Seven Keys To A Happy Wife

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <img src="http://thyblackman.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/blackmaneatingfruit.jpg" /></div> <ol style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 20px 3em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Separate from Mama.</strong> – Men, you are married to your wife, not your mom! When family matters invade a marriage, your wife needs to trust that you and she are a united front. She must not fear that you will go behind her and talk negatively, especially to your mom. When you and your wife speak to your mom, it should be as one flesh, not competing teams. Your mom is usually going to fight in your corner, right or wrong. This will cause serious problems in your marriage. I love my mom and she is precious to me, but YOU leading your family is the best way to gaji her, not the other way around.</li> <li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Balance the extracurriculars.</strong> – Living life in Sportsman’s Paradise can get busy. Louisiana has everything a man could ever want with regards to the outdoors. My boat and I were closer than my former wife and I at one time. I was perfectly happy leaving her home with the kids to go “tear ‘em up” somewhere in the Lake Pontchartrain waters. The persoalan with this is when it’s done in excess. You really need to take a look at why you fish, hunt, play video games, go to sports bars, etc. Are you doing it because it’s fun or are you getting away from your wife? It’s easy to fall into this trap because it’s easy to justify “harmless” activities. After all, you’re not out drinking all night with other women, so it’s not <em style="border: 0px; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">that</em> bad. The persoalan is that your absence at home is felt by your wife and the kids. Keep your extracurricular activities in check by communicating about them with your wife. Too much passing the ball or too much running the ball will make it easy for the defense to game plan against your marriage. You need balance!</li> <li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Kiss <em style="border: 0px; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">her</em> first.</strong> – When you see your wife for the first time after a day of work, kiss her first. If you’re coming home from work or a long day out – put your keys down, drop your bag on the floor and lay one on her! There is nothing that makes mamma feel better than knowing you are thinking about her. Hitting the door with the intent to connect with her immediately sets the stage for positive energy throughout the evening and shows the kids that their parents are secure in their relationship.</li> <li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Boys Night Out” (AKA: Bachelor Parties).</strong> – I mean – C’mon man! There is nothing that kills a good thing with your wife like a “boys night out”. Back in the day, I was a partying force to reckon with. “Boys night out” usually implied alcohol, taxi cabs, strip clubs and vomit. If this is how you roll with the boys, then I suggest you re-examine your priorities. You may not know it, but your wife is probably scared to death the whole time you’re out. If you want to go hang out with your friends, don’t involve excessive booze at nightclubs. Take some responsibility as a husband and make sure your wife approves. A good question to ask yourself is, “If my wife were here, would she be offended?” (This tip goes for the ladies too.)</li> <li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Reject Passivity.</strong> – When something is happening that you know isn’t right, step in. Passivity will kill your family’s faith and trust in you in times when circumstances demand your intervention. There were so many times in my first marriage when my passivity ended up defining my role in my home. This can’t happen. Now – rejecting passivity does not mean that you need to be a dictator in your home. We are to love our wives as Christ loved the church, not like Ike loved Tina!</li> <li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Your wife did not grow up in your house</strong>. – 6 months after my first marriage began, we were in marriage counseling. I was 100% sure it was all her fault. The counselor listened to each of us plead our cases, and after hearing what I had to say, she got very strong with me in her response. My biggest complaint was “This isn’t the type of environment I grew up with in my house. It’s not the way I do things.” My counselor was quick to point out that my wife did not grow up with me or my family. She was thousands of miles away living a different life and didn’t even know I existed. She said, “How can you possibly expect her to understand ‘how things were in your house’ when you met her only a year ago at the age of 27? And why do you expect her to act like your relatives?” She was right. Far too often we think things will immediately “mesh” and that we’re above the communication problems. Understand that you and your wife are building a <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">new</em> life together, and it will always be in progress.</li> <li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Own her decisions.</strong> – I admit, being married to my wife is like a spiritual roller coaster. She is plugged in to Jesus! Her extreme spirituality leads her in places that are sometimes not familiar to me. She respects my role as the head of our family and when issues arise that are major, it’s my job to make the selesai decision. (And ladies – before you get up in arms about the “balance of power”, she will be the first to tell you that she prefers it that way. The burden is taken off of her shoulders by allowing me to bear the responsibility of the heavy family issues.)  Even though many of the ideas are not mine, I am the leader of my house and therefore the decisions to take action are<em style="border: 0px; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> all</em> mine. If decisions like these fail, you should never blame your wife. You should own it and learn from it.</li> </ol> </div>

Seven Keys To A Happy Wife

Separate from Mama.  – Men, you are married to your wife, not your mom! When family matters invade a marriage, your wife needs to trust ...

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11 Signs You Are With The Person You Should Marry

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <img alt=" Signs you are with the person you should marry 11 Signs you are with the person you should marry" src="http://cdn.relrules.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/marry.png" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.600000381469727px;">While being the most fantasised moment of our lives, marriage is also one of the  most dreaded experiences and hey, why not? It is one of the </span><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #424242; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.600000381469727px;">biggest</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.600000381469727px;"> decisions of our lives, changes almost everything, with the right person these changes will be for the better and long lasting. So, how do we know if we have found the right one, they sure don’t come with  flashing red lights or a halo on their heads, if only that was possible, but in the real world you have to look out for these pointers. Here’s our guide to help you with this leap of faith.</span><br /> <h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1919; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 33.2px; line-height: 1.21; margin: 2.25rem 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px;"> 11. You feel at home with them</h1> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #424242; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px;"> There is a feeling of comfort with this person, an unmatched sense of familiarity, the  time spent with them is free of any pretence. They are easy to talk to, about anything and everything, you can go from having a deep conversation with them to talking about nothing in particular, or just share a peaceful silence with them. It is extremely easy being with them.</div> <h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1919; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 33.2px; line-height: 1.21; margin: 2.25rem 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px;"> 10. You want similar things in life</h1> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #424242; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px;"> This does not necessarily mean working in the same profession, that will just be a bonus, but you know that life will constantly change and grow but it will not affect your relationship, you will grow together. Your long term goals run parallel to each other; whether it is choosing which city to live in, marriage, kids etc, you two are on the same page.</div> <h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1919; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 33.2px; line-height: 1.21; margin: 2.25rem 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px;"> 9. You get along with each other’s family</h1> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #424242; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px;"> This one’s important, marriage is not just a bond between two people, but two families. Having a harmonious relationship with each other’s family will make things easier and happier, you won’t have to deal with the family drama all the time, you can enjoy spending time with your partner’s family and consequently it will also strengthen your relationship.</div> <h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1919; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 33.2px; line-height: 1.21; margin: 2.25rem 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px;"> 8. You crave for their presence</h1> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #424242; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px;"> It’s not like you two can’t be all by yourself, you just prefer not to, because you miss them when they are not around. You enjoy each other’s company, it makes you happy. You give each other space but even when you are doing fun things with your friends, like watching a movie, you think what your partner would’ve said at this dialogue or how hard they would’ve laughed, their presence just makes everything better.</div> <h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1919; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 33.2px; line-height: 1.21; margin: 2.25rem 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px;"> 7. You make big decisions together</h1> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #424242; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px;"> Whether it’s moving to a new house, getting a pet, changing your career etc; you two always make decisions keeping your partner in mind, instead of being selfish and doing things your way and enforcing your choices. You discuss things, explore all options, consider each other’s feelings and then take the big steps. You think ‘we’ rather than ‘me’.</div> <h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1919; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 33.2px; line-height: 1.21; margin: 2.25rem 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px;"> 6. There is no judging</h1> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #424242; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px;"> We all have things that we are not very proud of, we don’t reveal this side to everyone as it makes us vulnerable especially if we feel it could be used against us. When you are with the right person, you feel comfortable in revealing your true self to them, they know all your deepest, darkest secrets, and the best part is that they still love you, they accept your good with the bad. If you want to see how close you are to them, just go through all the things that you have revealed about yourself to them and how much more you are willing to share.</div> <h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1919; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 33.2px; line-height: 1.21; margin: 2.25rem 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px;"> 5. You are an exemplary couple</h1> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #424242; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px;"> When you are happy in a relationship, you radiate positive vibes. Your friends, family, colleagues even strangers can feel the love. Anybody could tell how much you two love each other, while the troubled couples look at you with envy.</div> <h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1919; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 33.2px; line-height: 1.21; margin: 2.25rem 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px;"> 4. You have managed to surpass the rough times</h1> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #424242; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px;"> Life is not all about rainbows and butterflies, there is no way you have a healthy relationship without recalling a few ‘serious’ fights. If you have managed to go through these tough times and came out stronger, then it means you know how to keep the fights away from the breaking point. You know how to fight fair.</div> <h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1919; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 33.2px; line-height: 1.21; margin: 2.25rem 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px;"> 3. You are not just lovers, but best friends</h1> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #424242; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px;"> There is a sense of trust and loyalty between you two, you guys have fun together, and it doesn’t matter if you share the same sense of humour as long as it gets you to crack a smile. Your partner is the first person that comes to your mind when you want to share some big news, know that a new movie is releasing, you love them not just as your significant other but as a person.</div> <h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1919; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 33.2px; line-height: 1.21; margin: 2.25rem 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px;"> 2. They are your support system</h1> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #424242; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px;"> The person you want to share your life with, should be your ultimate support system. Life has the ability to throw all kinds of challenges at us, in times like these you need your partner who balances you out, they give you strength. You know you can win any battle as long as they are by your side.</div> <h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1919; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 33.2px; line-height: 1.21; margin: 2.25rem 0px 1.5rem; padding: 0px;"> 1. You have imagined a future with them</h1> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #424242; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25.600000381469727px; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0px;"> You have married them in your head more times than you remember, it’s because you can see a future with them, planning a life with them doesn’t give you cold feet, instead it brings a smile to your face and you are ready to take the next step with them.</div> </div>

