Different races and religions make the world an interesting place and we should be all the richer for them. Unfortunately, they can also be divisive. Interracial relationships have always been fraught with difficulties, due to the reaction of prejudiced people and conflicts within the relationship itself.

Some countries forbid intimate relations between different races, or it's at least frowned upon by society. It would have been unthinkable in the segregated southern states of America and the apartheid regime of South Africa. A white person even socializing with a black person would have been considered a traitor. Black families would think it safer to stay on their side of the divide.

The divorce rate is increasing and relationships are being put under the microscope. Why do so many marriages fail? Ironically, most people haven't lost their faith in marriage and they go on to re-marry. Marriage guidance or couples counseling is gaining in popularity. When it began, it was strictly for married couples but now it's offered to any couple in a relationship that are having difficulties. It is particularly popular in America, where the culture encourages people to open up and discuss their intimate problems. In the UK, they are more reluctant to talk to strangers.

Nearly all of us have heard about abusive relationships. Some of us who are less fortunate might even have lived through a few ourselves. But the hard and cruel fact of life is that abusive relationships are a reality that we cannot wish away. No matter how bold the measures adopted by the state functionaries might be or how compelling the advertising campaigns centered around abusive relationships may be, they are not something that is likely to go away or even be wished away. They are an ugly reality that take a toll not just on the perpetrator and the victim, but also everyone else who happens to be a part of the equation.

My father is turning 60 in a few months. He isn't taking it too well and has started to notice more and more gray hairs protruding from his scalp. His body has more aches and pains nowadays too. He's actually dreading his birthday this year, not that I blame him. Our family has decided to throw him a surprise birthday party and make a big celebration out of it. We're having it catered and holding it in a hotel's conference room. Amazingly, it isn't costing us more than $300 for everything. I have racked my brain trying to come up with some ideas for 60th birthday gifts that won't be insulting to him. I'm hoping that the guests will not turn this into some gag gift evening that will leave him feeling even more depressed than he already is.