50 First Dates (2004)
A Lot Like Love (2005)
A Walk to Remember (2002)
A Walk to Remember - Nicholas Sparks
Across the Universe (2007)
America’s Sweethearts (2001)
Armageddon (1998)
As You Like It - William Shakespeare
Breakfast at Tiffany's - Truman Capote
Breakfast at Tiffany's - Truman Capote
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
Bridget Jones's Diary (Bridget Jones, #1) - Helen Fielding
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason - Helen Fielding
Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Casablanca (1943)
City of Angels (1998)
Cruel Intentions (1999)
Dirty Dancing (1987)
Emma - Jane Austen
Ever After (1998)
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
Gone With the Wind (1941)
Gone With the Wind - Margaret Mitchell
Grease (1978)
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)
I'm In No Mood For Love I'm In No Mood For Love (Writer Friends, #2) - Rachel Gibson
If Only (2004)
Just Like Heaven (2005)
Love Actually (2003)
Love Story (1970)
Love Story - Eric Segal
Match Me If You Can Match Me If You Can (Chicago Stars, #6) - Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
Mr. Darcy's Diary - Amanda Grange
Never Been Kissed (1999)
Notting Hill (1999)
P.S. I Love You (2007)
Pretty Woman
Pride And Prejudice - Jane Austen
PS, I Love You - Cecelia Ahern
Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare
Rules of Attraction Rules of Attraction (Perfect Chemistry, #2) - Simone Elkeles
Runaway Bride (1999)
Sex and the City the Movie (2008)
Shakespeare in Love (1999)
Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
Something’s Gotta Give (2003)
Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
The Accidental Husband
The Notebook
The Perfect Man (2004)
The Tempest - William Shakespeare
The Way We Were
The Wedding Date(2005)
The Wedding Planner (2001)
The Wedding Singer (1998)
There’s Something About Mary (1998)
Titanic (1997).
Truly Madly Yours Truly Madly Yours - Rachel Gibson
When a Man Loves a Woman (1994)
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
While You Were Sleeping (1995)
Working Girl (1988)
You’ve Got Mail (1998)

Friendship personalities of sun signs

We laugh, we cry; we fight and we make-up. We also hold grudges and keep secrets. But then soon enough, we pour our hearts out. We stand by each other in toughest times and on the lowest days. And, yet we make fun of each-other. We are friends!

The cousins we get to choose for ourselves, our alter-egos, our friends play a distinctive role in shaping our choices, preferences and even our personalities. One of the most important influences in our lives, friends are like colours – adding not just beauty and variety to our lives, but also substance and support.

Let's get to know them even better with the Sun Sign-wise guide to friendship personalities -

ARIES
Aries is a fire sign, so independence is a part of its legacy. Happiest when they are in charge of situations, Aries natives have a competitive side that surfaces whenever they are in large groups of people. Their sharp wit and quirky sense of humour ensures that the people of all ages and temperaments connect well with them. Never at a loss for companions, they themselves are extremely selective about their own friend circle. It's definitely going to be a night to remember when friends step out with these fun-loving, flamboyant rock-stars. However, the Aries' need for variety kicks in soon after, and then, the Aries natives are perfectly capable of moving onto a new set of friends, especially if they are bored. Ruled by the First House, the house of Self, Aries tend to put their own needs first, though not intentionally. This should cast no shadow of doubt on their reliability as friends, as they may not share that last piece of chocolate, but they will always be there for their friends, even at 4 am.

TAURUS
There's an inner genuineness to Taurus that shines through, and naturally attracts people to them. They believe that friends are a great source of learning and support, and pride themselves on their stimulating and eternal friendships. They are often the ones with kindergarten friends, who can regale each other with stories from the past, and share an enviable unspoken understanding. They exemplify the phrase 'friends for life', playing varied roles of protector, entertainer, and critic as the need may be. They are steady and devoted, and their friendship is sure to stand the test of time. Without a demur, complaint, or rebuke, they will be there when they are needed, and will expect the same commitment from their friends. They are not big believers in the concept of 'complete space' in relationships, so they want to be involved in everything that matters to their friends. They can be the most wonderful friends if only their feelings are correctly understood. They are sensitive to the slightest snub, and will ably hide their insecurity below a smiling countenance, so friends will need to be careful to not take their undying loyalty for granted.

GEMINI
Gemini is one sign that seems tailor-made for friendship. Immensely popular on the social circuit, they swing between playing the dual roles of entertainers and intellectuals. This explains why they have a diverse set of friends - many groups for their many moods. They have two sides, and their friends need to know them well enough to assess the mood they are in. When they are in the mood for some moments of silence, nothing can lure them to a night around town. Similarly, when they are dressed to kill, they will ensure the night has no end. They love hanging out, and if their friends can tune into their wacky frequencies, they will be entertained to the hilt. With a mercurial temperament, Gemini is instantly attracted to intelligent people, and these relationships have the potential of becoming bonds for a lifetime. They are always open to adventures, so they have a different interesting perspective on most things. They are big on communication and would love spending time with someone they can match wits with. Optimistic and outgoing, they can create extraordinarily positive environments and help people see the brighter side of life.