11 Signs You Are With The Person You Should Marry

While being the most fantasised moment of our lives, marriage is also one of the  most dreaded experiences and hey, why not? It is one of t...

Read more »

Things Men Want In A Relationship?

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <a href="http://dailyplateofcrazy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/African-American-Couple-in-Bed.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://dailyplateofcrazy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/African-American-Couple-in-Bed.png" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">I</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">t is commonly said that women are complex in mental nature while men remain easy to understand and simple. Whatever be the reasons that backup this comment, in relationships both men and women follow slightly diverted paths. What men look for in a relationship is not what motivates women to fall in relationships. The differences in desires, mentalities, passion, expression levels etc., are resulted from some unknown causes; might be hormonal differences, mindset changes or social concepts.</span><br /> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 10.5px; margin-top: 21px;"> Unconditional love</h2> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10.5px; text-align: justify;"> Demands and conditions are a big turn off for men of all nature. Men prefer unconditional love, especially in a relationship. Many women adhere often to the mistake of demanding or putting forward certain conditions in return to the love offered.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10.5px; text-align: justify;"> It is a common nature of men that mechanical way of life makes them bored and frustrated soon. They want life like a free flowing leaf in the water. Conditions are often understood as barriers in the free flow of love and men may look for someone else to share the life.</div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 10.5px; margin-top: 21px;"> Friendship and communication</h2> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10.5px; text-align: justify;"> Instead of being authoritarian in life, men look for real friendship and a partner for open communication in relationships. Many men accept that they look for a better friend when they get into relationships, rather a sex partner or female companion. The friendship aspect helps them to open mind and share the life through active communication. Though women are labeled as born with rarely-silent tongue, even men like to talk and be listened.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10.5px; text-align: justify;"> The couples who nurture better friendship in the relationship are more likely to enjoy lifelong romance and happiness. Times are gone when the husband had to take over the role of all-controlling and all-deciding authority while wife remains the silent and all accepting partner. Today better families are which constitute a union of partners based on deeper friendship and never irritating communication strategies.</div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 10.5px; margin-top: 21px;"> Sexuality</h2> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10.5px; text-align: justify;"> Lovemaking has prominent role in helping people to progress in relationships. Many couple fails pathetically to understand the right role of sexuality in relationships, especially in marriage. Sexuality is not a forbidden fruit which is often misconceived as a necessary evil; but an essential harmonizer in relationships. It unites men and women so deeply in love. Many people consider sex as just a process of procreating and begetting kids. In fact, procreation is just one of the aspects of lovemaking. The name lovemaking says it all as it is making or establishing love and affection between two people.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10.5px; text-align: justify;"> Every relationship has to understand the sexual elements involved in it and denying it to any of the couples, is a big mistake which make lead to a breakup. Men are very much bound to sexuality as the male sexuality is very much dynamic. Sexual desires and mode of sexual appetite differs in men and women, Men are fast beginners while women slow-starters. Understanding the differences in sexual nature may help the partners to deal with it most successfully. Men want more sex; of course, while women may not feel the necessity often.</div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 10.5px; margin-top: 21px;"> Support and encouragement</h2> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10.5px; text-align: justify;"> Each partner in a relationship has to support and each other and encourage themselves. Men are very much addicted to incessant support and perpetual encouragement. Female partners need to tune up men consistently by encouraging them and offering support in all the matters related to his personal life as well the matters related the relationship. All men strive for the support of the partner in relationships and when he doesn't get adequate support he may think about another relationship in which he expects more encouragement and support.</div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 10.5px; margin-top: 21px;"> Commitment and fidelity</h2> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10.5px; text-align: justify;"> Needless to say, men look for utmost commitment and uncompromised fidelity in relationships. They want their partners to solely dedicate themselves in the relationships and many men feel it heartbreaking to even think that the partner is less committed. Women with 'roaming-eye' are always considered unaccepted by men.</div> </div>

Things Men Want In A Relationship?

I t is commonly said that women are complex in mental nature while men remain easy to understand and simple. Whatever be the reasons that b...

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The Truth about Men, Love and Intimacy

