Love Lesson

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Welcome to my blog, LoveLesson.com

Sit back, relax and check out some of the great articles. Because when it comes to the matters of the heart, we could all use a love lesson!

XOXO

Love and Romance - Understanding Emotions

In life we are taught a great many things, but for some reason we do not learn much about emotions! For most of us our emotions are something of a mystery. We know that we have them but have little idea where they come from or how we can experience them more positively.

A useful model developed, by psychologist Dr C. Spezzano, allows us to become more self-aware and to better understand our emotions. At any point in life, our emotions will be experienced from any of six different perspectives.

Denial > Resistance > Pain > Guilt > Fear > Love

Denial - Many of our fears and insecurities are hidden beneath the surface of our conscious minds and we can therefore be completely unaware of them and how they affect our lives. We are often in denial of these insecurities - an unconscious strategy designed to avoid us having to face the emotional pain that we believe might overwhelm us if we were to unearth our hidden fears. We hide them away for protection and then try to get on with life. Unfortunately, these insecurities have a nasty habit of reappearing in our lives as emotional trauma, relationship difficulties and even health problems.

Resistance - Life will through all sorts of challenges at us and these will raise the emotional temperature. In a struggle to keep our insecurities at bay and avoid feeling our negative emotions we will tend to resist anybody or anything in life that might trigger these unpleasant sensations. This normally involves some form of compensatory behaviour or distraction from anything that could trigger our pain. Trying to be very successful in education or work to gain approval, or trying to be a really 'nice' person would be typical examples of compensations, but there are many, many more.

Pain - Sooner or later, usually due to traumatic events in our life, the resistance is broken and we begin to feel emotional pain. Our reaction is to either bury it again through more resistance and denial or hand the pain to somebody else - we tend to blame other people for our negative emotions. This is what happens in bad behaviour, arguments and rows as we judge and project our pain outwards into the world.

Guilt - Under our tendency to blame other people for our problems is a usually unconsciously held belief that, in fact, we are to blame. This guilt is based around our low self esteem and unworthiness that we take on at a very early age and comes out of a belief that we have let people down (often our parents) and hurt people in some way. Self-blame and guilt are always mistakes and much of our work focuses on letting go of these damaging emotions. More information on Guilt & Low Self Esteem

Fear - All these negative emotions are actually hiding our deeply buried fears. There will be many different fears that we are unwilling to deal with, but ultimately these will boil down to our fears about being abandoned, rejected and unloved. As we gain confidence and greater emotional awareness we are able to feel, understand and let go of these fears.

Love - As we face and heal our fears, rather than suppressing or denying them, we discover that they hide our natural state - that of love, spirit and pure positive energy. As we strip away the pain, guilt and fear we are left with the beauty of our essence - full of creativity, abundance and joy.

We usually experience these emotional responses sequentially. They appear as layers in our reaction to people and events in our lives. Our negative emotions can be understood as our defence mechanism to avoid feeling pain, guilt and fear, that usually originates in our childhood. If we want to gain more emotional awareness and maturity we need to work down through our emotional layers and heal or our insecurities and fears. By understanding the layered nature of emotions we begin to understand why we have certain thoughts and feelings and also understand the people around us better.

Ultimately we can let go of all the negative emotions and bring more love into our lives and improve our relationships and romantic experiences.

To learn more about this model and how it can be used, please visit our website - details below.

Peter Granger is an acclaimed relationship counselor and life coach. He runs relationship and self-development workshops in the UK. He has recently launched a book called 'How to Find True Love' - The Secrets of Love, Romance and Successful Relationships. For more free relationship advice and information about his book, go to iloveyouloveme.com

Create More Romance In Your Life

Ah, romance, that wonderful and exciting feeling, that most glorious intertwining of two hearts. So intense, such a high, but so fleeting, and so often for so many once gone never to return. But does it have to be that way? Can we intentionally create and sustain more romance in our lives?

Most folks profess to want more romance in their lives. Indeed, for some, romance is a goal unto itself, or at least high on the list of goals for their love relationships.

But if having romance in our committed love relationships is a highly prized goal, and if so many people want more of it in their lives, how can we create, cultivate, and encourage it? What concrete steps can we take to make sure that romance takes seed and flourishes?

