Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Is your relationship healthy?

Is your relationship healthy?

All too often, we talk about wanting to be in a long-term-until-death-does-us-part sort of relationship. There are many people out there seeking the love of their love. However sometimes seeking the love of your life can be an emotional roller-coaster. That roller-coaster may include some very good highs, and you may think you have found the one that you were meant to be with. Is your relationship healthy?

Emotional and verbal abuse is very hard to recognize. Physical abuse leaves a physical mark but the pain is a lot more then bruises or broken bones. Physical abuse turns into emotional abuse because it is hard to believe that someone you love would hurt you so much. This leads to insecurity about yourself, and doubts that you are the person you should be.

A healthy relationship is more then the lack of abuse. It is about fostering each others' growth and wanting to be there for each other no matter what the situation. A healthy relationship does not mean you do not fight, but that the lines of communication are open everyday. In a healthy relationship, you are free to speak your opinion without feeling inferior. Healthy relationships tend to grow each and everyday. Whether you are married, in a relationship or looking for a relationship make it a healthy one.  Check out: Five Ingredients for a Healthy Relationship. What are some signs of an unhealthy relationship?

Sunday, May 29, 2011

The Deal on Divorce

The Deal on Divorce

The information about divorce in America can be scary. It has often been said, “Half of all marriages in America end in divorce.” This is relatively close, but this statement does not include many factors. The age of those that get married, and the number of marriage each person is on will determine if they are more likely to get divorced.   Both men and women are more likely to get a divorce if they get married between the ages of 20-24. Percentages of divorce rates also go up with each marriage. First marriages have a divorce rate of 41%, second marriage are 60% likely to end in divorce. If an individual decides to get married again, the third marriage will end in divorce 73% of the time. Check out this page for more statistics on divorces in America: divorce rates.

In this chart, it shows that the united States are highest in divorce rates per 1,000 couples compared to seven other countries. The best country to be married in would be Italy. There divorce rate seems to be down to 0.7 out of 1,000. Why are divorces so uncommon in this country?

Check out this article to learn some steps to help save your marriage from divorce: Seven Steps that can save you marriage from Divorce.  

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Online Dating: does it really work

Online Dating: does it really work

We have all seen the commercials of ‘real’ couples that are matched up on the online dating sites such as eharmony. com or match.com. However, if you ever had the time to read the fine print at the bottom of your screen, it says ‘results not typical.’ So, what are the typical results? Well, I thought I would find out. My brother-in-law recently has had his heart broken and has decided to give the life of online dating a try once again. He has been trying this scene on and off for about four years with no real results. His chosen method is plentyoffish.com. Because of lack of finances, or the lack of faith, he is not subscribing to an upgraded profile. However, to give him some help, I did some research.

I found this article about Online Dating Tips for Men. I then helped him write his profile out, and then help him respond to a few girls he was attracted to. His name is Travis and he is 22. Although he is young, he is very eager to find a lasting relationship. He sees my marriage every day and thinks of it only as a reminder that he is alone. His is heart is still repairing itself from a hard breakup, but he wants to move on. Travis has agreed to allow us to follow his journey on the online dating scene to see if it works. Read here for more updates. Has anybody else found success with online dating?
 

Friday, May 27, 2011

Making the same mistakes: the dating cycle

Making the same mistakes: the dating cycle
 
There are excessively too many women out there that fall into the same dating cycle. Many women go into the world wanted to find their dream men, but end up with the wrong guys. These wrong guys seem to come from everywhere. Most of the time it may take more then once for a woman to realize that she has once again fell into the same dating cycle.

The wrong man can be any type of man; Silver Tongue, Commander, Marshmallow Man, Abuser and Mr. Right Now. Silver Tongues are players, and Commanders the guys that think they are superior. You may think you want a Marshmallow Man, but soon find out that you have to take care of him like another child. Abusers can sneak up on you and put you in a trap that can last for a very long time. Coming form a couple abusive relationships myself, these are the hardest ones to get out of. Usually the abuser has to decide it is over for you to leave or for outside forces to intervene. If you can find the strength to leave the first time something is not health, then you are stronger then most. Mr. Right Now can be a lot of fun, but will not last to “The Big Day.” Read more about these wrong men here: Dating Lessons.

This dating cycle will usually repeat itself a couple of times before we will value ourselves as worthy of someone that will treat us right. Know that wanting to be treated well is not too much to ask. Many women may find themselves in relationships with these men because they feel as if a man that is worthy will not like them. This is a clue of low self-esteem and not a true reflection of you. Have you dated any of these guys? How many times did it take you to get out of the dating cycle?

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Love and Fate: the best four letter words

Love and Fate: the best four letter words

Fate will bring you together with your true love. Perhaps this is a statement you believe in, or maybe, after years of being alone, you have given up on the idea of fate. Our previous relationships build us into the person we will be for our future spouses. This is our fate. When we are with the person we are meant to be with this is our love.

Fate and love work together to bring you to your “Big Day.” “The Big Day” is the day you say “I do” and promise to be next to someone for the rest of your life. A wedding is fate bringing you together with your love. Prior to this day, is the dating phase. Some bad relationships and heartbreak are what fate has in store for you. For some unlucky few, fate plays bad tricks and you think you have found the one true love only to find out this is not the case.

On your wedding, you believe fate has brought you together with the one you are supposed to marry. This is the ‘one’ that you spend your whole life searching for. This person becomes the one you want to wake up next to every day. The planning and excitement that surrounds these events cannot be compared to anything else. This is an event made unique by every couple.

After the wedding comes the hard part, marriage. Marriage means working things out to learn to live with each other everyday for the rest of your lives. Fate has now pulled you together and you must put up with all of the annoying habits and the unexpected turns to get their this thing you thought would be your happily ever after. No one ever told you that happily ever after would be so hard. However, with a little luck and a lot of patience, fate and love, as a couple you can make become a great love story.