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="single-featured-image" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </div> <br /> <header class="article-header"><h1 class="entry-title single-title" itemprop="headline"> The Truth about Men, Love and Intimacy</h1> <div class="social-share-container"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://loveandlifetoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Fotolia_71242957_S-750x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="attachment-gz-thumb-750 size-gz-thumb-750 wp-post-image" height="266" itemprop="image" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" src="https://loveandlifetoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Fotolia_71242957_S-750x500.jpg" srcset="https://loveandlifetoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Fotolia_71242957_S-750x500.jpg 750w, https://loveandlifetoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Fotolia_71242957_S-768x513.jpg 768w, https://loveandlifetoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Fotolia_71242957_S-300x200.jpg 300w, https://loveandlifetoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Fotolia_71242957_S-350x234.jpg 350w, https://loveandlifetoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Fotolia_71242957_S.jpg 848w" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div> <h3> <br /></h3> <span class="st_facebook_large" displaytext="Facebook"></span> <span class="st_twitter_large" displaytext="Tweet"></span> <span class="st_pinterest_large" displaytext="Pinterest"></span> <span class="st_linkedin_large" displaytext="LinkedIn"></span> <span class="st_googleplus_large" displaytext="Google +"></span> <span class="st_email_large" displaytext="Email"></span></div> </header><section class="entry-content clearfix" itemprop="articleBody">“I’ve been married for over twenty years. I know I’m not perfect, but I can honestly say that I do my best to be a good husband…I care about what my wife thinks of me asa husband and father.” ~Sal<br /> “It scares me to admit this, but I’d be totally lost without my wife. She’s my best friend and she tells me that I’m hers. Making her happy is everything to me…” ~Luis<br /> “You only hear about the guys who are abusive or cheat, but how about the tons of men who are faithful and kind?” ~John<br /> These are some of the messages several men shared with me while discussing their thoughts about intimacy, their partners and spouses. Before long, a theme arose:<br /> What especially bothered these men were the rampant myths that go unchallenged in society about what men really want from marriage or a long-term relationship.<br /> <br /> <strong>Myth 1</strong>: Men do not value intimacy and emotional connection.<br /> <strong>Myth 2</strong>: Men are motivated to control and tell women what to do (and therefore prefer passive women).<br /> <strong>Myth 3</strong>: Men only want sex (rather than emotional connection).<br /> <strong>Myth 4</strong>: Men do not care about their partners’/spouses’ feelings.<br /> <strong>Myth 5</strong>: Men would rather spend time with their guy friends than their wives/girlfriends.<br /> <br /> Let’s take a closer look at the first myth, the one that claims that men do not value emotional closeness. This myth arises out of the difficulty some men have with emotions: in particular, expressing and sharing their feelings. This reality is partly rooted in the way in which many men are socialized. Emotional self-expression is not considered an important and useful trait for many men—therefore young boys aren’t given the psychological tools needed to identify and appropriate express their feelings.<br /> <img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-5284" height="200" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="http://loveandlifetoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/The-Truth-About-Men-Love-and-Intimacy-300x200.jpg" srcset="https://loveandlifetoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/The-Truth-About-Men-Love-and-Intimacy-300x200.jpg 300w, https://loveandlifetoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/The-Truth-About-Men-Love-and-Intimacy-350x234.jpg 350w, https://loveandlifetoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/The-Truth-About-Men-Love-and-Intimacy.jpg 424w" style="margin: 5px;" title="The Truth about Men, Love and Intimacy" width="300" />Of particular importance is the way in which fathers (and other male mentors) act as role-models for their sons. While many fathers are becoming more comfortable with their sons’ emotional lives, some fathers continue to hold the expectation that once their male child hits a certain age, this emotionality will give way to stoic self-control.<br /> All too often these fathers are perpetuating what was handed down to them by their own fathers—a type of intergenerational legacy of difficulty tolerating and expressing emotions.<br /> <strong>Why are feelings difficult for men?</strong><br /> Feelings of vulnerability (tenderness, sadness, fear, feeling “less than,” embarrassment and shame) conflict with the ideal of masculinity—central to this ideal is the trait of control and <em>masculine strength</em>. Men value power and in the arena of love, power and strength equate to being able to take care of your loved ones.<br /> As the requirements of marriage and intimate relationships change and men are asked to be more emotionally available, the guiding questions for many men are:<br /> <strong>How can masculinity and vulnerability exist side by side?</strong><br /> Do I need to totally abandon the traits of masculinity I value in order to be a good husband and/or father?<br /> Unfortunately, the mentality that emotional vulnerability equates to weakness is alive and well in many cultures and held by too many men. This deep-seated attitude is often triggered in relationships that require and demand greater intimacy. Faced with the challenges of intimacy, men may shut down and withdraw, rather than allow themselves to feel confused and emotionally impotent.<br /> But men still value connection!<br /> Difficulty sharing emotions does not necessarily mean that emotional connection isn’t important to men. Think of it this way: You can deeply enjoy music and yet not know how to play a musical instrument.<br /> How men go about creating connection has less to do with emotional sharing and more to do with actions that validate their masculine identity–providing for their loved ones, tangential giving that leads to concrete results.<br /> <em>As Roger recently said:</em><br /> “My wife didn’t like the color of our bedroom and when she was out with her sister, I painted the entire room her favorite color. I couldn’t wait to see her reaction. When she got home she gave me this big hug and I felt like a million bucks…”<br /> In other words, Roger felt emotionally connected to his wife. He experienced intimacy through doing for his wife, rather than emotional expression.<br /> For the men who feel most at home in the familiar but constrictive strait-jacket of hyper-masculinity, there are significant hurdles to overcome as they attempt to adjust to the new requirements of love and marriage. But for many other men, self-expression and emotional intimacy are seen as long-overdue and a welcome addition to what relationships can offer. These men have long realized that messages that continue to perpetuate the stoic, need-to-be-in-control, warrior mentality are as detrimental to men as they are to women.</section></div>

The Truth about Men, Love and Intimacy

The Truth about Men, Love and Intimacy “I’ve been married for over twenty years. I know I’m not perfect, but I can hone...

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Ten Destructive Relationship Habits To Give Up For Lent Today

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br /> <div class="dek" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; float: left; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img height="513" src="http://ih1.redbubble.net/image.7587022.1337/flat,550x550,075,f.jpg" style="background-color: transparent;" width="640" /></div> <br /> <div class="dek" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 15px;"> Get ready for 40 days of relationship IMPROVEMENT.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 40-day period of Lent. Even if you're not a Christian, the idea behind the season is interesting. It's a time of giving up vices and substituting more positive behavior in their place. Where better to try this out than in our relationships?</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> Every couple has their own unique blend of struggles, but here are 10 bad habits of action and communication that most <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">couples</strong> could stand to give up. This trial only lasts 40 days, but who knows? At the end, you might want to give up your bad habits permanently.</div> <div class="ym" id="ym_1003415940242979181" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; height: 0px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">1. You say, "You always ..."</strong><br /> When you disagree, speak in "I" statements about your <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">own</em> feelings. Don't try to tell your partner how he or she feels or what he or she does. Instead, say, "I feel ...".</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">2. You take "I <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">love</strong> you" lightly.</strong><br /> It's not just a way to end phone calls or something to abbreviate in a text message. You worked hard to find—and keep!—this special connection. Say, "<strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">I love you</strong>" out loud and in-person.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">3. You two shower seperately.</strong><br /> Get in there TOGETHER sometimes! After a while, couples stop noticing each other's bodies. The intimate act of washing your loved one (and all the <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">sexy</strong> stuff than can occur during and after) is worth taking turns under the shower head.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">4. You email each other WAY too much.</strong><br /> Instead of emailing your sweetheart a link to that funny YouTube video or posting something on a Facebook wall, share your thoughts on paper. Write a haiku or a knock-knock joke. Doodle. Check "yes" (not "no"). When was the last time you really looked at your partner's—or anyone else's!—handwriting?</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">5. You forget to say, "Please".</strong><br /> It's easy to fall into the habit of just telling your partner to do something. But sharing your life with someone is a GIFT. So say "Please" and "Thank you".</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">6. You distance yourself after a rough patch.</strong><br /> Touch your partner on the face or arms before bringing up a tough subject—it works much more effectively than words do. Then say what you need to say. This way you're keeping the connection alive.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">7. You CONSTANTLY complain.</strong><br /> Instead of complaining, try to tell your partner three things that you appreciate about him/her or the relationship everyday.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">8. You hyper-focus on everything he does WRONG. (And think he's a mind reader.)</strong><br /> Because he can't. Instead, remember that he will never think like a woman, and focus on what he does do for you and acknowledge it. And if you want something else, ask for it.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">9. You avoid couples therapy.</strong><br /> It's important to be proactive and find support before it gets worse. There are a multitude of marriage education resources on the web, ranging from counselors, coaches, ministers, psychologists, non-profit organizations, etc..</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">10. You give him what <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">you </em>want.</strong><br /> Instead of assuming you know what your partner needs to feel loved, ASK him. If love to your partner is more hugs and kisses, give them. If love is a night out with the guys, give it to him. Show your partner his kind of love for the ULTIMATE loving experience.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Which bad relationship habits do you think you should give up for Lent?</strong></div> </div>

Ten Destructive Relationship Habits To Give Up For Lent Today

Get ready for 40 days of relationship IMPROVEMENT. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 40-day period of Lent. Even if you'r...