CANCER
Many adjectives have been used to describe Cancer's sensitivity, but none of them can truly capture the essence of this soft-spoken sign's persona. They are definitely one of the more emotional signs of the zodiac, but that speaks volumes for the genuineness of their affections. They are loyal friends and while they may not express their feelings much, they will stand by their loved ones come what may. Being ruled by the moon necessitates that they are subject to swift mood changes, and they may be found smack in the middle of a boisterous group one moment, while the next moment they will be sitting by the windowsill deeply lost in thought. Nostalgia is a mood-booster for them, and they can often be seen poring over old photo albums, reliving their past. Their aesthetic side takes over when it comes to decorating their houses or setting up a kitchen garden, and they pride themselves on their fine taste. The doors to Cancer's home are always open for friends, especially those who shower them with the love and understanding that Cancer deserves. Their feelings are easily hurt, so close pals may need to treat them with kid gloves until they are completely secure in the relationship.

LEO
If there were a sign of the zodiac that could personify sunshine, Leo would be it. Outspoken and dramatic, they don't believe in beating about the bush, a quality that wins them as many admirers as it does critics. Completely at home in the spotlight, they love soaking up the attention and being surrounded by people. They are immensely supportive friends, always keeping one eye open for opportunities that can help their loved ones excel. Easygoing and quick-witted, they are a treat to hang out with, so it goes without saying that they have a huge social circle. They are generous to a fault, and will happily foot the bill for their friends, as long as they are not taken for granted. Leo is never going to settle for anything less than what they want, be it a dinner date, a designer dress, or a summer vacation. Their friends quickly learn to appreciate their charming and playful nature, and realize that the best way to have a fun time is to go along with the flow. Their competitive side rears its head occasionally when they feel that their friends are stealing their thunder, but they soon regain their sunny disposition and laud their friends for their achievements.

VIRGO
There's a softness to Virgo that reflects on their countenances, and people cannot help trusting these gentle souls. It doesn't hurt that they are always full of relevant advice, and will swear to keep your secrets until their dying day. They are definitely the most helpful friends a person could wish for - the ones who can make a detailed itinerary when you're on vacation, and a shopping list when you're going to the grocery store. They are very particular about details, and love creating order out of chaos. Virgo is the best friend to have in an emergency, as they seldom lose their composure and can think their way out of most situations. Not just that, they will foresee the loopholes in the plans they make, and plug them in advance, so they make for meticulous planners. The downside of these perfectionist buddies is that sometimes they stress so much over the minutest detail, that they can drive their friends up the wall. They are not proponents of PDA; their affections are felt rather than seen, and they may be embarrassed by shows of appreciation.

LIBRA
Punctuality is definitely not a virtue where Libra is concerned. Not that it's their fault; they are merely victims of analysis paralysis. When they do eventually turn up, they will apologize with such grace and genuine regret that their friends will be hard put to stay mad at them. Smooth talkers with a positive take on everything under the sun, they can effortlessly charm their way into any situation. Resourceful and always ready to help, they are your best bet when you need something double-quick. And with the kind of bonds they form, their friends will never refuse them any favours. With their high levels of intellect and awareness, they are great friends to have and provide their friends with constant entertainment. Libra is a people's person, and alone time is totally not on their agenda. This may result in them being demanding of their friends' attention and time, but with the way they pamper their friends, who's going to complain? Swanky hotspots, dream vacations, designer threads, and A-list personalities – all these are an integral part of the Libra friendship plan. Friends swear by their taste in clothes, often hauling them off for shopping sprees.

SCORPIO
There is an aura of mystery that surrounds Scorpio, a quality that greatly intrigues their friends. They may be selective about opening up in matters close to their heart, and tend to hold back until they are sure their friends will not judge them. This also leads to frequent misunderstandings, as friends remain in the dark about the intensity of their feelings. Once friends have proved they are worthy of the Scorpio's affections, they can be assured of a companion for life. They are quite comfortable on their own, so they don't have many close friendships, but are possessive about the few they do. They are loyalty personified and will defend their friends come hell or high water, but they also expect a reciprocal allegiance. Forgive and forget is clearly not their motto and they will make a virtual note of any slight, so friends need to be doubly careful with their words and actions. They are scornful of flattery but have great respect for genuine praise, so when they appreciate something, you can be sure they mean it. With their secretive natures and intense emotions, Scorpio friends are anything but predictable.