The purpose of this article is to explore the idea that romance begins in your heart-center and grows outward, and is, to some significant degree, a reflection of how you feel about yourself. In other words, by romancing yourself first you can create the conditions that allow you to experience and express romance with another more easily.

Listen: your capacity to love and accept yourself is the measure of your capacity to love and accept others. The same can be said for romance: your ability and willingness to create romance within is the measure of the romance you can help create in a committed loving relationship.

True romance isn’t just about flowers and poems. Flowers and poems are great, of course, but are really just an extension of a feeling that comes from within, something that starts in, and flows from, the heart. Without that heart-felt feeling, flowers and poems are but an attempt be to romantic, not an expression of true romance.

So how do you create more romance in your life? Begin by romancing yourself. Love, accept, and forgive yourself on a deep level. Treat yourself with respect and understanding. Buy yourself flowers. Write yourself a poem. Treat yourself with respect and dignity. And remember: if you don’t love yourself first, you can’t truly love another.

And remember that it is far more important to be the right person than to find the right person. Our relationships are a reflection of the relationship we have with ourselves. Romance, too, is a reflection of that inner state. By first creating romance within, you’ll be well on your way to creating more romance in your life.

Mark Maxwell is a saxophonist and composer whose company, Romantic Sax Music, creates and distributes music that facilitates romance and harmony. Romantic Sax Music: Romancing Your Heart...Soothing Your Soul

Rekindle Romance With Thoughts

Romance is in the mind. If anybody thought that body has anything to do with romance, he/she must rethink. Romance is in the mind and the heart. Romance is in the eyes. Romance is in words. Romance is in music. Romance is in beauty.

Imagine looking at a wreck. Now think of romance. You will fail. Go to a spot of beauty, say a mountain range. You will not have to think of romance. It will happen. Similarly listen to some noises and think about your sweetheart. You will not be able to. Now put on some lovely music and your thought will automatically turn to your darling. Romance has to do with senses. The senses receive stimuli and take us to the phase of romance. If you can combine a beautiful sight, with lovely music and love thoughts, you will be creating a romantic atmosphere in a short time. You will not have to do it. It will happen.

We all face typical problems. We work most of the times in surroundings that are highly unromantic. No four walls, full of cubicles and people working on their computers can by any stretch of imagination be called romantic. What if you download a screensaver that combines beautiful visuals, lovely music and text that can create love in no time? You will feel romantic watching it even sitting in the same work place full of cubicles. Am I right? You can do it now. Such screensavers are being offered on the Internet. You have a large choice and can download as many as you want at no cost. Whenever you are feeling unexcited and tired with your work, remove the stress and go in the mood of romance with such screensavers that are full of love thoughts.

Romance is enchanting. Romance is life giving. If you are in romantic love, please don't waste any time. Enjoy the love as much as you can. One day, that love will disappear. It is like a small kid. Parents who miss loving their kid when he/she is small, find that after some years they can never do that. The clock does not turn back. Same applies with romance. Bring romance thoughts in front of you and enjoy the bliss now.

CD Mohatta writes for ecards and online greetings, screensavers and desktop wallpapers. He writes articles on love, dating and marriage He also writes for Desktop wallpapers - free desktop wallpapers. These are static wallpapers which can be your computer desktop background all the time. Read the messages and get inspired all day. He also writes for fun -quizzes. Here, you can take personality and other quizzes to find out about yourself and your relationships.

Simple Ways to Woo Enigmatic Hubby

It is so baffling that you just cannot come to terms with it. Gone are the days when starry-eyed your husband transported you to heaven by swearing that his very life depended on that smile of yours. Now his coldness has wiped away the smile from your face. Gone, too, are the days when mere sagging of your step chilled his heart. Now, even if you are drooping with fatigue, he has no eyes to see.

Tell your husband to come home early as you wish to spend the evening with some of your school friends and he is sure to be caught in a traffic jam but when a friend of his asks for some help he will do the near-impossible for him in time. Ask him to buy something for you on his way home and right enough, he will forget it. If you quiz him on Sensex figures over the past few months, pat comes every answer. Wear something trendy and eye-catching and he won't even notice it but let him see a passer-by in a smart outfit and he will be dazzled by her looks.

It hurts and mystifies you, for you just cannot understand how to deal with this enigmatic personality, this male version of Mary-Mary-Quite-Contrary that is your husband but do not be alarmed. You have just to gain some insight into a man's nature to find out the reason for his behaviour.