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Trust: A Critical Component of Sexual Intimacy in Committed Relationships

<header class="article-header" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #565656; font-family: Signika, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><h1 class="entry-title single-title" itemprop="headline" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Sanchez, Georgia, Cambria, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.333em; margin: 0.67em 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> Trust: A Critical Component of Sexual Intimacy in Committed Relationships</h1> <div class="single-featured-image" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> <img alt="" class="attachment-gz-thumb-750 size-gz-thumb-750 wp-post-image" height="500" itemprop="image" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" src="https://loveandlifetoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Fotolia_65349056_S-750x500.jpg" srcset="https://loveandlifetoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Fotolia_65349056_S-750x500.jpg 750w, https://loveandlifetoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Fotolia_65349056_S-768x512.jpg 768w, https://loveandlifetoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Fotolia_65349056_S-300x200.jpg 300w, https://loveandlifetoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Fotolia_65349056_S-350x233.jpg 350w, https://loveandlifetoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Fotolia_65349056_S.jpg 849w" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="750" /></div> </header><section class="entry-content clearfix" itemprop="articleBody" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #565656; font-family: Signika, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; zoom: 1;"><div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; text-align: center;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Richard Nicastro, PhD, examines how the sexual intimacy stakes rise when you fall in love.  He highlights the conditions that either encourage or discourage trust in a committed relationship.</em></strong></div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;"> When love becomes part of the relationship landscape, when the other starts to <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">matter</i> to you, then how they respond takes on a heightened importance. And once love is set into motion, the more you are moved to share and give of yourself to your partner, the more vulnerable you become. Now trust becomes increasingly important to the workings of your relationship.</div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;"> Trust isn’t just a concept couples must learn about—rather, it’s a subjective experience that must be repeatedly lived and <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">felt</i>.<i style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </i>When trust is experienced in this way, the relationship offers a secure space for the couple, a space that offers solace and opportunities for deeper sharing and connection. Once <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">mutually</i> established, trust can then quietly recede into the background of the relationship where it continues to support the couple, offering comfort and stability, allowing each person to take the risks necessary for meaningful emotional and sexual expression and connection.</div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">There are conditions that enhance or violate trust.</strong></div> <h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Sanchez, Georgia, Cambria, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 1.125em; font-weight: 400; margin: 1em 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> </h3> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;"> Trust requires certain relationship conditions in order to take hold, and when these conditions are violated, when the foundation of trust is shaken, anxieties and insecurities awaken. The intensity of your trust-insecurities may periodically intrude or they may blanket every aspect of your relationship. A lack of trust (or trust that is doubted/questioned) is emotionally disruptive to all involved, and for emotional and sexual intimacy to be (re)established, trust must first be established.</div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Pro-trust Conditions</strong></div> <ul style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 1em 0px 1em 1.5em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5em;"> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em;">accepting / encouraging</span></li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em;">sensitive / concerned</span></li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em;">emotionally open</span></li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em;">responsive / engaged</span></li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em;">committed / reliable</span></li> </ul> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Anti-trust Conditions</strong></div> <ul style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 1em 0px 1em 1.5em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5em;"> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;">critical / judgmental</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;">aloof / indifferent</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;">defensive / closed-off</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;">unresponsive / detached</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.5em;">erratic / unpredictable<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em;"> </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.6em;">            </span></li> </ul> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;"> These behaviors (both pro- and anti-trust) take on particular significance when they come from the person you love and care for. The loved spouse/partner has particular power and influence over you—the power to help you feel secure and connected as well as intensely insecure and anxious. When trust conditions are violated, couples often shift from a secure to an insecure-anxious way of relating (even when anger predominates, the anger is often fueled by undercurrents of anxiety about losing the other).</div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; text-align: center;"> <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">“Having sex with someone I didn’t really know or care about was easy. It’s when I fell in love that sex became amazing and dangerous at the same time. All of a sudden, trust and the potential for betrayal became relevant.”</em>~Eric, 33 years old</div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;"> During sex, the stakes are always elevated because sexual intimacy is inherently risky emotional business—that is, the level of emotional vulnerability evoked with someone you deeply care about presents both the potential for intimate sharing and authentic contact and, when things go awry, emotional wounding and withdrawal. And during these heightened-vulnerability circumstances, your best intentions may not be enough to circumvent painful misunderstandings.</div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;"> Having conversations about the conditions you and your partner each need to enhance trust is important in making these conditions <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">explicitly</i> known to you both. Using the above list of pro- and anti-trust conditions can be a good starting point to jump-start such a discussion. Remember, when trust is solidified, the couple enters an orbit of emotional security surrounding the marriage/relationship, a security that allows for the potential of deeper emotional sharing and sexual exploration and expression.</div> </section>

Trust: A Critical Component of Sexual Intimacy in Committed Relationships

Trust: A Critical Component of Sexual Intimacy in Committed Relationships Richard Nicastro, PhD, examines how the sexual intimacy stake...

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12 Signs You’Re Dating A Man, Not A Boy

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmxb8e5eRpXZwwvBQduQEmoQIy-1E6ViGvx4r307LX_pZu05ghQ6LJFggD9UUde4o56HDe0aVROaiT8d84SnW0vIxnE1o0EgJiliyVv2GKYACR-PKZ_6Jx3alkdNokNx1CihdAkR4QvA/s1600/CoupleLyingInBedAndKissingOnNose-850x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmxb8e5eRpXZwwvBQduQEmoQIy-1E6ViGvx4r307LX_pZu05ghQ6LJFggD9UUde4o56HDe0aVROaiT8d84SnW0vIxnE1o0EgJiliyVv2GKYACR-PKZ_6Jx3alkdNokNx1CihdAkR4QvA/s640/CoupleLyingInBedAndKissingOnNose-850x400.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <br /></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> Let me start this article off by telling you that all women are different and what they expect from a man will be different. Most women want to date men but for some reason, ironically, end up dating boys. It’s not your physical appearance, money or age that makes you a man. I personally wanted a boy in my life not a man; I ended up dating and falling in love with a boy. Dealing with a boy wasn’t easy; when he finally transitioned, I noticed that he turned out to become a man who was way manlier than many men I have known. My bad boy grew up with me, and I am proud of the gentleman he has become. Many of you might not agree with me but for me the criterion which differentiates boys from men is completely different. I don’t believe in the ‘Men will be men’ and ‘Boys will be Boys’ BS.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> Remember, boys grow up to become men, some grow up young and others never will and that’s okay, there are people who love them for who they are. Just try this one thing next time you want to date a guy, try to know him as a friend, you won’t be friend zoned, I am married to my best friend. Don’t be like, ‘ooh that guy is hot, I so want to be his girlfriend’. For all you know, he might turn out to be the biggest jerk you have ever known. Here is my definition of what a man should be like.</div> <ol style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.8571px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px;"> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-bottom: 5px;"><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-family: 'Roboto Condensed', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 200; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">He is a good listener</strong></h2> </li> </ol> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> Every relationship has issues, but they cannot be dealt with if he doesn’t listen. A man is willing to listen no matter how harsh the criticism might be, he might not agree with you, but he will listen. Any boy who loves his woman will man up enough to at least hear his girl out. If he is incapable of doing so, your relationship might not go a long way! He might have a million flaws but if he listens and tries to correct his ways to put a smile on your face, you have a man on your hands.</div> <ol start="2" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.8571px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px;"> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-bottom: 5px;"><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-family: 'Roboto Condensed', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 200; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">He will respect you and others</strong></h2> </li> </ol> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> He will treat your family with compassion and will respect their opinion. I am sorry but if he curses or abuses you or someone else because you guys don’t meet his standards, he is definitely a boy. Boys get intimidated by certain things women do and because they cannot express their feelings of fear, they resort to cursing. He might still be a good lover but he has issues. My bad boy used to curse all the time but he stopped and began to accept people for who they are. I sat him down and we talked about how I felt when he cursed and told him how pathetic he looked when he did. He didn’t even realize how wrong he was until I brought his attention to the topic.</div> <ol start="3" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.8571px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px;"> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-bottom: 5px;"><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-family: 'Roboto Condensed', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 200; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">He knows his Goals</strong></h2> </li> </ol> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> A man knows what he wants to do with his life and works hard to achieve his goals. You can see him working and doing his best. You might even be his inspiration to push forward. Boys tend to have a lot on their might but you don’t see them pushing in the direction they should. They are just disoriented and they need time to get their act together!</div> <ol start="4" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.8571px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px;"> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-bottom: 5px;"><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-family: 'Roboto Condensed', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 200; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">He gives his 100 percent to you and your relationship</strong></h2> </li> </ol> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> A man might not earn thousands or millions, but he isn’t afraid to spend each and every penny he has on you. He might not be able to buy you an iPad for Christmas but he will get you the best thing he can afford!</div> <ol start="5" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.8571px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px;"> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-bottom: 5px;"><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-family: 'Roboto Condensed', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 200; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">He trusts you with other men</strong></h2> </li> </ol> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> A man will trust you and won’t be insecure about the fact that other men would ever take his place. He could be a 1000 miles away but he knows that no one would love you better and your heart and loyalty lie with him. A business trip, a long distance relationship or an all-nighter with friends wouldn’t bother him. He might miss you but he will always trust you.</div> <ol start="6" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.8571px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px;"> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-bottom: 5px;"><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-family: 'Roboto Condensed', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 200; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">He accepts your decisions</strong></h2> </li> </ol> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> Although he will cherish the decisions you both take together, he wouldn’t fuss if you make a decision on your own. He will admire you for stepping up and taking initiative.</div> <ol start="7" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.8571px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px;"> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-bottom: 5px;"><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-family: 'Roboto Condensed', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 200; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">He will be proud of your stability and confidence</strong></h2> </li> </ol> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> If you are financially stable and confident, it wouldn’t mess with his ego. He would proudly brag about you and claim you as his ‘sexy, miss independent’. A man will see his success in your success!</div> <ol start="8" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.8571px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px;"> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-bottom: 5px;"><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-family: 'Roboto Condensed', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 200; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">He would be way above looks</strong></h2> </li> </ol> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> A man would love if you dress up for him, but nothing will stop him from loving and admiring you for who you are. You might be on your period and feel like an ugly smelly alien, but this will not stop him putting his arms around you and swinging you off your feet.</div> <ol start="9" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.8571px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px;"> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-bottom: 5px;"><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-family: 'Roboto Condensed', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 200; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">He will do his share of the chores</strong></h2> </li> </ol> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> A man would consider chores as an act of bonding and home making, he wouldn’t be afraid to fix you a meal or clean the dishes. Working around the house will not make him feel less of a man.</div> <ol start="10" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.8571px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px;"> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-bottom: 5px;"><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-family: 'Roboto Condensed', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 200; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">He will be loyal no matter what</strong></h2> </li> </ol> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> A Victoria secrets model might be sitting in front of him but this will not stop him from loving or admiring you for who you are! He will not want more women in his life to satisfy his selfishness. He will stay by you no matter what.</div> <ol start="11" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.8571px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px;"> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-bottom: 5px;"><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-family: 'Roboto Condensed', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 200; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">He will take a stand</strong></h2> </li> </ol> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> He will stay by you no matter what. No matter what comes your way, he will stick by you. He won’t be afraid to stand against the world alone to defend your honour! He will be your biggest support and will make sure that you both get through the blizzard no matter what!</div> <ol start="12" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22.8571px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px;"> <li style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-bottom: 5px;"><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-family: 'Roboto Condensed', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 200; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">He will look forward to starting a family with you</strong></h2> </li> </ol> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> <div style="color: #353535;"> The idea of marriage or having children wouldn’t scare him away. He might not be ready right away but he would love to discuss the idea with you. The idea of starting a family with you will get him all hyped up and excited. His smile would say it all. A good man is no doubt a blessing.</div> <div style="color: #353535;"> <br /></div> <b><span style="color: red;">Read: </span></b><span style="color: #353535;"><a href="https://justandmyguys.blogspot.com//search?q=">9 Signs you are Dating a Mature Woman, Not a Girl</a></span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Roboto Condensed', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 200; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;"> Ladies, talk to me</h2> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> What do you guys look for in a man? Let me know in the comments below. And as always, stay blessed and keep the love alive!</div> </div>