SAGITTARIUS
Sagittarius is a sign that is fascinated by the very thought of learning, and any friend who can feed their eternal hunger for knowledge is a friend worth holding on to. Their interactions with their friends provide them with food for thought, and they keep an open mind so they can absorb everything they hear, see, and read. This is also the reason why they have a large and diverse set of friends. With their endless observations on culture and philosophy, Sagittarius can be an extremely interesting companion to have along on a journey. They get a high out of adventures so if you're game, they will take you on the ride of your life. Entertainment will be on the house when they are around, and friends will spend many side-splitting moments with these natural madcaps, even if the laughter is at their expense. Their love for the unique ensures they try out loads of hobbies and adventure sports, and needless to say, they will make friends there too. Friends can rely on Sagittarius blindly; they never hold a grudge, or tomtom a favour, and will be there for their friends when they need them irrespective of time or distance.

CAPRICORN
Capricorn is hardly the type to waste time on frivolities, as they are extremely clear of what they want and where they want to be. Often, they are so caught up in getting to their goals that they may come across as snooty, but this could not be further from the truth. Resourceful and capable, they will spare no expense when their friends need something. Their practical instincts kick in when they are asked for advice, and they can sit up all night with their friends to help them put their lives in order. They are not really the risk takers of the zodiac, and would happily trade an adventurous option for a tried and tested one. Although they are loners by nature, they manage to rustle up quite a few close relationships. Traditional and responsible, they have a very strong sense of the role they play in society, and are extremely dependable. Never one to wear emotions on the sleeve, Capricorn is a loyal friend and partner, and never goes back on a promise. They also have great respect for people who have come up the hard way, and are dedicated to their professions. With a fine sense of humour and their typical deadpan expressions, they manage to get away with biting sarcasm.

AQUARIUS
If you judge Aquarius by the number of friends they have, you would assume they are the most easygoing people to be with. This assumption is not far off the mark, but it is certainly circumstantial. In reality, they keep their cards extremely close to their chest, and it is very few people who have the privilege of sharing their secrets. They may be generous and caring individuals, who can go out of their way to help even strangers, but they can distance themselves from their loved ones in a flash. For someone with so many friends, Aquarius is strangely not desirous of being in the limelight. They would happily work behind the scenes when they see someone in need, and are embarrassed by demonstrations of gratitude. They love surprising their friends with little treats and expect nothing in return. The only prerequisite is that they should be the ones making the decisions, be it the cuisine for a night out, the colour of a shirt, or a weekend destination. Friends can safely assume they are headed for a good time, because Aquarius is blessed with impeccable taste and an eye for beauty. All will be well in paradise as long as their friends don't cling too tight or try to dispute their decisions; any restrictions or dissent will instantly get their hackles up.

PISCES
There's a whole new world that Pisces inhabits, and they often scuttle off there to sort out their thoughts. Caring and sensitive, they are the best people to turn to when you want to vent your frustrations or get advice on a new relationship. There isn't an iota of superficiality to the Pisces concern; they truly want to understand what you're feeling so that they can make you feel better with the appropriate response. Armed with hypersensitive intuition and a knack of knowing just what to say, they can be the best buddies ever. They will never complain when they are flooded with sob stories, and will patiently hear out every one, often offering pertinent advice. They expect their friends to tell them their troubles because they are extremely open with their emotions themselves. Their vulnerability may be their Achilles Heel however, as this opens them up to being manipulated or getting hurt. They are not superhuman after all; they have insecurities too, and need as much reassurance as anyone else. Once left to their own devices, they can surprise friends with their creative ideas, and make them see a dream world that takes their minds off their worries.

How your sun sign affects the way you fall in love.

Aries dives in with a thunderbolt of passion, and they won’t be slowed down for an instant. They’ll jump in with both feet, declare their undying love and let the chips fall where they may. Hopefully they’ll have picked a lover who likes being swept off their feet!

Taurus never moves fast. These folks like to take their time, so their neon-lit moment may take a while to catch fire. But once they’ve decided, they won’t be put off by any resistance or coyness from the apple of their eye -- they’ll stick around until they get what they want.

Gemini often hears bells and whistles, but they’re familiar with their own fickleness and may hold back until they’re sure it’s not just another passing whim. In the interim, they’ll chat so entertainingly that their potential lover will become smitten before long.

Cancer is definitely driven by their feelings ... but they’re also highly self-protective. They’ll approach their beloved cautiously and in the best crab-like fashion: sideways! This means that they’ll test the waters by introducing their new love interest to their family for approval before declaring their singular devotion.

Leo wears their heart on their sleeve. They certainly don’t like being rebuffed, but amid all their enthusiasm, they probably won’t consider that a possibility! They’ll shower their newfound love with compliments, expensive dinners and objets d’amour -- and expect a commitment within the week.

Virgo doesn’t go in for impulse decisions when it comes to love; rather, they’ll review their prospect with a somewhat detached eye as they try to spot any flaws. They’ll then likely persuade themselves that imperfections are a part of life and need to be accepted. And if the physical attraction is strong enough at the start, they’ll surely tumble head over heels.