"A man's heart," it is said, "is a sanctuary where he enshrines only one but there are several antechambers that are seldom vacant." These words, written by a wise guy, say it all.

Now that you are securely lodged in the sanctuary of his heart, he finds no reason for wooing you any longer but directs his attention to making forays into the world around to fill his vacant antechambers. Not understanding his needs, you feel neglected but there's no reason for fear, lady. No reason at all! From your exalted position you can still keep him close to you and here's how:

Nagging is a mortal offence in marriage. Do not ever provoke your husband by saying, "Why did you hide your real face behind a mask before marriage? Had I known what kind of a person you are, I would never have married you." Such words can only send a marriage hurtling down to the point of no return.

HANDLE MALE EGO TACTFULLY

The male ego is a fragile thing which needs to be handled with care rather than crushed under your heel. Diminishing his image hurts his self-esteem as nothing else does. It is something no man will tolerate. So, instead of traversing the negative path of nagging and wounding, try the positive approach of healing, and winning over with wiles and smiles and see for yourself how effective it is.

A niece of mine once tackled an electric repair job on her own when repeated requests and reminders to her husband did not succeed in getting it done. That evening in front of some friends, she had a different story to tell. "Oh Ralph fixed it up for me and now the gadget is working perfectly. He is very good at such jobs," she said, much to my surprise.

Later, in response to my puzzled queries, she offered me an explanation, "If I had said that I had done it on my own, it would have hurt Ralph's pride and he would have been grumpy for days together attacking me all the while for running him down. I would rather let him take the credit for what he hasn't done than live with a sulking husband. These words are revealing and show how important it is not to run down your husband or expose his sins of omission and commission in front of others.

The male ego needs to be pampered and what better way can there be than for the wife to lose a little in order to soothe and coddle that bundle of contradictions that is her husband?

Your husband may win kudos for being a live wire at work and so helpful to everyone around, but at home he is only a couch potato that will not stir. You feel rattled when your son raises a hue and cry that Dad has not repaired his bicycle. Tempted though you are to attack him, do not ever say, "That's your Dad. He has time to do everybody's jobs but not ours." It may be perfectly true but giving voice to such feelings is setting your own house on fire.

Try a mild challenge instead and say, "I don't think Dad's up to it. It must be far too complicated for him, otherwise he would have done it before this. Let's take it to the cycle repair shop this evening and get it fixed." Unable to tolerate this question mark on his abilities, he is sure to bristle up and respond, "Who says I'm not up to it? Here, let me see what's wrong," and while he tries to prove his worth, you'll get the work. done. Do you wish to have your husband's help or expertise in something you are planning to do, but are afraid to request him because he may perversely turn you down? Just pretend to the contrary and act as if you don't need his help at all. His pride will be hurt and he will rush to your aid.

"Our mixie is giving trouble and there's an exchange offer. I'm going this evening to get another one. I hope you'll be at home when the children come back," says Michelle cleverly planning her move.

"You can't go and buy a mixie on your own. You may get duped," objects her husband. "Of course not. Do you think I'm so gullible?" "No, no. Such purchases need attention. I'll come with you," he insists in spite of protests and Michelle cleverly gets what she wants. Perverse moods can be confronted with tricky moves and your objective can be achieved without a word of nagging.

Defeating your husband at his own game is not everything. You need to woo him too, actively, fervently and craftily. Do you remember your courtship days when you were so eager to look your best? You spent hours picking and choosing your clothes, trying different hairstyles before the mirror and looking for ornaments that would enhance your looks. All your energies were directed towards enchanting him by looking gorgeous. Do you do that now?

When I reminded a young woman a few days ago that she was neglecting her looks, she replied, "Who cares? I'm married now." Being married is all the more reason for nursing that hour glass figure and those dewy fresh looks with which you had cast a spell on your husband-to-be.

For the twin reasons that a man can never forget the image of the woman he fell for and loves to show her off to the world you need to sport those good looks at all times.

Marriage is no licence for dowdy figures, unkempt hair and frowning faces. Not lovers alone but husbands too need to be charmed by good looks. So, go for that stunning figure and winning ways you once had and your husband will always be the lover that he was.

