It's been said that when dealing with other people, NEVER discuss politics, sports or religion.

When you're in a relationship though, it's inevitable - and even important - for these things to be discussed. As long as the two of you don't let them get in the way of your relationship.

The two of you can see eye-to-eye on these issues. Or you two can be at different ends of the spectrum. You two can agree to disagree, or simply choose not to discuss it. It doesn't mean you love each other any less. It just means that the two of you are two separate and distinct individuals with your own preferences, beliefs and overall value system.

Just a reminder to all U.S. citizens out there: cast your vote today! If you love your country, show your love by exercising your right to vote.

Here's an article worth reading by all women out there, "Five Times You're Sexy to Men". You'll find that you already have what it takes. Check it out!

Hearing that line will probably make you cringe, or make you feel like Gary Busey ripped out your endocrine system. One usually hears that statement after a non-reciprocated declaration of love. If you heard it yourself, sorry that it didn't work out. If you said it yourself, did you really mean it? I hope and pray that you did.

Now, if you're in the shoes of the one who heard it, you're probably wondering, "is it really possible to be just friends? That person already knows how I feel about them!"

After you went out on a limb and took a chance, you were rejected. But sometimes, rejection isn't enough to drive a person away. Sometimes, they still have more in them to give. But pay attention - just friends means exactly that, just friends. You can hope, pray and wish that the person will change their mind, but don't count on it. Repeat, DON'T COUNT ON IT. Maybe it'll happen, but don't set yourself up for more heartache.

If they want to be a friend, let them be a friend. You can also be a friend to them as well. Just don't be too much of a good friend. Don't get too involved in their lives. Don't read too much into the friendship. Don't be the go-to pal. It'll be difficult not to do these things, after all, you love them. But you've got to protect yourself as well. You can be there for them, but not at the expense of living your own life. It might seem like true love to suffer that much, but why suffer unnecessarily? Reciprocated love is waaay better than long-suffering friendship.

Labels: dealing with it, friends, guide

I posted another article in eHow on "How to Cut Short A Lousy Date".

It's less of a how-to and more of a list of reasons/excuses you can give when you're on a less-than-exciting date.

Do check it out! Feel free to rate the article and leave comments as well.

When else but today can you spot a potential boyfriend from afar and still manage to go out with him even though you weren't able to make contact the first time you laid eyes on him? The Internet is helping real relationships come to life by providing more than countless dating sites, but by providing a place for people to try to find someone they've seen before, but didn't have the chance or the nerve to ask out, something that's now known as a missed connection. Craigslist in particular has quite a lot of missed-connection ads, and thanks to these, a lot of relationships have bloomed, although some have admittedly fizzled out. Still, it's nice to know that people can get a second shot at someone whom they thought they would never see again. This interesting CNN article takes a pretty good look at this new type of personal ad. Kind of makes you wonder if you've ever been someone's missed connection.

Granted, the show "Taboo" is long over and done with, but I still like the song "Love is a Question Mark". Here's the video courtesy of YouTube followed by the lyrics courtesy of LyricsOnDemand.



LOVE IS A QUESTION MARK (sang by Billy and Kim)

Kim:
Who can explain the attraction
I wouldn't know where to begin
Love can be faltered or founded
On the slightest thing

Billy:
I can't explain the attraction
I don't know where to start
Love's a peculiar feeling
It's a question mark

Billy and Kim:
But if you stick around
You might find me complicated
I'm difficult at times
But I'm worth it
Really worth it
Don't get too close
Don't be afraid
Don't say too much
If you don't mean it
I can be kind
I can be cold
I've got a heart
Haven't you seen it

Kim:
I can't explain the attraction
You're nothing special to me

Billy:
You've got the kind of beauty
That the eye can't see

Billy and Kim:
But if you stick around
You might find me complicated
I'm difficult at times
But I'm worth it
Really worth it
Don't get too close
Don't be afraid
Don't say too much
If you don't mean it
I can be kind
I can be cold
I've got a heart
Haven't you seen it
Don't get too close
Don't be afraid
Don't say too much
If you don't mean it
I can be kind
I can be cold
I've got a heart

Billy:
Haven't you seen it...

Kim:
Maybe you've seen it...

Picture this – he likes you and you like him. Everyone thought you were a couple, but you weren't. Almost, maybe, but it never quite reached that point. Eventually, you had a boyfriend and he had a girlfriend. Just not each other, of course. Then you lost touch for a long time and then got back in touch with both of you happily involved with your respective partners.

You found out what happened to him through the years when you lost touch. You tell him what went on in your life since the last time you saw or even spoke to him.

You both reminisce. Have a good laugh. You remember things that he doesn't remember; he remembers things that you don't remember. Recreating a joint history from separate memories – like making a quilt – and laughing together in the process.

The two of you conclude that really, you ARE better off as friends. Boyfriends and girlfriends came and went, but you two remain friends to this day. That surely beats any romantic entanglement.

Now you're both glad that your friendship stood the test of time. And grateful for the friendship that thankfully, never got past the platonic.