Libra is known for their cool demeanor and indecisiveness, so they can often talk themselves out of love. They’ll weigh the pluses and minuses and think through all possible options -- and if their choice is still there after all this careful consideration, they might just allow themselves to fall hard.

Despite being a fixed sign, Scorpio can instantly go off the deep end when it comes to love. They’re quite intuitive and are rarely wrong about a prospective partner’s reactions. Conversely, they’re also very self-protective and insist on receiving positive feedback before laying their heart on the line.

Sagittarius is fiery to the point of recklessness, and rarely hesitates right out of the gate in a new relationship. In fact, it seems as if they have a guardian angel on their shoulder to make love happen the way they want. The Archer is also remarkably resilient, and always remembers that if this one doesn’t work out, the next one will.

Capricorn can be surprisingly sensual, but they’re also socially ambitious. Because of this, they may experience inner conflict about whether the object of their desire will be right for their lifestyle -- now and in the future. They’re not known to move quickly, and will instead give the relationship time to develop naturally.

Intimacy makes Aquarius nervous, so the prospect of a lifelong mate is daunting. The first thing they’ll probably do is introduce their new love interest to their social circle to see how they fit in; they’ll also flaunt their independence to see whether possessiveness will be an issue. Only then will they allow the relationship to grow -- and even then, gradually.

Pisces will know immediately when their dream of romance is standing right in front of them. But being forthcoming is not a Piscean strength, so like a true Water sign, they’ll do all they can to protect their insecurities. They’ll dance around and be elusive, and only when they feel secure will they make their feelings known.

Attract true love your way

1: Envision the relationship you want to be in:

“Until you are able to see yourself living the life that you truly want, it will be difficult for you to create it.” “The One” offers a number of concrete exercises — such as creating a collage of lifelong dreams and writing the story of one’s life as if it were a fairy tale that ends with all of your wishes fulfilled — that helps the reader identify his or her personal vision of a truly satisfying relationship. “It was fun to imagine the ideal life that I wanted for myself,” Carly C. says. “I enjoyed thinking about my ‘dream’ soul mate, and then relaxing and letting it go rather than struggling and feeling anxious about whether he would ever enter my life.”

2: Release any toxic ties and let go of the past:

Relationships we form “have the capacity to nurture and inspire our growth” or to “block the experience and expression of love in our lives.” Identify “toxic ties” as attachments “that cause us to lose personal power.” These attachments can include prior romantic partners, friends or relatives, and when we don’t release these “toxic ties,” they can prevent us from moving forward with our love lives and keep us from attracting a partner who nurtures and supports us. When you “Practice” “Releasing Toxic Ties,” journal about questions they may have regarding this issue, including:

What relationship(s), if any, do I suspect may qualify as a ‘toxic tie’ for me?
What fears are dominating me in this relationship?
What boundaries could I set that would increase the health and wellness in this relationship?

3: Set an intention for your life:

We can create a “climate in which love can ‘miraculously manifest’” by following the first three steps for setting an intention:

“The first step: to have a thought and/or belief in a particular possibility.”
“The second step: to speak your intention out loud.”
“The third step: to take actions that support the manifestation of your intention, and abstain from those that sabotage it.”

“In other words, I believe that finding love is possible for me, and I tell those people who are capable of seeing that possibility as well (and probably even those I’m dating) that I’m committed to finding ‘The One.’ Then I do that which is consistent with that intention as well as refraining from that which is not.” The fourth step of setting an intention is letting go of the results once you’ve done the work outlined in the first three steps. In other words, now it’s time to relax and let life happen to you.

4: Write a love letter to yourself:

Imagine that you are your ideal partner and put aside a quiet half hour to write a love letter addressed to yourself. What would your partner love and notice about you? How would that person express his or her caring for you? Expect to feel resistance toward completing this exercise, but push through and see what you might learn about yourself from your letter and what your ideal relationship and partner would look like.
It is very rewarding and very eye-opening. It is all about you being ready; it’s about being in the right head space, rather than just the number of people you meet.”

5: Make a welcoming space for love in your life:

Take up a challenge to go through their homes and evaluate whether they’re welcoming environments or not. “Make a list of at least five things you can alter in your home to create a more welcoming environment for an intimate partner,”
“Add to that one or two things you do to alter your schedule so that there is some breathing room in your life to explore new relationships.”

