Archive for the ‘Inspirational’ Category
101 Ways to Build Happy, Lasting Relationships
I can’t take credit for writing this article but I thought I would share it with those who visit my blog.
This article came from http://www.affirmations-for-success.com. It’s got a lot of good articles and ideas for happiness, relationships and positivity.
101 Ways to build happy, lasting relationships
There are hundreds of things you can do to better your relationship.
To help get you headed in the right direction, we have chosen 101 ways to build, strengthen, and enhance your relationship.
Remember, little steps taken every day will add up to big successes.
1. Start Over
When couples first get together, everything is new and exciting. They overlook the little annoying things the other person does. However, after time, the nagging starts, instead of hearing, “You look beautiful,” they might hear “Why are you wearing that shirt?” If this sounds like your relationship, first, the two of you need to sit down and be honest that things have changed. Identify the things each other did in the beginning of the relationship that created the attraction in the first place. Then together, make a commitment to start over. The truth is, both of you will have to work on this. It will not automatically be easy but it is possible. Start by forgiving each other, forgetting the past, and then start over with the flirtation. Focus only on the special things your mate does and relearn to put the unimportant things aside. It will take some time so be patient.
2. Schedule Time
Spending quality time together is crucial. This time can be with friends, dining out, attending a sporting event, or cuddling together while watching a favorite movie. The activity is not what is important but the fact that you are together, doing something that you both enjoy. People have extremely busy schedules and between work, family, the home, errands, and everything else going on, finding time for your mate can be difficult. Just as you would schedule a meeting on your calendar, show some courtesy in the relationship by scheduling time with each other. Once the plan is in place, no backing out unless you have some life and death emergency.
3. The Power Of Touch
When a child is ill, doctors will tell you that it is proven that a simple, loving touch of a parent can quickly pull the child through a crisis. It is the same for relationships. Playing with your mate’s hair, rubbing their hand, a soft kiss on the neck, a soft pat on the leg or giving a gentle back rub will make a huge difference in how your mate responds to you. When was the last time you walked up to your mate for no reason and without saying a word, affectionately placed a kiss on their neck? This is not in a sexual way, but an affectionate way. There is a difference. The next time the two of you are sitting in the car, at the grocery story, or standing in line at the theater, quietly reach over and take their hand. Do not be surprised if you get a strange look of curiosity the first time!
4. Surprise
If you and your mate have scheduled some time for a Friday night dinner, put together a surprise instead. For example, if your mate loves professional wrestling, buy some tickets near the front or if they like concerts, purchase the tickets ahead of time, getting the best seats possible. When Friday night comes around, insist on driving and head toward the location where the event is taking place. When asked where you are going, simply answer, “I have a surprise for you. I know you love professional wrestling so I purchased two great seats for tonight’s performance,” or “I know we had planned on going to dinner, but I wanted to surprise you with something special. I purchased tickets to see one of your favorite groups in concert.” The idea of you getting the tickets for something THEY like and then keeping it as a special surprise will touch their heart!
5. Needed Space
As important as it is to spend quality time together, it is equally important to give each other time to do something they like. If your mate loves to fish but you have no desire to bait a hook with little, slimy worms, or if you like to go to the casino but your mate would rather do something different, encourage each other to take time apart. Try establishing a set time for this very purpose, if possible. For example, perhaps you could determine that every other Friday night is “singles” night. This is not a time to date other people, but to enjoy preferred activities. Remember that you have to place trust in your relationship. If you try this and then drill them, to see what they did, whom they were with, and where they went, then the exercise has failed.
6. No Debates
If you know that you and your mate have proven differences in opinion on certain subjects, avoid those subjects. As an example, if you are a Republican and your mate is a Democrat, politics should probably be avoided. As the two of you identify new topics that could cause a debate session, stop the conversation before it even gets started.
7. Filler Talk
If you are married, especially with children, break out of the habit of talking about nothing. Many times, families will be sitting around the dinner table and the conversation consists of, “Do you like your carrots?”, or “I wonder what is on TV tonight?” Instead, change your strategy to include real questions, showing real interest. Replace the normal, “Did you have a good day at work?” with “Tell me what you did at work today.” Even if you do not understand everything being said, listen with interest. It is not that you are so much interested in the work, but your mate’s life.
8. Re-Establish Old Traditions
If you and your mate had a tradition of some kind when you first got together, dust it off and breathe life back into it. Perhaps you met after work on Friday at the local pub for a drink, washed your cars together every Saturday morning, or attended church together on Sunday. Whatever it was, re-establish the tradition.