12 Signs You’Re Dating A Man, Not A Boy

Let me start this article off by telling you that all women are different and what they expect from a man will be different. Most wome...

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8 Signs He’S The Man You Should Be Marrying

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img height="266" src="http://black-culture.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/loving_black_couple1.jpg" style="background-color: transparent;" width="400" /></div> <br /> <br /> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> This one is for the ladies, another one will be posted now or tomorrow for men. So you’ve spent a substantial amount of time with your boyfriend and want to to take things to the next level, this article is going to help you in that decision-making process. Let’s begin.</div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Roboto Condensed', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 200; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;"> 8. He tells you to have your “Girls Nights”</h2> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> This is something I haven’t seen in a lot of men but it should be more common than it already is. A guy who pushes you to have girls nights is a guy who knows how important your girls are for you and he knows you need to spend your own “me time” with them to stay happy. It also means that he isn’t a need freak who can’t see you have fun on your own without him being there. Keep in mind, a guy is writing this article and I tell my girlfriend to go out with her girls all the time. It’s a very healthy trait to have for men.</div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Roboto Condensed', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 200; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;"> 7. He understands you, completely</h2> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> When I say “understand”, I don’t just mean that he knows your likes and dislikes. Anyone who spends a few months with you can understand you that much, I’m talking about a more mature level of understanding. This means that your guy knows when you’re ticked off, it also means he knows what to say and when to say it. If a guy can make you laugh at even the most darkest of your days, he understands you emotionally. Emotional understanding is very vital for a lasting relationship.</div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Roboto Condensed', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 200; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;"> 6. He doesn’t hate your social circle</h2> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> This is kind of common, a lot of guy friends I have actually restrict their girlfriends from meeting her friends. There will be guys and girls both in her social circle but some men have issues with the fact that their girlfriends are spending too much time in her social circle (mostly the guys in that social circle). This points to a few insecurities that some guys have and it also points to the fact that he doesn’t trust you as much as he should. A guy who’s completely cool with your social circle is the guy you NEED to keep and do everything for.</div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Roboto Condensed', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 200; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;"> 5. He doesn’t flinch at the topic of marriage</h2> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> I know, marriage sometimes can be a difficult topic to think about but when two people have known each other enough, it becomes part of the general conversation without a plethora of anti-marriage statements. We get into relationships because we want to see how compatible we are with people and ultimately if we can spend the rest of our lives with them or not. If your boyfriend doesn’t run away from this topic, it means he’s been thinking about it as much as you have or maybe more, he’s a keeper.</div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Roboto Condensed', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 200; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;"> 4. He supports you even at your worst decisions</h2> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> We all make mistakes in life, sometimes our decisions lead to good things and sometimes they lead to bad things. A person who stands right by your side at both the good and the bad is a person who loves you no matter what. Support is very important (it goes without saying), emotional support is something that makes your partner understand that they’ll always get back to normal even if they make a bad decision. If your guy supports you even when you fail, he’ll support you in anything.</div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Roboto Condensed', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 200; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;"> 3. He loves you the same</h2> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> Now this one is common. When relationships get old (a few years), a lot of people complain that “it’s not the same anymore”, “the spark is gone”, “we are growing apart”, well that’s because of a lot of reasons but mainly absence of expressiveness can lead to this. If you feel the same with your guy even after years of being with him, why are you even reading this article? He’s a keeper.</div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Roboto Condensed', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 200; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;"> 2. He is a romantic</h2> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> Sentimental guys are hard to come by, I’m proud at the way I express myself with my girlfriend and she loves this fact about me, the fact that I am expressive about each and every feeling I have. A friend of mine once told me, he said:</div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Roboto Condensed', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 200; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;"> 1. He doesn’t care about how “hot” you look</h2> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> A man who loves you will love you regardless of how much makeup you put on your face or how hot you look. A man who loves you also knows that beauty and “hotness” are very superficial things and feelings are what count in the end. If you have a guy who looks at you with the same loving way in any case, he’s a keeper.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 20px;"> That’s it for now, ladies. Have you found your Mr. Right? Let me know what you love about him in the comments below. As always, stay blessed and keep the love alive!</div> </div>

8 Signs He’S The Man You Should Be Marrying

This one is for the ladies, another one will be posted now or tomorrow for men. So you’ve spent a substantial amount of time with yo...