Signs you are in
Love

Love. We all have been in love at least
once in our lives. And we all know that it does something to us.
Our body
language changes, we feel happier than usual, the world does not feel like a
hell hole anymore, and we find ourselves smiling randomly at odd hours at random
people. Love can do wonderful things to you and some of the obvious signs of
being in love are listed below.
1. She is ALWAYS on your mind
No matter
what you do or where you are, that one person will always be on your mind. It is
like they have hijacked your mind space and continue to dominate the area week
after week. In the beginning you might take this to be an obsession or even
infatuation, but if the dominance persists for a prolonged period, you can be
sure you are in love.
2. Ms. Perfect
Ever feel that she cannot do anything
wrong? That she is the one person who wouldn’t as much as hurt a fly and is
incapable of causing grief and harm to anyone on this planet? Ever find
yourself thinking that she is the best blend of talent and beauty, of compassion
and passion? If the answers to all the above is yes, you are in love!
3. Your
playlist = romantic songs
Our playlist suggests a lot about our personality.
It does not simply mirror our taste in music, but it reflects our current state
of mind as well. So if your playlist is full of love songs, then it is one major
sign of you being in love.
4. You want to spend ALL your time with her
If
you are going through a phase of wanting to meet and spend time with only one
person, then you are bitten by the love bug. People in love often don’t
feel like meeting friends/family. They simply want to spend all their time with
the person they love. If you are going through something similar, it does not
mean you are some crazy obsessive person, but it means that you want to get to
know her better and be around her all the time. So if you find yourself making
plans with her and only her every weekend, then you are in love.
5. You’re
willing to better yourself for her
For very few people in this world we are
willing to change or better ourselves. The obvious entries in this list of
people are close family members and a friend or two. If you find a girl (who is
not just your best friend) in this list then you know you are in love. If you
want to better yourself, be the best human you can possibly be for one girl then
you are definitely in love with her.

There is a difference between a "Nice Guy" and a "Good Man," as was recently brought to my attention. In a previous blog, I tried to pinpoint the characteristics of a "Nice Guy" (since I've been successful at bypassing him in life thus far), but a "Good Man" goes above and beyond our general idea of Mr. Nice Guy. His chivalry and actions, rather than words (or promises), define him as a quality human being. He's like the Platinum Card of men created in this world, and I would love to get an upgrade from my poor credit history.

So, here is my updated version of the ideal man (although, even a "nice guy" would be an upgrade from the emotionally unavailable men I keep getting issued with):

A Good man:

sends you warm wishes, kind words, and his best intentions because he truly cares for you. Or, he'll "say it like it is," because he cares about you.
takes care of his family because it's the honorable thing to do. He is a good father and provider. If he has to earn money collecting recyclables by digging in trash cans, he will. He will roll up his sleeves and shovel manure to be able to put food on the table.
makes you feel loved. His actions speak louder than words.
would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it, or let you ride on his back as he takes you over the hurdles.
would give his life for the security of his family, or even his country. He gets upset when a soldier is discriminated against because of his sexual orientation. He makes an effort to teach his children about tolerance and compassion-- that we are all just people in this world.
doesn't need to sleep with hundreds of women to feel like a man. He has perfected the skills of pleasing the one woman he makes a connection with, and can turn away countless others who vie for the spot.
will take the high road, but would become the Tasmanian Devil to protect those he loves. He is the tamed lion you can lean on, but isn't ashamed to put on an apron to cook a feast.
does what is right, even if it's the hardest choice.

I want to dedicate this to a good man who, with a few short messages, breathed life back into my sails. With his warmth and compassion, he showed me that I don't miss being with someone so much as I long for the feeling of being thought of, cared about, and appreciated, most of all. The cinders are still smoldering in my heart, and I now know that I should never give up hope. Love is the most precious gift of this life. The fire in my heart will burn again. Thanks to all the good men out there who make a woman feel like a lady.

To all the other hopeful romantics: don't ever give up hope. As long as you're still breathing, life is forever changing before your eyes. You never know what tomorrow will bring.

Girls are taught a lot of stuff growing up: If a guy punches you he likes you. Never try to trim your own bangs. And someday you will meet a wonderful guy and get your very own happy ending.
Every movie we see, every story we're told implores us to wait for it, this third act twist: the unexpected declaration of love, the exception to the rule.
But sometimes we're so focused on finding our happy ending, we don't learn how to read the signs. How to tell the ones who want us from the ones who don't, the ones who will stay and the ones who will leave.
And maybe this happy ending doesn't include a wonderful guy. Maybe it's you, on your own, picking up the pieces and starting over. Freeing yourself up for something better in the future. Maybe the happy ending is just moving on.
Or maybe the happy ending is this: Knowing that all the unreturned phone calls and broken-hearts, through the blunders and misread signals, through all the pain and embarrassment... you never, ever, gave up hope.

If you're the gal who doesn't need anything (or acts like she doesn't), the kind of guy you want will NOT pick …

Needy women attract good men.

"Low-maintenance" women attract jerks…or no men at all. Is this counter to what you've always thought?
Did you think that the less you expected from a man, the more he'd like you?

Well, consider this: A Good Man - one who is confident, mature and relationship-minded - wants to give to a woman and make her happy. He needs to know that you need him and that he's enhancing your already-great life.
A good man also wants to know that you respect and love yourself. He does not want to be completely responsible for your happiness. (That's why I said he wants to "enhance" your life, not "be" your life.)

