Relationships by Susie Castillo

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Video games...two words that women hate. Our boyfriends and husbands can spend countless hours trying to beat the Patriots in Madden Football or mowing down pedestrians while driving through the streets of Liberty City in Grand Theft Auto 4. I used to sit there in boredom watching my college boyfriend (now my husband) play one of his three video game systems. He had a Playstation 2, Xbox and, at one point, a Game Cube as well. Of course I was trying to impress him and be the cool girlfriend that supports video games since most girls complained about it.

Well, one day, the unthinkable happened; I actually started enjoying watching him play, and then started playing them myself. It became fun and while I was working for MTV in NYC, my co-host, Damien, and his girlfriend would come over to play Condemned: Criminal Origins on Xbox 360. It was so much fun! I began to appreciate how difficult it was to play these games and how hard it was to beat them. It took us days to beat Condemned.

Recently, we got Guitar Hero 3 and let me tell you...it's a blasty! We get together with my husband's younger brothers or with friends in Los Angeles and have evenings of trying to out-do each other on the "guitar".

In Key #2 of my book, Confidence is Queen, I talk about embracing your relationships and nurturing them. Sometimes that means doing something for a loved one that may seem uninteresting or lame...but you may surprise yourself if you keep an open mind. Did I ever in a million years think that I would enjoy video games the way I do now!? Not a chance! But one day I thought, "I want to be a part of this "thing" that my husband loves so much". Instead of complaining about it and boycotting it altogether I tried to understand what the big deal is. I did the same thing for all the sports he watches and now I love football and basketball too!

By keeping an open mind, I not only broadened my horizons, but also became closer to my hubby because I went the extra mile to nurture the relationship. Give it a try ladies...and guys too!

‘Till next time,

-- Susie

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