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20 Relationship Tips: Give Your Relationship the Attention it Deserves

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <header class="article-header"><h1 class="entry-title single-title" itemprop="headline"> 20 Relationship Tips: Give Your Relationship the Attention it Deserves</h1> <div class="single-featured-image"> <img alt="" class="attachment-gz-thumb-750 size-gz-thumb-750 wp-post-image" height="426" itemprop="image" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" src="https://loveandlifetoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Fotolia_40455924_S-750x500.jpg" srcset="https://loveandlifetoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Fotolia_40455924_S-750x500.jpg 750w, https://loveandlifetoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Fotolia_40455924_S-768x512.jpg 768w, https://loveandlifetoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Fotolia_40455924_S-300x200.jpg 300w, https://loveandlifetoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Fotolia_40455924_S-350x233.jpg 350w, https://loveandlifetoolbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Fotolia_40455924_S.jpg 849w" width="640" /></div> </header><section class="entry-content clearfix" itemprop="articleBody"><div style="text-align: center;"> <strong>Richard Nicastro, PhD explores specific ways you can improve your relationship, noting that it usually doesn’t just “happen” but requires effort to be sure it gets adequate attention.  </strong></div> Let’s face it: there is a staggering volume of marriage/relationship help advice out there. Any Internet search on the topic will give you page after page of relationship “How to’s” and “What not to do’s.” Depending on your perspective, this can be either good news (the easy availability of helpful information) or bad news (trying to navigate the overwhelming maze of relationship tips).<br /> The truth is, there is also a great deal of overlap in what is being said about how to strengthen a marriage/relationship—and while some authors are more eloquent in how they get this information across than others, often the underlying message is consistent. This is good news. The repetition in marriage/relationship advice suggests that there are important hard-and-fast principles that couples should pay attention to.<br /> So rather than searching for the golden goose that will magically send you down the path of marital or relationship bliss, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and give your relationship the attention it deserves.<br /> <br /> <strong>20 Relationship Tips:</strong><br /> <ol> <li>Couples need to set up a <strong>clear boundary</strong> around their relationship—this boundary involves saying “no” to the influences that can undermine your relationship.</li> <li>Healthy marriages/relationships require <strong>balance</strong> between having shared couple-experiences that will feed the relationship while at the same time nurturing their individual interests and pursuits.</li> <li>Without a clear expression of <strong>commitment</strong> to the relationship, trust and emotional security will suffer. A strong relationship foundation is built on mutual commitment.</li> <li>Direct, <strong>clear communication</strong> should always be a top priority.</li> <li>Being <strong>attuned to your needs</strong>, wants and desires is the first step in getting them met—when you’re unclear about your own needs, how can your spouse/partner ever meet them?</li> <li>Not everything needs to be discussed, analyzed and “processed” between partners. Letting go, <strong>giving your partner the benefit of the doubt</strong>, and practicing forgiveness will go a long way in creating a fulfilling relationship.</li> <li>Words have the power to build empathic bridges between partners, and <strong>words</strong> also have the power to hurt and create a wasteland of distance between you. Choose your words wisely.</li> <li>Important issues that are repeatedly ignored, minimized or go underground will resurface with a vengeance. A healthy relationship requires <strong>facing uncomfortable issues</strong> from time to time.</li> <li>Like a wildfire, emotional wounding and defensiveness can spiral out of control and quickly consume a relationship.  Couples need to be <strong>mindful of the negative cycles</strong> that arise in their relationship.</li> <li>Deliberately <strong>creating positive experiences</strong> and interactions between the two of you (while facing the uncomfortable issues that need to be addressed) should be an ongoing priority.</li> <li>Emotional intimacy and closeness are built upon both partners being consistent, <strong>emotionally available</strong> and responsive to one another.</li> <li>Expecting to get all (or even most) of your needs met whenever you want is like expecting the weather to change based upon your whims and preferences.  Unrealistic <strong>expectations</strong> lead to unhappy marriages/relationships.</li> <li>For some, emotional closeness is a prerequisite for sexual intimacy; for others, sexual intimacy leads to <strong>emotional intimacy</strong>.</li> <li>Passion and <strong>fulfilling sex</strong> often needs to be talked about, planned and negotiated (a lack of sexual spontaneity isn’t necessarily a sign of marital/relationship problems).</li> <li>What makes you feel loved and <strong>emotionally connected</strong> may be very different from what makes your partner feel loved and emotionally close. Communicating and understanding these differences can go a long way in improving your relationship.</li> <li>Certain differences between your and your partner’s <strong>communication styles</strong> and emotional expressiveness need to be accepted. You can’t make an introvert outgoing, and likewise, don’t expect an extrovert to happily sit home every evening.</li> <li>Friendships are built on joint activities and common interests. In addition to being lovers, couples need to <strong>learn to be friends</strong>.</li> <li>Couples who actively practice <strong>gratitude and appreciation</strong> feel a deep sense of connection with one another. It’s too easy to simply focus on what bothers you about your mate while ignoring why you fell in love with him/her in the first place.</li> <li>While a relationship obviously takes two committed people, one person can make a difference in improving the overall <strong>quality of the relationship</strong>.</li> <li>Fulfilling, healthy relationships are co-created, not found. Couples who <strong>work together</strong> (at keeping their relationship strong) are more likely to stay together.</li> </ol> While it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the information presented in this article, remember that you can pick one or two items from the above list and began implementing them into your relationship right away. As a marriage/couples counselor, I’ve seen couples make big differences in their relationship with a simple and relatively small change—the goal is to be consistent and persistent with whatever positive change you’re trying to make.</section></div>

20 Relationship Tips: Give Your Relationship the Attention it Deserves

20 Relationship Tips: Give Your Relationship the Attention it Deserves Richard Nicastro, PhD explores specific ways you can improve ...

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Five Ways On How Better Communication Can Prevent Divorce

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br /> <h1 class="post-title" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: left; color: #444444; float: left; font-family: Titillium, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 38px; font-stretch: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> <img height="266" src="http://www.blackloveandmarriage.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/old_black_couple-e1315319695679.jpg" width="400" /></h1> <br /> <h1 class="post-title" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Titillium, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 38px; font-stretch: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> <div style="border: 0px; color: #666666; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> When asked about making relationships last just about everyone will tell you the same thing: communication is key! It is advice that is as useful as it is vague. It offers no practical steps you can take, and fails to acknowledge that communication takes many forms, and they aren’t all good for your relationship. Here are some tried and tested methods for keeping the communication in your relationship productive and open.</div> <div style="border: 0px; color: #666666; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Honesty is (usually) the best policy</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; color: #666666; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Being honest about how you feel and what you need is the most important and effective thing you can do to preserve your marriage. It can be difficult to tell someone you love that you’re unhappy or unfulfilled, but if you don’t tell them, they’ll never know. Be clear and open about what you feel is missing, or what needs to change. Your spouse loves you and wants you to be happy. If you tell them what you need, they will almost certainly want to help you find it.</div> <div style="border: 0px; color: #666666; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Not everything you think needs to be said</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; color: #666666; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Sometimes sharing close quarters with someone you love means finding them frustrating and irritating. Sometimes even the sound of them breathing can make you crazy. This doesn’t mean that you don’t love them anymore, and it definitely doesn’t mean that there is something wrong with the way they breathe. Letting thoughts like those out is destructive and hurtful, and accomplishes absolutely nothing. Before criticizing your partner, try to think about how you would feel if they made the same complaint about you, then try to drop it.</div> <div style="border: 0px; color: #666666; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Don’t bottle it up…</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; color: #666666; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> The first piece of relationship advice my mother ever gave me was “don’t let it fester.” She said she and my father didn’t have their first fight until they had been together for 5 years, and boy was it a doozy. Even if your spouse does something totally inappropriate or cruel, once you’ve held onto your anger for long enough, you’ve given up the high ground. If an issue isn’t important enough to be addressed in a timely manner, it isn’t important enough to be used at a later date either.</div> <div style="border: 0px; color: #666666; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">But bottle it up a little</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; color: #666666; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> There is a difference between passive-aggressively holding onto past mistakes, and thinking calmly about a perkara before discussing it. When you are hurt, or angry, or frustrated, your ability to talk reasonably and come up with a solution is going to suffer. Sometimes it is a good idea to wait a little while and let the most extreme emotional responses fade before broaching a subject. This will allow you to come at it with some perspective, and to say calmly to your partner, “it bothers me when you do this, for this reason.” No yelling, no accusations, just a simple conversation about ways to make living together easier for both of you.</div> <div style="border: 0px; color: #666666; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 600; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Find new ways to discuss difficult issues</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; color: #666666; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 28.7999992370605px; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> For some people confrontation is more than just difficult. My sister suffers from actual panic attacks during difficult encounters, which makes those hard conversations even more of a challenge. She and her husband work online from two separate offices in the same house, and occasionally they will discuss touchy subjects via online chat. It allows her to distance herself from the stress of the conversation without sacrificing her own needs. There are other advantages to the written word; it gives you an opportunity to reconsider what you wish to say before it is too late, and it forces you to abandon sarcasm, the great American crutch. Since your tone can’t indicate whether or not you are serious, you should be writing only what you mean.</div> </h1> </div>