BETTER INITIATION

"If my wife is in a good mood I stay at home, if not, I just walk away," says one husband. No man enjoys the company of a shrewish, bawling, complaining wife. So, to keep your husband by your side, put zing into his day with your upbeat mood. Wipe off that scowl from your face and put a smile in its place. Look cheerful, act cheerful, have a spring in your step and a tinkle in your tone, especially when your husband is in a foul mood. Do not let his grumpiness infect you but let your lightheartedness brighten him and he will bless you as the mood-enhancer he can't stay away from.

"My husband and I quarrel often and very bitterly too and when it comes to making up, both of us are too proud to initiate the first move. So, do you know what we do?" asks a long-married friend of mine. "After a while one of us narrates a few jokes or tells a funny story to the children within the other's hearing and as bright laughter breaks out, moods mellow and differences are forgotten.

Finding reasons and occasions to laugh aloud and often, is a good way of keeping up a joyous tempo in the house. Infectious and amnesic as it is, lots of laughter around can thaw the icy coldness that freezes a couple's feelings.

The beginning of marriage need not signal the end of romance. Marriage needs a lot of sugar and spice to make it palatable and romance is what makes it deliciously sweet and tangy. So, relive all those happenings in your courtship that meant so much to both of you, speak of them and celebrate them, for love can be kept alive by fond memories. Take time off from work, household duties and children to sit side by side in the moonlight, or to just walk down the lane far from the madding crowd.

A simple holding of hands, a meaningful meeting of eyes and sweet nothings whispered into each other's ear is what love feeds upon and marriage thrives on a diet of love. So, always remember that romance in marriage is the surest way of seeing that your husband is not overly eager to fill the many antechambers of his heart.

The same faces, the same voices, the same surroundings can well bore anyone as the years roll by. So, to drive away monotony from your marriage take care to see that your life does not revolve just round the cooking range and the washing machine but bring some novelty into your home life. Rearrange the rooms, give them a new look by redecorating them, arrange picnics and outings, attend a concert or two with your husband and spend time in recreational places whenever you can.

So also try some surprises by varying the type of meals you serve, the kind of clothes you wear and the routine you stick to. Every little change can help to drive away boredom and bring novelty into your days and every successful change will make your rating soar in your husband's eyes. If you are a torch that lights up your marriage, your husband will flutter round you like an insect round the light.

TEMPT WITH FOOD

That the route to a man's heart is through his stomach is a truism that is ancient but can never age. To keep that enigmatic husband of hers from straying away, a wife needs to be adept at cooking.

"I hate to cook," "It's so tiring and boring," and "Why bother?" are all excuses that can drive a man away from home and wife. Food is the sustenance of life and love and in the uneven war between man and woman it is the unfailing weapon Nature has given a woman to win over her husband.

Why not make use of it and tempt your man with mouth-watering preparations? Time and effort spent on it are sure to earn rich dividends in the business of marriage.

Husbands are not made to order and we have to make do with what we have. Wishing you had a perfect husband is like longing for the moon. Sighing for one who will always dance to your tune is asking for a henpecked one which is an aberration in marriage. So, what is the way out?

Considering that variety is the spice of life, a flawless husband would not solve any problem as you would still be wanting to find fault with somebody. But, why not accept with grace what is yours? If he is difficult, try to tame him, if he is aloof, try to win him over, and if he is on the rampage, try to woo him back. This will give you enough to do with never a dull or boring moment in your married life. What more can you ask for?

About the Author - Michael Douglas is a relationship expert and a marriage counseler. He provides tips and advice on how to keep love alive and put the romance back in your marriage and relationships. Adopt his recipe for a happy marriage to build healthy and successful relationships forever!

Love and Romance - Tips for Married Couples

There are many ways of showing love. Love and romance means much to a lot of people, but unfortunately many couples whether married or not are not pleased with this part of their relationship. In this specific area a marriage enrichment is often needed, especially for couples who have been married for some years. Although hearing the words, “I love you” is special and important, sometimes you wish you could tell your mate as well as hear from your mate those words, but in a more special and unique way. Here are some ideas of how this can be accomplished:

Rent his favorite movie, even if it is something you do not like, and plan an evening alone where you can be with him as he enjoys his special treat.

when she gets out of the shower, hand her a warm, cozy towel just heated in the dryer.

When you make him pancakes, first pour the words, “I Love You” on the griddle and cook for a minute to brown. Then, pour more batter over the words to create a round pancake. The result will be a pancake displaying those three special words when you flip it over.