Now, say you're the gal who doesn't need anything (or at least doesn't act like you do). Mr. Good Man will NOT pick you as a partner. He may sleep with you…but he won't marry you. If you don't leave room for him to be your hero, and you don't show that you know you're worthy of him, he will leave before you can say "Why didn't he call?"

On the other hand, let's say that you graciously receive his compliments and show enthusiastic appreciation for the big and little things he does for you. Maybe you occasionally ask for his advice and let him open the pickle jar. You also make and keep boundaries, expect him to keep his word, and expect to be treated special. That, along with your kindness to him, tells Mr. Good Man that you're relationship material.

You're able to welcome him into your life, and you're confident in who you are, what you want, and how to get it. Isn't it funny? All this time we thought being low maintenance got the guy. Actually, that was in high school.

Now, as a grownup woman looking to share her life with a grownup man, not expecting anything only gets the guy who doesn't want to give you anything. So here's some homework to help you decide where you stand with this.

Look back on previous relationships (short or long) and answer these questions: Were there any good guys who might have gotten away because you acted like you didn't need him and/or didn't seem to have any expectations of him?

~Are the men you're attracting the Good Guys? Are they givers or are they takers? ~Do you know your boundaries, and do you stick to them?

~How well do you show him that you respect yourself? If a cute guy asks you out for Friday night on Friday morning, do you accept?

When he doesn't call or shows up late, do you tell him it's okay because you don't want to scare him away? (I think he gets one free pass on these, btw.) When he's telling you he's too busy to see you week after week, are you still hanging on?

~And…how is this working for you?

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Insights Into The Male Mind - Why Men Commit

The Relationships Men Commit to and Why

Being able to retain his freedom after getting

married is important
to virtually every man.

That doesn't meant that he still wants to play

the dating game, but it does mean that he

wants time with his friends and the
ability to

pursue his own interests. If you can show your

man that you
want exactly the same thing, he'll

be more likely to want to enter into a
more

committed relationship with you. The easiest

way to show him is to
encourage him to follow

his own passions, while you do the same. He'll

love that you are supportive and also he'll

enjoy your independence. One
of the clear

answers to the question of what makes a man

commit is
honesty. Men want to spend their

lives with women who are completely
honest

with them. That means you need to be honest

about what is going
on in your life but you also

need to be honest when he asks for your
advice

or input on things. If your man asks your

opinion on something,
be as genuine as you can

be with your reply, without being critical of

him. Constant, unwavering support is the

foundation for every long lasting relationship

so ensure your man knows that he has yours.

An interview that takes us to the depths of unknown territory: into the male mind.

Jonathon Aslay is a relationships coach based in LA. This media sensation is a
confidant and guide to women world-wide. He
has the inside scoop on the male mind—because he has one—but carries
with him the sensitivity and compassionate listening ability that is
more culturally female. His book entitled The Relationships Men Commit
to and Why is a guide to getting to know the other half of the human
species. Our conversation touches on many of the subjects in the book.
Throughout the interview, we laughed knowingly, both being “seasoned” in
the relationship arena.

I had always thought it was sexist to believe that men and women
were all that different until I was called on to raise my son solo since
being widowed when he was 11. He is now 25. I have since gotten the
sense that we are sometimes two distinct species. Can you explain your
take on the similarities and differences?

Jonathon Aslay: Where
do we begin? Let’s talk about the 25-year-old for the moment and what
seems to happen in relationships. I think in the early stages, for men
18-30, they’re just making their way in the world, and they are highly
driven
from a sexual perspective when it comes to women. We’re not in that
place that is ready to take on full blown relationships and commitment,
where women come
from the place of once they have had sex with a man, they bond with him.
Chemicals such as oxytocin are released, and their desire for
commitment and security happens. That’s one of the differences that
happen in that age bracket. Men are driven by testosterone and the drive
to make it out in the world. Then we have to take it into different
stages.

It's difficult to generalise all men without looking at waht they are in their lives.
One of the issues that come up for most of the women I coach who are
dating men over 35, and my “sweet spot” might be women dating men
between 40-55; there’s a whole different dynamic going on. The
differences might be where they are socially and economically: are they
going through a divorce? Men might be dealing with the financial aspects
of that, which could be alimony and child support, and women might be raising children.
Fundamentally, we all want love. Men want love just as much as women
and we really want relationship as much as women do. We are more
similar. I said in a Facebook post “Know your audience.” Where are they
coming from in their lives? Know what you want in relationship and know
your audience. Can he fit into your life instead of trying to mold yourself into his?

What are the communication styles that women and men use that
sometimes require an interpreter, or what I call “the universal
translator”?

J.A.: This can be an interview in and of itself. I
will take a particular thing that I see so often in my coaching
practice. It happens with texting. I notice a habit that when a men
sends a text: “How’re you doing?” a woman might write back a novel, sharing her entire day, in volumes of
information. His response is, “That’s great.” That’s one dynamic that I
see happening. Women have a tendency to give a lot more information,
especially from an emotional or experiential perspective, where men tend
to be more logical. To really trigger a man’s brain, ask him a thinking question rather than a feeling or emotional question or vice versa.