Five Ways On How Better Communication Can Prevent Divorce

When asked about making relationships last just about everyone will tell you the same thing: communication is key! It is advice that ...

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12 Golden Rule To A Happy And Long Lasting Marriage/Dating

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <img src="http://static.yourtango.com/cdn/farfuture/KAo2PPwFWDG0Fwq7dQMNqrkMNprh4Fmm6mivRRQb9CA/mtime:1427941577/sites/default/files/styles/listing_big/public/image_feature/golden.jpg?itok=xae17eRc" /><br /> <br /> <div class="field-value value-bold summary dek no-label" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22.399999618530273px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <div class="field field-name-field-daily-dish-feature-summar field-type-text-long field-label-above" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> <div class="field-items" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> <div class="field-item even" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> Fairy-tale love is hard to find. Here are some tips for keeping your relationship healthy and happy.</div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field-value body no-label" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> One of the most common questions we hear is, "<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">How do we make our relationship work?</em>" The answers are complicated, varied, and after a while, start to sound like muddled platitudes. But these commonplace sayings get repeated because <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">they work</em>. With this in mind, we pulled together 12 cliches that, in fact, reveal simple, tried-and-true advice for having a healthy, happy relationship. Read on and let us know what you think:</div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">1. Mind your manners.</strong> "Please," "thank you" and "you're welcome," can go a long way in helping your partner remember that you respect and love him and don't take him for granted.</div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">2. Variety is the spice of life.</strong> Studies have shown that dullness can lead to dissatisfaction with a relationship. Trying something new can be as simple as visiting an unfamiliar restaurant or as grand as a backpacking trip through Sri Lanka. Discoveries you make together will keep you feeling close. </div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">3. The couple that plays together, stays together.</strong> Find a sport or hobby that you both love (no, watching TV doesn't count) and make it a priority in your relationship. Camping, biking, building model trains. .. whatever it is, find something you enjoy doing together.</div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">4. Fight right.</strong> In order to have productive arguments, keep these rules in mind: Don't call your spouse names. When things get really tough, take a break from the argument. Let the other person finish his/her sentences. Don't initiate a discussion when you're angry.</div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">5. I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine.</strong> No one likes demands (unless you're in a BDSM role play) but everyone can appreciate a compromise. If you want your lover to do something and you're not sure he'll be agreeable, the quickest way to avoid a confrontation is to sweeten the deal. For example: "Sure, I'll watch Monday Night Football if you take me to see the next movie of my choice."</div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">6. Two heads are better than one.</strong> Being in a relationship basically means you've made a merger; you've not only joined assets but inherited the other's problems as well. Rather than looking at his problems as merely his own, tackle them together. For example, if he's gaining weight, rather than pushing him to diet on his own, enroll in an exercise kegiatan together.</div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">7. Distance makes the heart grow fonder.</strong> Maintain your own friendships and occasionally have a night out without your significant other. Doing things without your s.o. not only makes you miss him or her, it also keeps you sane. And in case the relationship doesn't work out, you'll still have your friends.</div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">8. Sound it out.</strong> It other words: communicate! Talking out the tough subjects — money, religion, fidelity, raising kids —will not be the most fun you've had, but it'll be valuable.</div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">9. Laughter is the best medicine.</strong> Learn to laugh at yourself and at silly mistakes. If he throws your $300 cashmere sweater in the dryer, laughing it off is better than getting angry in the long run. It's just a $300 cashmere sweater, not the end of the world.</div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">10. Keep your eyes on the prize. </strong>Yes, he forgot your co-worker's name for the tenth time, but it probably doesn't mean he doesn't care about you. If you keep your perspective fixed on the goal — to be in a happy, functioning partnership — you're less likely to get tangled up in every minor annoyance. Remember, you both want the same thing.</div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">11. Quitters never win.</strong> Find a ritual and keep it alive, no matter what. Whether it's always kissing each other good night, renewing your wedding vows every year, sleeping in as late as you want once a month or committing to having sex once a week, pick something that makes you both feel good and stick to it, even when you're tempted to skip.</div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">12. When the going gets tough, the tough get going ... to therapy.</strong> Studies show that couples who seek counseling during rocky periods are more successful in resolving their issues than those who don't. Whether its from a religious figure, counselor or mental health professional, getting an expert to help sort out strife is as wise as forgoing self-installation and hiring a plumber to put in a new sink.</div> </div> </div>

12 Golden Rule To A Happy And Long Lasting Marriage/Dating

Fairy-tale love is hard to find. Here are some tips for keeping your relationship healthy and happy. One of the most common que...

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Ladies: 10 Signs To Know He Wants To Marry You: Put Him To The Test