While he is out of town, wash his car and surprise him by picking him up in a clean, shiny car at the airport.

Take her out to lunch.

Have his favorite breakfast on the table along with the morning newspaper.

Instead of bugging him to go to the grocery store with you, let him stay home.

Display your favorite picture of the two of you on the refrigerator.

Buy her a subscription to his favorite magazine.

Beyond telling your mate that you love them, that they are special, and having passion in your relationship, you should adore your mate and what they bring into the relationship. What this means is, appreciate and love them for the person they are, faults and all. This is true devotion to your mate and it demonstrates that you do not take them for granted.

About the author - Terje Brooks Ellingsen is a writer and internet publisher. He runs the website 1st-Self_Improvement.net. Terje is a Sociologist who enjoys contributing to the personal growth and happiness of others. He tries to accomplish this by writing about self improvement issues from his own experience and knowledge. For example, finding internet resources for career development as well as romance and other relationship issues.

Love And Romance - Happy Couples Make The Relationship Fun For Both Partners

When I talk about the absolute importance of play to the long-term success of a relationship, couples sometimes look at me in disbelief. Are you kidding? Play? Who cares about playing? That's for kids! Who's got time?

But . . . show me a couple who has lost their zest for having fun and I'll show you a couple whose relationship is b-o-r-i-n-g! And a couple whose hidden relationship problems may be keeping them from having fun.

Play is so critical to the success of a romantic relationship it's hard to overstate it. If you want to give your relationship a shot of adrenalin, try using a strategy I often recommend to my clients. Sometimes it's even possible for a couple to rescue their relationship by simply having more fun!

It will help you to have a healthier relationship and keep your relationship young and vital.

Strategy

Find, steal, take or make more time to play and enhance your relationship . . . and watch it become a more loving one.

You can begin by writing in a play-date on your calendar. No matter how long you've been together, a couple can benefit from a little more play time. So why not make a date to go out and have some fun?

But be careful . . . don't fall into this trap - a trap I've seen many times when working with married and unmarried couples.

Whenever couples try to play more, one partner often tends to arrange a play activity that he/she likes but the other one does not!

For example, a spouse who loves to bowl sets up an outing to the bowling alley. He or she has a good time, but the other spouse, who is not a good bowler, hates every second of it! The couple gets discouraged because they can't seem to have fun together.

It's important not to start a competition. Or to have one partner teaching the other how to learn a new sport or skill. What happens is not play, but frustration . . . it's stressful and little fun.

Do Something You Both Like

A better choice is to select an activity that both partners will look forward to doing. The idea is to make it as much fun as possible for BOTH.

To make this easier, each partner can write a list of recreational and play activities that he/she really enjoys. Then the two can choose an activity that is on BOTH lists.

Tips

Also, it is wise to avoid heavy conversations or problem solving discussions when you begin the activity. Just go and have a good time. Forget about your problems and keep it as stress-free as possible.

Case Example

One of my couple clients decided they wanted to do something different. So they went to play video games at a popular game room - one mostly kids frequent. This was a new experience for them, as they had only played games at home.

Well, they played as hard as children and had the time of their lives.

Now they are hooked on playing arcade games together, and make time to go as often as possible. Be willing to learn from this successful couple and try new things!

You and your partner can get closer and have more fun together if you find more time for fun and games! The more responsibilities you have, the more stressful your life, the more you need to find time for play in your marriage or romantic relationship.

Remember: no serious talks and no competition . . . just throw yourselves into the activity and have fun enjoying each other's company. And laugh all you can.

Laughter is one of nature's greatest anti-depressants.

If you let go of your inhibitions and play like the child you used to be, your relationship will soar to new heights, your love will grow stronger and your sex life may sizzle like never before!

Richard Hamon is a professional therapist and coach with over 25 years of experience. His business, Relationships For Success Coaching, helps people to improve their relationships and enjoy success in all areas of their lives.

Richard has written a unique eBook, The Ultimate Relationship Solution: How Secrets Discovered From A Near Death Experience Can Help You Ignite Passion and Realize Success in All Your Relationships. The eBook tells about an actual Near Death Experience the author had in 2003, which transformed his life and led to a series of insights, revelations and secrets about relationships.