If there was one thing you would like women to truly understand about men, what would that be?

J.A.: I used to say men are very simple,
but the reality is, that our lives might be complicated. In that there
might be different layers and facets in where they’re at in their lives,
based on their profession, what might be going on with past
relationships? Look at a person’s lifestyle. Men are simple, but if
their lives are complicated, they’re going to be complicated.

What makes it seem like men fear commitment?

J.A.: One of the differences is that women tend to
get to the destination much sooner than men do. Remember I said that
women bond to man as a result of those chemicals like oxytocin? They’re
looking for that security and/or commitment and reach that point much
sooner than men. What happens is that it might take a man much longer to
get to that point and in that space it may feel like he fears
commitment. He just hasn’t reached the destination at the same time. Let
me just dovetail here, Edie; I can go into a whole thing about avoiders
and attachers and attachment styles that might also seem like one of
the reasons there are differences.
Often times men might not communicate on an emotional level, and when
women are used to talking to their girlfriends on an emotional level,
they are not getting fed in that capacity. They feel as though a man is
not at the same place as they are. If men tend to avoid emotional
conversation, that might give the appearance that they fear commitment. Let me just say this: Men who are happy in relationships tend to nest. If
he feels happy with the woman and he feels like he can be her hero and
they share regular activities
together and have regular intimacy together; he’s not going anywhere. He
just may not focus on the destination the same way a woman does.

Someone had mentioned something recently, that once a man is
sexually intimate with a woman, chemical changes take place and
testosterone level drops and he becomes more paternal, more like father
material.

J.A.: I don’t have the data to back this up, but from what I understand is that about the time a
man starts hitting 38 and then beyond, his testosterone levels begin to
decrease and estrogen levels increase. It might be that, but I don’t
have the factual data. Literally, 10 minutes ago Sheri and I were just
talking about that very same thing for an interview she was doing and we
were trying to find that research.

I also think that men become more connected to their hearts as they
get older. When a man is more connected to his heart, he is more humble,
more thoughtful and in that capacity is more nurturing as well. I know
it personally for myself. Testosterone is a chemical that drives us and
fuels our ego. When we are in ego, we are in the ‘me’ state, but when
testosterone drops, we are less “me” and start letting that “we” lead in.

I noticed that you had wonderful role models in your parents for a
life-long loving relationship, as I had as well which I imagine
set the standard for your relationships. Is it possible to break
longstanding negative generational patterns in relationships?

J.A.: The answer is yes, that anything is possible. For some people, if they grew up in
poverty, per se, they are driven internally for having success
financially. The same holds true if they were brought up in a difficult
home. What happens though is that our blueprint for our lives is
predicated and dictated by what we’ve learned. I think of my parents and
glorify them now, but when I was growing up, I didn’t really pay much
attention to how their relationship was.

What I picked up on were the negative things and rarely picked up on the positive. I think that’s human nature.
I think that whether you grow up in a fairly happy home or a
difficult home, we’re going to pick up on the negative cues, more so
than the positive cues. The blueprint I had was, “go to college, get a
job, meet a girl, get married, buy a house, start a family.” I had no
blueprint for how to make a relationship work and had no clue how my
parents made it work, and the same thing holds
true for those who had difficult relationships. As we get older and
start to experience relationships for ourselves, we learn by trial and
error. It depends on what we want. Oftentimes men and women have
the greatest challenge because they don’t have any clarity on what they
want in relationship. They have the idea that they want it.

I like to say that relationships are not 50/50; they are 100/100.
100 percent what each person brings to it: all of who you are, your
history, desires and baggage included.

J.A.: I say the same thing in my book: The Relationships Men Commit to and Why. In fact, I call it the love pie.
In that pie, you come in 100 percent to your half and the woman comes
in 100 percent to her half. What I actually recommend to women is
that they actually hold back a little bit, because women have a
tendency to give 100 percent to his half. It’s especially that belief
that “if I love him more, he’ll love me back.” I recommend energetically
holding back one percent and in that one percent a man will chase.
We men need a little bit of that chase all the time.

I asked my mom, “How did you guys make it work?” and she said, “I
always made your dad work for it.” She meant it energetically, but she
never gave more than he gave to the relationship.

My parents were married nearly 52 years when my dad died in 2008 and
my mom joined him in 2010, and I asked the same question since they
came from some divergent backgrounds. Their answer was, “We loved each
other and that’s what mattered.” When they were celebrating their 50^th
anniversary and I officiated at their vow renewal ceremony, I asked my
dad the secret to the longevity of their marriage and his response was,
“Your mother is always right.”

Do women really need to adopt traditional roles like Steve Harvey contends in order to attract a man?

