As the holiday season approaches, we want to remind you of two fundamental Marriage Labs principles that need to be adhered to: Cut your partner slack and give them the benefit of the doubt. Both are related to having a generous attitude rather than a competitive one (they are not the enemy – you are on the same team). As stress levels rise due to expenses, rearranging schedules to accommodate kids’ vacations, travel planning with extended family, it is easy to turn on your spouse. You feel pressured and take it out on your partner. We ask that you catch yourself and remember that they too are stressed. Pause, take a breath and appreciate one another. Try not to get caught up in the frantic pace of the season, find space for each other and remember, you are in this together. Breathe . . . . . We appreciate thoughts and ideas for future Pearls from our readership, so please submit them to our email marrylabs@comcast.net.