best and even for the non-fanatics out there, some important truths are evident. Football, like many other sports, is a team game. For sure, individual superstars shine, but only because those around them pull together for a common goal. The best teams operate as one. Eleven players, all on the same page: focused, supportive, picking each other up, pursuing the same goal. When they do, they become more than the sum of their parts…highly efficient. They minimize mistakes and overcome them when they happen. When adversity hits, lesser teams slip into fault finding, sniping and looking out for number one. In any sport, if teammates ever become opponents, they can’t win. It’s game over.

Relationship Rescue

By Mark Beck • January 24, 2025
You might remember the cruise ship Costa Concordia that foundered off the coast of Italy in 2012 after her captain carelessly steered her too close to shore. Rocks tore a 175 foot gash in her hull and the ship listed severely to her starboard side, taking on water and running aground. Ultimately, 32 people died and the recovery cost about $2 billion. Perhaps the greatest blunder though, was that the captain waited over an hour to give the order to abandon ship. For such negligence, he was ultimately convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 15 years. Indeed, he left the ship with 300 passengers still on board! (He said he “fell” into a lifeboat as it was being lowered.)

Help Is Nearby

By Mark Beck • January 17, 2025
I had a close call today. I was almost duped by a very slick hacker. He posed as a security guy from PayPal and I nearly gave him remote access to my computer. (I know, that sounds pretty stupid on my part.) Fortunately for me, when things smelled fishy, I tapped out before any real damage was done. But, I didn’t know what to do from there. I unplugged my PC and called an expert. He knew just what to do and he got me up and running in no time. What a relief! It cost me a few bucks, but most likely saved me a lot more. Computers are a necessary evil in my life. I can’t even imagine managing my home or my business without one. But, they can sure be troublesome. And a cyber wizard, I am not. That’s my problem. I know just enough to be dangerous. It sure eases my mind that help is available when I need it. Because some things I can’t fix. That doesn’t make me stupid…it’s just not my expertise.

Comfort Isn't Always Comfortable

By Mark Beck • January 10, 2025
Intimate relationships are never easy and too many don’t survive. Courtrooms and counselors’ offices are full of couples who didn’t set out to destroy their love; it just looks as if they did. Maybe you’re one of those couples…trying to figure out how you went from newlywed to nearly dead...and you never saw it coming...or you did and you didn't know how to stop it.
A Hold Me Tight couples retreat in Orlando is a great way to ring in the new year

Happy New Year

By Mark Beck • January 2, 2025
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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.
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