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    <channel>
        <title>Carpe Diem!!! </title>
        <link>http://maironawest.vox.com/library/posts/tags/relationships/page/1/</link>
        <description>Seize the day before it&#39;s too late</description>
        <language>en</language>
        <generator>Vox</generator>
        <lastBuildDate>Tue, 20 May 2008 11:21:00 -0700</lastBuildDate>
        <copyright>Copyright 2008</copyright>
        <docs>http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss</docs> 
        <category domain="http://maironawest.vox.com/tags/">relationships</category>  
 
        <item>
            <title>Worst ways to be dumped</title>
            <link>http://maironawest.vox.com/library/post/worst-ways-to-be-dumped.html?_c=feed-rss-full</link>   
            <author>nobody@vox.com(Mairona West)</author>
            <comments>http://maironawest.vox.com/library/post/worst-ways-to-be-dumped.html?_c=feed-rss-full</comments>
            <guid isPermaLink="true">http://maironawest.vox.com/library/post/worst-ways-to-be-dumped.html?_c=feed-rss-full</guid> 
            <pubDate>Tue, 20 May 2008 11:21:00 -0700</pubDate>         
            
            <description>    

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;As I was listening to my husband relating to me the break-up
between Bob and his girlfriend; I began thinking what for me were the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.ibeatyou.com/competition/f562de/worst-break-up-excuses&quot;&gt;worst
ways to be left behind&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;He just disappears.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/strong&gt;
&lt;/span&gt;This I think is one of those things that just keep you hanging.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;It becomes extremely difficult to move on
when no closure has happened via some form of explanation why. Fear Kicks in
and makes people insecure not knowing if there’s something worng with them. &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;He has a relationship with another woman.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;That hurts because cheating and lying are
involved. &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Through a friend.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;/span&gt;Can
you believe hearing the bad news from the friend.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;This is just a piss off as it shows how
cowardice the person is.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;It is also
awkward for you as you feel that the whole world knows why you broke up.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;





&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Well Bob wants my husband to do #3.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;What an ass!&lt;/p&gt;

     &lt;p style=&quot;clear:both;&quot;&gt; 
    &lt;a href=&quot;http://maironawest.vox.com/library/post/worst-ways-to-be-dumped.html?_c=feed-rss-full#comments&quot;&gt;Read and post comments&lt;/a&gt;   |   
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&lt;/p&gt;
 
            </description> 
            <category domain="http://maironawest.vox.com/tags/">relationships</category>   
        </item> 
 
        <item>
            <title>5 Steps to being in Good in Bed from a woman’s point of view</title>
            <link>http://maironawest.vox.com/library/post/5-steps-to-being-in-good-in-bed-from-a-womans-point-of-view.html?_c=feed-rss-full</link>   
            <author>nobody@vox.com(Mairona West)</author>
            <comments>http://maironawest.vox.com/library/post/5-steps-to-being-in-good-in-bed-from-a-womans-point-of-view.html?_c=feed-rss-full</comments>
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            <pubDate>Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:57:28 -0700</pubDate>         
            
