Love Lesson

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.