You can find Richard's eBook, The Ultimate Relationship Solution at ultimate-relationship-solution.com/

Re-Capture Romance And Bring It Back Into Your Life

As life gets more and more busy and as the responsibilities pile up on your plate, such as your career and family, it can be hard to pay attention to the smaller things that make life pleasant. One of the things that you may notice slipping is romance. How can you recapture romance and bring it back into your life and relationship? Understanding the simple philosophy of Feng Shui can improve your romantic life quickly and easily. By creating an every day life full of balance and harmony, you will find romance returning and improvement in your most important relationship, that with your lover or potential mate. With Feng Shui and romance, you must remember that you and what is important to yourself comes before anything else.

If your goal is to improve Feng Shui and romance, it is essential to understand what the love center or romance area of your home is. This romance center is to the far right corner of your house from the entrance, or it is the far right corner of every room that you enter. Focusing on this area of your home or in each room will increase your Feng Shui and romance. A way to improve the romance area is to create a feeling of comfort and relaxation. Do this with smart decorating and design choices, such as using pleasant colors and freeing the area of clutter. You want to have an inviting space that encourages intimacy. When you have a warm and welcoming space, you will find romance flowing more freely through your house and within your life.

An important concept to keep in mind when it comes to Feng Shui and romance is to rid your current life of any past romances. This is simple to do – remove any associations with these past relationships, including mementos and pictures. Once you have done this, you will find it easier to bring a new romance into your life. You may even consider replacing your bed and other bedroom furniture if it has connections with your old love. This change may be more drastic, but it will create an atmosphere that will welcome a new and successful romance.

Other items to remove from your bedroom, and important place in the home for Feng Shui and romance, are objects that are related to other activities that have nothing to do with love. These items include your television, exercise equipment, and personal computer. These everyday objects can be more appropriately placed in other areas of the house where they won't affect the peaceful energies you are trying to create in the bedroom. If these items must remain in the bedroom, try to shield them from view by using a screen or curtain.

Feng Shui and romance in the bedroom can be enhanced by furniture arrangement. When it comes to bed placement, you want to make sure that it is situated as far from the entrance door as possible, although you still want the bed to be within sight from the doorway. A solid headboard is another physical feature that encourages Feng Shui and romance by representing the solidity of the relationship you are pursuing.

Another simple physical aspect to tackle when improving the Feng Shui and romance in your bedroom is to remove any unnecessary clutter. This also applies to any other area of the house, but when it comes to romance it is most essential to clear the bedroom of unsightly and nonfunctional clutter. This includes objects lying on the floor, or excessive decorations on top of your dresser. Clutter certainly does not encourage intimacy and will detract from the atmosphere of romance that you are trying to build with Feng Shui.

Another simple trick is to create the feeling within the bedroom that you are not single, even if you aren't currently in a relationship. Do this by placing a second pillow on your bed and making extra room in your bathroom and closet. This is a good way to use Feng Shui and romance to encourage a potential new love. Also, be sure that the artwork within your bedroom is a reflection of romance by avoiding landscapes that appear lonely or photographs of a single person. Good artwork to include on the walls or on your dresser are pictures of things in pairs, such as two flowers or two animals. These simple measures will encourage romance and love to blossom within your bedroom and life.

A great Feng Shui and romance tip is to bring in living elements from the outdoors. Fresh flowers or an attractive plant are objects that can be incorporated into your home for encouraging a pleasant atmosphere and romance. Of course, do not keep around wilting or dried up flowers, as these will harm your levels of Feng Shui and romance within the home.

To encourage romance within your life, concentrate on the love that is already present, including your family and friends. Embracing this love will create a welcoming attitude for romantic love. Feng Shui and romance will flourish throughout your home and life if you keep a positive spirit that is open to the possibility of a new love.

About the Author: Candace Czarny,ASID,CFM,LEED AP, "Award Winning" Interior Designer, Feng Shui Expert & author. artofplacement.com is continually ranked "Top 10" in Google and Yahoo. Clients testify of dramatic results!

Romantic Meals On A Budget

Food and romance go hand in hand. But, if you’re on a budget, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to show your sweetie that you love him. You can have a romantic meal at home – for the cost of a regular meal. The food you choose is not nearly as important as the atmosphere you create. You could easily make a very romantic meal from pizza or sandwiches if you take the time to create the perfect ambiance in the room.