            <description>    

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Yesterday my husband was entertaining some of his friends in
my house.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;They’re normally rowdy but,
like women, the conversation always turns into a talk about women.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;In their case, the conversation about women
started with Bob telling the others about this girl that he met just last
week.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Now listen to how mean this is:&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;He says the girl was all that smart but she’s
good in bed and that he’ll continue seeing her because of that.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Now I found that to be a nasty thing to say
as it would seem that he’s just keeping her to satisfy his carnal needs.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;So I said, “What makes you think you’re good
in bed?”&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Now this question has plagued me for some time.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;I have often wondered what the criteria were
for good sex for men.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Does she have to
be flexible? Acrobatic? Servile? &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Bob answered, “Of course I am.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;She seemed satisfied enough.”&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Satisfied enough…. What exactly does that
mean?&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;This got me thinking.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160;
&lt;/span&gt;I concluded that for me sex is like sales.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Let me explain the 5 factors in sales in
relation to sex.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sales Talk&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;The first
part in making a sale is the sales talk.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160;
&lt;/span&gt;The seller has to condition the mind of the buyer by having conversation
and building rapport.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Good conversation
always preps up a girl.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;A man who knows
how to listen and to talk turns women on, more so, if they have a sense of
humor.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;So having good conversation is
preparing the girl for the sales pitch – sex.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Demo.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Now that the
customer is somewhat open to the product, you perform a demonstration of the
product so that the customer will get an idea or feel of the product.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;I consider foreplay the demonstration part of
sex.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Granted it is not the full product,
but foreplay will give them the proper idea if they’ll go ahead or not.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;For example, if they guy is a sloppy kisser
for sure the girl won’t continue. If foreplay is bad, the assumption is going
all the way won’t be worth it. You have to understand foreplay is very
important.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Some guys just want to make a
&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.ibeatyou.com/competition/f9b47b/best-pick-up-line&quot;&gt;sale without
any demo&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Just won’t work and even
if it does for sure the girl won’t have a blast.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Sale&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;If everything
has gone well, from the sales talk to the demo, then for sure the buyer will
purchase the product.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Given the good
conversation and the fantastic foreplay then the girl is ready to go.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;The same way that the guys want to be paid
attention to, it is important to note that girls need far more attention than
the guy.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;The product has to attend to
her needs and her needs usually take longer to satisfy.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;The product also has to be able to last
long.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;A product whose battery gets
easily expended usually is not satisfactory for the female client.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;After sales service.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160;
&lt;/span&gt;This is a very important facet of the product.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Normally some people after making the sale
will just leave the customer with the product and that’s it.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;After sales service increases the value of the
product.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;For a girl, after sales would
be a little bit more conversation and a bit of cuddling.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;When a guy gets up and goes and smokes a
cigarette without a word sucks.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Follow up.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Follow up
is usually under after sales service and is no longer a factor in being good in
bed but it would be nice if the guys follow up.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160;
&lt;/span&gt;It will make him good in bed as well as just plain nice and good.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;









&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Ok that’s my list.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;It’s
not the recipe to have a relationship but it will definitely give a girl a nice
time at the same time not make her feel that she’s nothing more than an object
to satisfy Bob’s needs.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;For sure, if
these steps are followed an imprint of the guy being good in bed will stay
forever and if she’s a kiss and teller she may just pass it around and
advertising by word of mouth can be provided. :-D&lt;/p&gt;

    &lt;p style=&quot;clear:both;&quot;&gt; 
    &lt;a href=&quot;http://maironawest.vox.com/library/post/5-steps-to-being-in-good-in-bed-from-a-womans-point-of-view.html?_c=feed-rss-full#comments&quot;&gt;Read and post comments&lt;/a&gt;   |   
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&lt;/p&gt;
 
            </description> 
            <category domain="http://maironawest.vox.com/tags/">romance</category> 
            <category domain="http://maironawest.vox.com/tags/">women</category> 
            <category domain="http://maironawest.vox.com/tags/">sex</category> 
            <category domain="http://maironawest.vox.com/tags/">relationships</category>   
        </item> 
 
        <item>
            <title>Still on married couples.....</title>
            <link>http://maironawest.vox.com/library/post/still-on-married-couples.html?_c=feed-rss-full</link>   
            <author>nobody@vox.com(Mairona West)</author>
            <comments>http://maironawest.vox.com/library/post/still-on-married-couples.html?_c=feed-rss-full</comments>
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            <pubDate>Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:36:02 -0700</pubDate>         
            
            <description>    

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;You know what…. After writing my post yesterday about the
ways to make a marriage work… I started surfing through the net…. And aimlessly
just clicked and clicked and clicked…. And then out of the blue I wondered why I
don’t start an online competition about the happiest couple around…..&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Well…I decided to go to my favorite competition site
Ibeatyou.com….. Apparently, there already is the cutest couple competition…&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Most of the pics there are about young couples who most
probably are in the honeymoon stage…. I would love to see couples married for
at least 25 years and still looking like newlyweds….&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Which now reminds me of this movie… the Notebook…. Yes it
was a bit melodramatic… but how nice it would be if you did find someone that
would you ‘til death do you part…..&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;Just ranting here………&lt;/p&gt;