9. Predictability
If asking couples the factors involved in the demise of their relationship, one of the common responses is that everything in the relationship is so predictable. When rebuilding a relationship, do not be afraid of letting go of boredom. If you normally hate the fact that Saturday afternoons consist of your mate sitting for hours watching football, fix some finger sandwiches and something cool to drink and go join them on the couch, or if your mate spends hours in the garden trying to make things look perfect, surprise them with a new flowering plant, and then help to plant it. When taking a walk with your mate, stop and give them a soft kiss, say, “I love you,” and then keep walking. Take some chances and do the unexpected.
10. Lighten Up
Often when couples have gone through or are going through some bumpy spots in their relationship, things tend to get serious. It could be that there is a tremendous amount of tension or perhaps they are not sure what to say. Regardless of the reason, learn to lighten up. Do not take every comment, glance, or movement as a serious problem. If your mate makes a mistake, which you both will, let it go, or if appropriate, laugh about it. If you make a mistake, do not be afraid to poke fun at yourself. This will automatically start the process of tension breaking.
Interesting History of Flower Customs
The blossoms you select for your wedding day are rooted in rich cultural and historical traditions. From ancient Rome and ancient Greece to the Middle East, we’ve gathered the best flower-related customs we could find. Read on for a bundle of floral trivia.
- In Thailand, the mothers of the bride and groom walk to the altar to drape puang malai — flower garlands — around the couple’s shoulders to wish them good fortune in their life together.
- Swedish and Danish grooms sew small pockets of strong-smelling herbs like garlic, chives, and rosemary into their clothes for good luck.
- The Indian groom’s brother sprinkles flower petals over the couple at the end of the ceremony to protect them from evil.
- Ancient Greek brides often carried ivy at their weddings as a symbol of their never-ending love for their sweeties.
- Ancient Roman brides carried bunches of herbs to symbolize fidelity and fertility — and to scare off evil spirits.
- The Victorians, who were fascinated by the meanings of different blooms, popularized the wedding rose, which represents true love.
- Also in Victorian ages, the bride originally tossed her bouquet to a friend as she left the festivities to keep that friend safe (by warding off evil spirits, of course) and to offer her luck; this came to mean that the single woman who caught the bouquet would marry next.
- In a Greek Orthodox wedding, crowns of orange blossoms were traditionally made for the bride and groom — they even matched the delicate embroidery on the bride’s dress. The blossoms symbolize virginity and purity because they are white and fragile, and they emit a sweet, delicate scent.
- In Tudor England, brides carried marigolds dipped in rosewater and ate them afterward, since they were thought to be aphrodisiacs!
- According to Italian tradition, the front grill of the Italian getaway car is decorated with flowers, paving the road to a happy marriage.
- In the Middle East, the bitter herb artemisia is incorporated into bridal bouquets to ensure that marriages will survive bitterness as well as sweetness.
- According to Indian tradition, both the bride and the groom sport a floral headpiece.
Inspirational Quotes
We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly. Sam Keen
The purpose of intimate partnership is for us to midwife the perfection in each other. Marianne Williamson
We realize that what we are accomplishing is a drop in the ocean. But if this drop were not in the ocean, it would be missed. Mother Teresa
Only when we give joyfully, without hesitation or thought of gain, can we truly know what love means. Leo Buscaglia
Did you ever see an unhappy horse? Did you ever see bird that had the blues? One reason why birds and horses are not unhappy is because they are not trying to impress other birds and horses. Dale Carnegie
Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend – or a meaningful day. Dalai Lama
Anything in life that we don’t accept will simply make trouble for us until we make peace with it. Shakti Gawain
The appearance of things change according to the emotions, and thus we see magic and beauty in them, while the magic and beauty are really in ourselves. Kahlil Gibran
Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair but manifestations of strength and resolution. Kahlil Gibran
True friends want nothing from you except the joy of your presence. No matter what you do, they will always be your friend. Paramahansa Yogananda
You must not let your life run in the ordinary way; do something that nobody else has done, something that will dazzle the world. Show that God’s creative principle works in you. Paramahansa Yogananda
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. Gandhi
Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don’t wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it’s at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored. Earl Nightingale
There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do. Freya Stark
The vision that you glorify in your mind, the ideal that you enthrone in your heart, this you will build your life by, and this you will become. James Allen
“From every human being there rises a light that reaches straight to heaven, and when two souls that are destined to be together find each other, the streams of light flow together and a single brighter light goes forth from that united being.” Ba’al Shem Tov
“You may try a hundred things, but love alone will release you from yourself. So never flee from love–not even from love in an earthly guise–for it is a preparation for the supreme Truth.” Yiddish Saying
Love never claims, it ever gives; love never suffers, never resents; never revenges itself. Where there is love there is life; hatred leads to destruction.-Mahatma Gandhi