Choose your main dish according to your partner's favorite dishes. There's no point in feeding him something he dislikes. Plus, an upset stomach is not very romantic, so take his food preferences into account when planning.

Appetizers are a great way to dress up any meal. Some favorite romantic additions include asparagus, artichokes, oysters, black beans, strawberries, and chocolate.

The presentation of your meal is more important than the foods you serve. Keep things simple and mix flavors and textures, giving the meal contrast and different shapes. Plan ahead and prepare everything you can in advance so that your final meal preparation goes quickly. Romantic foods can include almost anything if you serve the meal with soft candlelight and music.

Here are some additional tips to plan that perfect romantic meal:

Decorate your table with tall candles and inexpensive flowers placed in a glass vase.

Add a pretty tablecloth and cloth napkins to add elegance to your romantic meal.

Fold your napkins into decorative shapes and use napkin holders made from colorful paper with romantic massages or poetry written on the paper.

Use your best dishes or simply purchase 2 plates in a discount or thrift store.

Strawberries dipped in chocolate are not only yummy, but they are very romantic.

Purchase inexpensive fortune cookies with romantic fortunes inside for a little excitement if you desire.

Use your imagination instead of your credit cards to create a romantic meal that neither of you will soon forget. You’ll be able to relax and enjoy your romantic meal, knowing that you aren’t going into debt enjoying it.

About the Author - RomanceYourHusband.com is a website dedicated to helping married couples stay friends and to help them remember why they married each other in the first place. Our disclaimer is: If he’s a jerk, this won’t work. But, if he’s sweet, rub his feet.

Dating, Romance, Love And Marriage - How To Meet The Right Woman

So you are the knight in shining armor? The problem is, you don't have a princess to defend with. Let me share you something that is sitting right there, under your nose: "Women are everywhere and the right woman is one you can see strolling at the mall, bookstore, coffee bar, internet dating sites, work, clubs, etc." Now that you know that you realize that you don't to be somewhere special to meet the right women, the next thing your should learn is the art of the actually meeting her.

Here are the ways:

First, show confidence! You may not be aware of this but women are shyer then you are. Most women, especially those who are looking for the right man, love to be approached as well. So better get on your knees, approach someone and initiate a good conversation. Easier said that done right? One word my friend: "confidence!" Shaking knees and a mumbling mouth are things you should never have. Opportunity knocks only once so better grab it. If you see someone you like, approach her. With a right timing and proper approach, you will end up seating with her at a coffee bar all the way to a dinner table. Also, women love to see men who bear confidence. While this may not be an overnight success, you can always have your confidence developed. As they say, "right practice makes perfect", so practice, practice, and practice more. Start at your office and talk to women colleagues. Then initiate a conversation with the waitress at a restaurant or the cashier at the grocery. As you build confidence through casual conversations with people, you let go your shaking knees and mumbling mouth.

Second, master the art of conversation. Now that you have finally had the guts to approach women, you should know how to initiate a conversation. Your first words will really make the difference between a "yes" to a dinner or a something like this: "Hi, what's your name" and she replies "Hi, I'm leaving". Pick up lines like, "Gee, that's a nice set of legs, what time do they open?" or "Am I dead, Angel? Cause this must be heaven!" are something that will definitely end a conversation that hasn't begun at all. Make good at this by being sincere, being spontaneous, and not sounding so desperate. Again, it takes practice so if your first approach to a woman at the mall is not successful, do not stop trying. A good sense of humor is always a winner to good women so have them on your reserve and take them out when necessary.

An approach and conversation is not enough. You still need the follow up. So the third thing you should do is to know how to keep a woman wanting. A first date can only have a take two if the woman finds that you are interesting so keep her guessing. Do not tell everything about yourself during the first date. Not only you will dominate the whole conversation and piss your date off, you will also have nothing to say on your second date if ever it will happen. Keep her wanting like the "Arabian Nights".

Most men think that pampering their lady will keep her wanting him. The fact is, it is entirely the exact opposite. Did you ever wonder why many women love "bad boys"? It is because "bad boys" give no regard with women in the way they treat them. Women who are often pampered by men feel that they have the need to get everything they want so they are on a hot pursuit to "bad boys" who keep on playing hard to get.