     &lt;p style=&quot;clear:both;&quot;&gt; 
    &lt;a href=&quot;http://maironawest.vox.com/library/post/still-on-married-couples.html?_c=feed-rss-full#comments&quot;&gt;Read and post comments&lt;/a&gt;   |   
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&lt;/p&gt;
 
            </description> 
            <category domain="http://maironawest.vox.com/tags/">marriage</category> 
            <category domain="http://maironawest.vox.com/tags/">relationships</category> 
            <category domain="http://maironawest.vox.com/tags/">ibeatyou.com</category>   
        </item> 
 
        <item>
            <title>Want your marriage to work?  Here are some ways…..</title>
            <link>http://maironawest.vox.com/library/post/want-your-marriage-to-work-here-are-some-ways.html?_c=feed-rss-full</link>   
            <author>nobody@vox.com(Mairona West)</author>
            <comments>http://maironawest.vox.com/library/post/want-your-marriage-to-work-here-are-some-ways.html?_c=feed-rss-full</comments>
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            <pubDate>Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:15:37 -0700</pubDate>         
            
            <description>    

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;text-indent: 0.5in;&quot;&gt;I was once told by a divorced
friend that marriage is something he will not even recommend to his worst
enemy.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Well, he may sound bitter but in
all actuality marriage is hard.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;text-indent: 0.5in;&quot;&gt;I see some young people so in love
wanting to jump into marriage and “live happily ever after.”&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Happy ever after is a work in progress and
sometimes people get tired of working, get sick of working on the same thing
and just get frustrated that the work is not actually progressing.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;So people get out of it.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;That’s what’s nice, there is an exit
option.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;But even after exiting a
marriage, people still need to find that special someone that they will be able
to connect to on a different level which will eventually end in marriage more
often than not.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;I’ve been married for the past 7 years and it may not be
long enough for some but this are some ideas (at least mine) as to how your
marriage can work.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst&quot; style=&quot;text-indent: -0.25in;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;1.&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;
&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong style=&quot;&quot;&gt;Trust.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;text-indent: 0.25in;&quot;&gt;Trust in a
relationship is often associated with fidelity and although that is only one aspect
of trust we will begin with trusting your partner to be faithful.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;a.&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;u&gt;Fidelity&lt;/u&gt;
– Sometimes you hear your partner saying, “I trust you but I don’t trust that
man/woman. “&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;This is the bottom line, if
you say that you trust that person then it should end there.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;If you’re partner is attractive, it is
obvious that the opposite sex would try to get her/him.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;If you trust her/him then you would trust
her/him to be able to say no to any advances or temptation.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;b.&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;u&gt;Peer
Pressure&lt;/u&gt; – if you do not like her/his friends because they may influence
her to do something bad or dislikable, same as above, you will have to trust
her to avoid any shaky situations that her friends may recommend or induce her
to engage in.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;c.&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;u&gt;Honesty/Sincerity&lt;/u&gt;
– you will have to trust that your partner is telling the truth or is being
sincere about what he/she says.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Even if
you’re partner is honest/sincere if you do not trust his/her word, then honesty
becomes pointless. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;text-indent: 0.25in;&quot;&gt;It is true that
these can be used abusively by your partner, but that is the nature of
trust.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;It is like making an investment
in business – you have to dish out money before you can even make it.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;The same in marriage you have to open
yourself up before you can truly make it work.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160;
&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;text-indent: -0.25in;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;2.&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;
&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong style=&quot;&quot;&gt;Intimacy.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;text-indent: 0.25in;&quot;&gt;Intimacy is
brought about by sex and communication.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;a.&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;u&gt;Sex&lt;/u&gt;
- Some people may say that sex is not important.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;It is.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160;
&lt;/span&gt;It is important not just because we have physical needs but because it
can be the expression of appreciation, love and affection.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Appreciation because your partner still
desires you which signifies that to him/her you are still attractive.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Essentially, he appreciates your beauty.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Sex as a symbol of love is a no brainer.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Affection because it can be an opportunity
for your partner to make you happy or satisfied and vice versa.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;b.&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;u&gt;Communication&lt;/u&gt;