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> It’s no secret, women have strong intuition and we can usually sense what our partner is thinking. If you suspect he’s thinking about marriage, you are probably right. Sometimes it’s hard to tell what men are thinking though, especially when it comes to commitment.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> If he is doing any of these 10 things, you might be closer to walking down the aisle than you think. If you have been dying to know if he’ll take the plunge but don’t want to make him feel pressured, just look for signs he wants to marry you. The proof is in the pudding.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> These 10 signs can help you navigate where you stand in his mind, even without him telling you. If he is doing these things you can be pretty sure he’s taking the relationship seriously. No one likes to be with a guy who won’t commit, so don’t! If he is dragging his feet and not treating you like a queen, find someone who will.</div> <h2 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 34px; font-stretch: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> 1. Investing in your future</h2> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <img alt=" women have strong intuition and we can usually sense what our partner is thinking LADIES: 10 Signs To Know He Wants to Marry You: Put Him to the Test" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-72233" height="347" src="http://youqueen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Beautiful-young-couple-standing-at-the-car-dealership-and-making-their-decision.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="585" /></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Has he offered to help you buy a car or pay for higher education? Maybe he’s offered to pay off your debt or help you consolidate debt. If he is starting to look to the future when your finances will be joined, chances are he’s not going to think twice about making investments that will benefit your future life together.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> If he asks for your opinion when making big purchases, it is a good sign he sees you both enjoying his new purchases together. If he has got you a really nice piece of jewelry lately, he might be testing the waters so to speak in order to see your response. Remember, guys don’t want to be rejected when they pour their heart out and their entire life is on the line with the power of your one word: ‘yes’ or ‘no’.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Why not get a house magazine, a travel magazine or a parenting book. I mean don’t freak him out, but give him signs that you’re ready so he can feel more comfortable. As you do the pre engagement dance, you will start to change as you think about what your life together will be like and what you want it to be like. When you begin planning, he will also begin to pick up on the signs, so that’s a good thing.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="color: #666666; font-size: 34px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 24px;">2. Planning vacations together</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Here’s a sign that he’s taken a strong interest in you. If he’s planning vacations with you and his family or closest friends, he’s taking you pretty seriously. Even if it’s just the two of you but you can tell he is really trying to impress you, get to know you and get closer, it’s a pretty big sign my friend.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Okay, planning in general is a sign he’s up to something. Have you noticed if he has been more frugal lately, is he saving up to buy you a ring maybe? Did he plan a vacation to a romantic location where he might be thinking of asking you? Is he buttering you up like a thanksgiving ham so he can stick you in the marriage oven? Sounds delicious, doesn’t it?</div> <h2 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 34px; font-stretch: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> 3. He wants to work out your differences</h2> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> When a guy goes the extra mile to try to improve communication and maybe suggests couples therapy, this is a sign he wants to make it work. If he is making an effort to see your perspective or has curtailed some of the behaviors that get under your skin, maybe he is growing up and planning your future as a happy couple. If he has softened up recently, he might be warming up to the idea of forever.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Is he letting go of things that used to really make him mad? In that case, he must be doing some deep thinking. If he has made an effort to be nice to your friends that you know he doesn’t like that much, he is probably trying to impress you.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> When a man, simply put, starts acting like a man and less like a child, it’s definitely on purpose. A man cannot act without motivation and if he’s been looking in the mirror recently and getting in touch with his inner truth, you’ll know something is up. If you’re reading this article and things are ringing a bell, congratulations, he might be about to change your whole life.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> It might be time to break open the champagne and call Aunt Mindy pretty soon (she’s the one you never talk to, but feel compelled to call just to tell her you’re getting married).</div> <h2 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 34px; font-stretch: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> 4. He can’t get enough of you</h2> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <img alt=" women have strong intuition and we can usually sense what our partner is thinking LADIES: 10 Signs To Know He Wants to Marry You: Put Him to the Test" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-72236" height="390" src="http://youqueen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/young-couple-with-playful-behavior-in-bedroom.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="585" /></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Does he invite you over every night? Has he talked about moving in together? Has he been spending an inordinate amount of time with you? Chances are he is smitten and thinking about the next step. If you’ve been together for a while, at least six months, chances are he’s thinking about it, even if he hasn’t mentioned it.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> If he keeps choosing to hang out with you over his friends, he might be ready to take the plunge. If he is showering you with compliments and seems really happy, this man is most likely very satisfied with you and thinking about that big decision.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Has he put pictures of you everywhere, in his wallet and at his office? Does he call you and text you a lot? Does he ask to have dates and surprise you with fun things? When a guy is really excited about you, he won’t be able to stop. They aren’t that good at hiding it.</div> <h2 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 34px; font-stretch: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> 5. He introduces you to everyone he knows</h2> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Here’s a big sign. Has he introduced you to all of the people that are important to him? This includes best friends, coworkers, and family. If he’s not ashamed of your relationship and he’s making sure everyone knows you guys are an item, chances are you’ve got yourself a committed man that will be on his knee in not too long.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> You’ll pick up on how he’s behaved in the past; maybe you’re the first one he has introduced to everyone. Guys are usually very cautious about bringing girls into the circle of trust. But when you’re in, it’s a big sign he loves you. Pay attention to how he introduces you.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> What did he say, does he compliment you, and is he proud of you? Does he hold your hand in front of them? This man wants to literally hold onto you until death do you part.</div> <h2 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 34px; font-stretch: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> 6. Meeting the parents</h2> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Guys are funny creatures. Some of them will bring their parents on their first date (yes I’ve seen this happen), some guys will introduce you to their parents within the first week of dating, and some guys are more protective and wait for a while. Whatever the case may be, if he’s introduced you to his parents, this is a sign that he’s serious about you.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> If he had cold feet about meeting your parents and suddenly warmed up to the idea like it was no big deal, this man’s mind has changed. Is he asking to meet your parents and siblings? Is he asking what your parents like, trying to get to know them and get on their good side? Is he trying to score brownie points?</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> If you’ve never been married before, you might not even realize what you’re walking into when a man gets serious about the relationship. Don’t think he’s just being nice because likes you. A man will not embrace a woman’s family unless he’s thinking they are going to become his family.</div> <h2 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 34px; font-stretch: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> 7. Looking at houses</h2> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Has he become obsessed with looking at houses recently? If so, he might be thinking about wedding bells my dear. Usually guys don’t buy houses with girls they aren’t serious about. If he’s looking at them with you, he’s probably planning on living in one with you. Is this getting you excited? Getting nervous?</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Has he started talking about furniture or mortgages? Has he been obsessed with figuring out the job that will offer you both a great lifestyle? Has he been talking about or looking over “figures” a lot? He’s got nuptials on his mind if he’s plotting to nest.</div> <h2 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 34px; font-stretch: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> 8. Talking about children</h2> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Yes, this is a big one too. If he keeps bringing up how he wants to be a dad or what a great mom you would make, his mind is in the future and he sees you guys starting a family. If you have noticed him commenting on babies or talking about friend’s kids, this man’s primal instincts are kicking in; he’s looking long term.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Now, if you’re shopping, and he takes a turn into the kid section, you can almost guarantee his mind is scheming. Has he bought any self-help books recently? When men are thinking about becoming fathers, they often try to better themselves and prepare. For that matter, when they are getting ready for marriage, they will often do that as well.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Maybe he dropped a bad habit, cleaned up his diet, started an exercise plan or made an effort to get a better paying job. If he has become more responsible lately, he might be thinking about settling down.</div> <h2 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 34px; font-stretch: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> 9. He’s really open with you</h2> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <img alt=" women have strong intuition and we can usually sense what our partner is thinking LADIES: 10 Signs To Know He Wants to Marry You: Put Him to the Test" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-72238" height="390" src="http://youqueen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Couple-having-a-spritz-time-with-a-lake-view.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="585" /></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> When a man becomes vulnerable, it’s a good sign. If he has suddenly begun to share embarrassing moments, feelings, and other sensitive things, he might really have serious plans with you. When a man trusts you, he behaves differently. He lets his guard down and is more of his goofy self.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Remember to be sensitive to him as he opens up, so he doesn’t feel like you’re going to attack him if he does let his guard down. Try not to judge him, and see him as a fellow human that is learning life lessons and doing the best he can.</div> <h2 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 34px; font-stretch: inherit; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> 10. He’s extra attentive</h2> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Have you noticed him being extra nice to you recently? Has he been noticing when you change your hair or complimenting you on your outfits? Has he offered to take you out to dinner and gotten you flowers. Maybe he’s stopped leaving a mess in the living room or made sure to put down the toilet seat.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> When a man starts being a gentleman and stops being a boyfriend, he’s thinking seriously about something. Has he become more supportive of your ideas or asked you about your goals? Why is he evaluating your five year plan? What is he trying to figure out? If you sense that your guy is trying to see if your goals line up, this guy is sizing up wife material.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> If he’s not doing any of these things, it doesn’t mean he isn’t serious about you. Only you can know for sure. If you’re wondering, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with just asking. If you do want to marry this man, you want to be able to be open about your feelings anyway, right? If you’re so curious, just see what his thoughts are.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> What if you never asked and you spent years with someone just trying to ‘read the signs’ and not wanting to scare him off. Maybe he’s not looking for marriage and you can save yourself the heartache early on. Don’t pressure him by saying something like ‘when do you want to get married?’ but see if it’s something he’s considering.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Open and candid relationships have the best chances of making it. Don’t be afraid to speak up and be open.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> When you feel his energy turned towards you, you will know something is up. If he is remembering what you say, listening intently and cancelling fantasy football with his buddies so you can have a movie night, this man has a ring on his mind.</div> <a class="bannerclick h2" data-id="70547" href="http://3b4ceei8r1ir5mabni-dscgifm.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=H2A1" rel="nofollow" style="-webkit-transition: 0.2s; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1aadd2; display: block; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-stretch: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: 0.2s; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><br /> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 26px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"> If you know someone who could benefit from this article, do them a favor and pass it along. I would love to hear feedback from you amazing women, and I thank you for being a part of the You Queen community.</div> </div>

Ladies: 10 Signs To Know He Wants To Marry You: Put Him To The Test

It’s no secret, women have strong intuition and we can usually sense what our partner is thinking. If you suspect he’s thinking about marr...

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