Finally, meeting the right men does not end up on having the right confidence, knowing the proper way approach, and keeping women wanting because a meeting the right women may not end on a single try. You may have dated a woman and have successfully done all these 3 but still, she does not fit to the definition of "the one" for you. Meeting the right woman is a never-ending process until you are finally convinced that she is "the one".

About the Author - Chloe is a marketing executive with Meet2Go.com. She graduated from the UK's leading university and has over 8 years experience working at the largest ad firms in NYC and London. She is currently in charge of marketing and promotions for Meet2Go.com. Meet2Go is an activity based dating website that allows you post activities, or browse posted activities, and make new friends through common interests.

Dating, Romance, Love And Marriage - How To Meet The Right Man

If you’re looking for “Mr. Right”, and keep finding “Mr. Give me a Try”, then you may not be going about it the right way. The last thing you want, is to become another lonely, desperate soul who chases everyone away because you’re trying to get married quickly. If you play your cards right, and can stay calm, cool, and collected, you may improve your chances of finding “Mr. Right”. Here are a few tips that I have to offer:

First, know what you’re looking for. Finding the perfect man should start with a definition of what you call, “Mr. Right”. Keep in mind that it will differ from your best friends, and that’s okay. That just means the two of you won’t be competing (as much!). Don’t be surprised if you’re sights have been narrowed over the years. You’re just getting a better idea of whom you are compatible with and your chances of success increase with each new parameter. Most of all, don’t force something that isn’t there.

Second, be patient. There’s no rush and rushing into things will only cloud your judgment. There’s nothing wrong with going out with the first person that asks you, but keep that in mind. There will be plenty more, so if he doesn’t meet your criteria and seem like the ideal person for you, then you’re free to thank him for the great evening and move on. The evening of companionship will be nice, but don’t expect him to be the one to remove you from your life of solitude and loneliness.

Third, if you’re in a relationship and he doesn’t fit your criteria, you must reevaluate why you are with him. Just because you have someone to date, doesn’t mean that he’s the right one for you. Being with him may cause you to miss other opportunities that could send your “Mr. Right” into the arms of another woman.

Fourth, if things aren’t working out --- network. Enlarge your circle of friends and try going out with new people. If you spend most of your time with co-workers, then try to look up old college friends through the alumni association. Join a new gym or start shopping at a new grocery store. “Mr. Right” is out there, you just need to increase your chances of bumping into him. Don’t forget to try social networking websites, like Meet2Go.com, parties, wine tasting events, and “fun runs”.

Fifth, volunteer. Even if you’re not turned on by the thought of working for free, if you’re not an outgoing person this is a great opportunity to be forced to be socially active with another person, or other people. When choosing events, think first about where you’re likely to find “Mr. Right”. Will he be working at the local soup kitchen on Saturday morning, or helping walk dogs at the animal shelter? Try and choose something that you think will yield the most success.

Sixth, put yourself out there and leave your body position “open to communication”. By this I mean go out to coffee shops, books stores, food courts, or city parks. When you’re there, leave the seat open next to you and look approachable. It’s also helpful to carry “props”. By props I mean something that puts you in that place for a reason, and is easy to start a conversation about. Keep in mind, if should be relevant to the area, so sitting in a bookstore twirling a Frisbee on your finger is out of the question, ladies. If men see an opportunity to approach you and ask you a question, or make a comment about a book that you’re reading, you’re doing the right thing.

Seventh, go where men go. If you’re shopping for a diamond you don’t look in “Claire’s Boutique” do you? Probably not. Stop by a sports bar on a big game night, wearing a jersey for the local favorite team (remember to remove the tag if you just bought it on your way there!). If you know anything about sports, don’t hesitate to dazzle the local men with your intimate knowledge of the passing records for John Elway. If you don’t know sports, claim to be there to support a friend and are like watching the game, but admittedly don’t know much about it. Your best bet may be to visit Google or ESPN.com and do a little research on who’s who in the big game.

Eighth, above all else, be yourself. While it may not seem like it all the time, men want to know who you are. The real you is bound to come out and visit sooner or later, so why not make it sooner? If he doesn’t like you for who you are, then he’s probably not your “Mr. Right”. Good luck, and happy dating!

About the Author - Chloe Miller recomments Meet2Go.com A new friendship and online dating platform. Online Dating LondonPost activities and find partners with similar interests. Online Dating Free, Friends, Activities