– We cannot possibly know what another person is thinking about unless we
talk.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;We are not mind readers.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Communication provides an avenue for you to
get to know your partner in a deeper level.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160;
&lt;/span&gt;Moreover, as time passes people change, constant communication will
allow you to keep track of the changes happening to your partner, to adjust, to
appreciate and hopefully, to grow with your partner.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;text-indent: 0.25in;&quot;&gt;Intimacy in both
sex and communication is very important because if you do intend to grow old
with your partner there will come a point wherein there will no longer be any
sex or even talking.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;However, if this
intimacy has been worked out earlier then when we get old with our partners,
the slightest touch, the most gentle holding of hands and a very simple look is
enough to show appreciation, love and affection and most of all these will be
enough to say what needs to be said.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;text-indent: -0.25in;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;3.&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;
&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong style=&quot;&quot;&gt;Understanding.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;text-indent: 0.5in;&quot;&gt;We all have our standards
when it comes to love and relationships.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160;
&lt;/span&gt;These standards are based on our upbringing, past experiences and
personality.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;We bring this into a
relationship and most of the times, if not always, we expect that our partner
meets these standards.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;They don’t and even
if they can meet some they can’t possibly meet all.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Furthermore, don’t even think that you can
change your partner to fit your standards. &lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;text-indent: 0.5in;&quot;&gt;Understanding goes
hand in hand with acceptance.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Once you
have accepted that you are different – different backgrounds, experiences,
lessons, standards, etc. – then maybe you can understand where your partner is
coming from, why he/she has certain beliefs, mores and behaviors.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;The manner in which he/she communicates or
expresses himself maybe different from yours and by accepting that difference
and understanding his way of communicating then maybe there will be less
friction and less expectation that will provide a comfortable half way point
where both of you can meet.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;text-indent: 0.5in;&quot;&gt;The expectation
that comes with these standards normally result in frustration, desperation,
unhappiness and pain and the only way I believe this can be solved is understanding.
&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;text-indent: -0.25in;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;4.&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;
&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong style=&quot;&quot;&gt;Forgiveness.
&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;text-indent: 0.5in;&quot;&gt;This is definitely
the hardest of the four ways to make a marriage work.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Sometimes I even think of it as an absolute
impossibility.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;But we are all
humans.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;We make mistakes.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Even with the best intentions sometimes we
may hurt our partners and this is normal.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160;
&lt;/span&gt;It is normal because we are different as mentioned earlier.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Sometimes what you think is best is worst for
your partner.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;What you think is sweet is
disgusting for your partner.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;text-indent: 0.5in;&quot;&gt;The sad part is
that there is a tendency to remember what was done wrong more than what was
done right. Why? Because we take what is right for granted.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;To do what is right is to be expected so no
special attention is given to this.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160;
&lt;/span&gt;However, when something wrong is done, it stands out.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;It hurts and pain is one form of negative
reinforcement our brain will always remember.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160;
&lt;/span&gt;Problem is this normally results in griping, bitterness, bickering,
etc.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;For every fight all the sins of the
past come to the fore.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;text-indent: 0.5in;&quot;&gt;The only way to
move on and continue working progressively on your relationship is to forgive
but that will not be possible without the 3 factors mentioned earlier on –
trust, intimacy and understanding.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;text-indent: 0.5in;&quot;&gt;Yes, forgiveness
is not easy but nobody said marriage would be easy either.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;&quot;&gt;Now I’m not going to be self-righteous and say, hey you don’t
have #3 or #2, then your relationship is doomed to fail. No, No, No.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;These are just what I’ve learned and what I’d
like to share with everybody else.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;It’s
not easy and it’s not a one-shot deal.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;Marriage
takes a lot of fortitude and a lot more love than expected.&lt;span style=&quot;&quot;&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;So far these have worked for me and I hope it
works for you too….&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoListParagraphCxSpLast&quot;&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;

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