J.A.: It’s been so long since I have read his book. He has what he calls the 90-day period. It doesn’t matter how long you wait. It doesn’t mean there is any guarantee of commitment whether it is on the first date or 90 days, but I am always of the belief of
developing a friendship first, because that is what carries a relationship for the long term. When we talk about traditional roles, I
remember when I was dating and a woman said, "I'm a traditional woman," I would get frustrated because I said, “I live in the 21^st
century.” What does that really mean? Do you want to go back to the old way of doing things or you like some of the old things? I’m saying that tongue and cheek.

What I subscribe to is: don’t give your heart until you really believe that he seriously, genuinely wants a relationship with you and
you have developed a friendship. As far as giving up your body, that’s a whole other topic. I’ve known people who had sex on the first date and have been married 20 years. The bodies are buried of people who had sex
on one date and never called each other ever again. If you’re a woman, be careful of sleeping with a guy too soon, because of the oxytocin that bonds you to a guy that you might not even like.
I have my ten-date rule. Rarely do relationships today get past the first, second or third date. If you get past the 10th date with a guy, chances are, you are going to have enough information on him to make a fairly informed decision. At that point, you are probably going to have sex somewhere in between. And if you have gotten to that point, chances are you’ll at least jump on the relationship train track where you are
going to be exclusive and monogamous for at least 6-12 weeks.
Most relationship have a 90-day probationary period, like jobs. Every woman I have ever
spoken to whose relationship ended said the same thing: “I knew in the
first few weeks he wasn’t right for me, but I went for it anyway.”

As is the central theme of When Harry Met Sally:* can men and women really be friends without tumbling into romantic interaction?*

J.A.: The more mature both people are, absolutely they can be friends. If they’ve been former lovers and one still carries a torch, it can still be an issue. But if they’ve never had sex, absolutely.

I’m still friends with some with who I’ve been in a romantic relationship and some are platonic friends who are like brothers that I
wouldn’t get involved with sexually.

J.A.: Some men and women might fantasize about it and go, “We’re such great friends; I wonder what it would be like to have sex?” I think of the Seinfeld episode with Elaine and Jerry who
said, “we have such good this, why don’t we try this?” We don’t want to give up this, in case this doesn’t work. It comes from a space of, “are we there for each other?” You’re very good friends with a man and now you’re in this excellent relationship with a new man. Understand that we men are territorial, so
if you have this good relationship with another man, it can create huge challenges in the relationship you are in. I would have clarity in defining that relationship.

I know you have a wonderful relationship with Sheri Meyers (author of Chatting Or Cheating)
and the two of you are quite public about it in social media. What are the upsides and downsides of couples talking with and about each other via Facebook?

J.A.: That’s a good one. We met through Facebook and we have adopted what we call a Social Media Pre-nup when it comes to some of the private information that we share. Because
social media is a consistent part of our lives and we have developed so many friendships with other people, it’s on the days that we’re
apart—we spend about four days together and the other three days I spend with my children—that it tends to be a nice little way of keeping in touch with each other. It may be through a Facebook post or instant message. I
can tell you how it could be a challenge in other relationships, especially if you are friends with past lovers. Let’s say your
relationship is in trouble and you’re having some difficulties and you’re going to Facebook to feed that energy.

It’s very classy the way that the two of you do it, that you are supporting each other and are each other’s cheerleaders.

J.A.: We continually support each other because we use social media professionally. That makes us different than the average couple. It can be addictive and sometimes we do have our challenges that we are feeding the Facebook energy more than our own relationship.

Now’s the time for you to brag a bit…what is it about you that allows women to trust you and confide in you?

J.A.: I think it’s because I’m part chick. It means I can communicate and live in that level. I’m relational, I desire relationship. What makes me a unique coach is that I’ve experienced a lot of what my clients go through. I tend to be more of an anxious attachment style and I’ve been in relationships in the past with women who were in avoidant attachment style. I know what it feels like when you send a text and get no response back or the boyfriend needs space. I know how to tap into the feeling, but I also
know what it took for me to overcome those.

In addition, what makes me a unique coach (and I do want to brag about this) is that I talk about real life, real issues and real relationships. My life experience has prepared me to help women understand men in this capacity. I’ve been married, had to deal with
divorce, went through all those challenges and I had to go back out there. Add to that, I went from being an insurance broker to being a
dating and relationships coach. I found love in the process.

Bonus question: What does it take to put the toilet seat down? I saw that you had that as a Facebook post based on my sending you this
question in advance.

J.A.: You saw how I responded with the question: “Why don’t women put it up for us?” How do we resolve power struggles and differences in our relationships? It’s really an opportunity to examine your communication style. Truth be told, it’s kind of a trivial thing. If we look it at a deeper level, is the guy being thoughtful and conscious? I’ve had plenty of times when I have forgotten to put the toilet seat down, but does that make me a bad guy? How do we resolve our differences and power struggles?