The stages in the progression of a relationship as observed by the average love analyst.
(much like children) take time to develop. They grow and mature with love
, care and discipline. A relationship develops through stages. As I have observed there are six stages in a relationship. These consist of the first stage of blissful infatuation, the first, second, and third learning stages, then the turning point and last the stage of mature love.
First Stage
The first stage begins after the two people in the relationship initially become a couple, Before two people get together they obviously see something in each other that they like. Something, no matter what it is strikes their interest. For this they may long or yearn for one another. This is infatuation. After the initial hook this is all a couple has to go off of. It’s the simple bliss of having the person that was and/or is the object of their infatuation. It’s that giddy excitement of having a boyfriend or girlfriend figure from whom romantic affection is received.
Second Stage
The second stage is the first learning stage. This is when a couple begins to learn about each other’s likes and dislikes and hobbies. Things such as religious preference are discovered and learned about. Family is mentioned and perhaps bits and pieces about their lifestyles at home.
Third Stage
In the third stage ( the second learning stage) true personality begins to surface. Are they uptight or laid back? Are they passive or outgoing? Are they serious or fun-loving? In this stage partners become worthy of the title of best friend. They know each other now, their personality; there character. Now as the second learning stage intermingles with a more advanced form of the first learning stage the past is revealed and a deeper understanding of each other and each other’s lifestyles becomes apparent.
Fourth Stage
The fourth stage (the third learning stage) being the last stage just before the turning point is where a lot of break ups occur. Of course break ups can occur at any stage during a relationship in any length of time especially considering that a relationship can progress through the stages at any rate all depending on the couple and how much time they spend together and how well they communicate, but generally break ups will occur most often during the third learning stage and at the turning point. At this stage a couple grows on and becomes a part of one another. Habits are learned and adopted. Mental and emotional habits become clear as anger issues, sensitivity towards certain things, certain passions, strong emotions and weak ones. Are they very emotional or no? Do they show emotion or hide it? Habits in communication and some concerning affection will also become apparent.
Fifth Stage
The turning point comes around generally after the first year has past. There comes an event that marks the apex of the relationship. This is decision time. Based on all that has passed, based on everything that’s been learned or discovered, based on how a couple has grown on one another one must decide if their partner is truly the one for them; if the relationship is worth another year or two or forever. The trick is recognizing the turning point when it happens. If the turning point is ignored a relationship that should have ended could go on helplessly with the same reoccurring problems only to have wasted years before it ends in the very way it would have been expected to at the original turning point.
Sixth Stage
If the turning point is successfully overcome the relationship will come to rest in a state of mature love. This is true love. This is forever love. Recognition of this stage brings about happy, successful marriages.
Conclusion
Even if a relationship does not work out recognizing these stages will make the relationship more fruitful and there are always lessons to be learned from every relationship. By recognizing these stages a couple can watch their relationship progress and grow.
IRBIL, Iraq -- Hawjin Hama Rashid, a feisty journalist in bluejeans and a frilly blouse, had come to the morgue in this Kurdish city to research tribal killings of women. "A week doesn't pass without at least 10," the morgue director said, showing Rashid pictures of corpses on his computer screen.
First, a bloated, pummeled face.
Next, a red, shapeless, charred body. "Raped, then burned," the director said.
Then, another face, eyes half-closed, stab wounds below her neck.
Rashid leaned closer to the screen.
It was the bloody corpse of her best friend, Begard Hussein. Hussein had complained to police about her ex-husband, who had threatened to kill her if she refused to annul their divorce. Rashid had wanted to publish a photograph of her friend's body after she was killed in April, but officials said none existed. "They lied to me," Rashid said as she left the morgue, her sorrow fusing with anger.
From the southern port city of Basra to bustling Irbil in northern Iraq, Iraqi activists are trying to counter the rising influence of religious fundamentalists and tribal chieftains who have insisted that women wear the veil, prevented girls from receiving education and sanctioned killings of women accused of besmirching their family's honor.
In their quest for stability in Iraq, U.S. officials have empowered tribal and religious leaders, Sunni and Shiite, who reject the secularism that Saddam Hussein once largely maintained. These leaders have imposed strict interpretations of Islam and enforced tribal codes that female activists say limit their freedom and encourage violence against them.
"Women are being strangled by religion and tribalism," said Muna Saud, a 52-year-old activist in Basra.
The activists' struggle is part of a broader battle over the identity of a nation in transition. Driving the debate are questions central to Iraq's future: What role should Islam play in government, politics and society? And to what extent should Western attitudes and ideas influence the country?
"Without changing the way society thinks, changing laws on paper is useless," Rashid said.
Since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, satellite television, cellphones and Internet access have deepened the West's imprint on the relatively stable Kurdish region of Iraq, known as Kurdistan. Today, many urban women wear Western clothes and eschew Islamic head scarves. Women make up more than a quarter of the regional parliament.
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He also jokingly invited Sandler to appear on a radio show with him, saying: “I’m very good on the wireless. That’s where I come to life. I’m edgy.”
Mr Sachs, 75, said last night: “I haven’t seen his stand-up so I can’t comment on whether he should have won the award.”
Ross, who was forced to step down as host of the awards, failed to show at the London ceremony, even though his chat show was nominated for Best Comedy Entertainment Programme.
Ross’s show lost out to Harry Hill’s TV Burp.
Other winners included Ricky Gervais, who picked up Best TV Comedy Actor, Alan Carr, voted Best Comedy Entertainment Personality, and veteran Jasper Carrot, who was presented with a Lifetime Achievement award.
If you’ve ever dreamed of writing for children, here’s your best chance to test that dream and find out if you have the aptitude to crack the $2 billion children’s book market. Read on to discover:
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They’re ordinary folks like you and me.
Ready, set, relax! Keep your kids safe on your next trip.
On the Airplane
A vacation should be fun for the whole family, and keeping your child safe is an essential element of a good trip. Check out these travel safety tips for your next getaway:
- All children need their own seats on airplanes. And children under the age of 2 or weighing less than 40 pounds should be securely fastened in child restraint seats on planes, according to new recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
- If you plan to use a car seat on the plane, make sure that it's FAA approved. The label on the restraint should read: "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft." Check the seat size, too. A car seat wider than 16 inches can't fit properly in a coach seat.
- Ask about child-size emergency equipment. Call the airlines to make sure your particular aircraft has emergency equipment, such as life preservers, specifically designed for small children.
- Keep your child belted at all times. Turbulence can happen without warning, so keep your child belted in as much as possible. If your child wants to get up and move around, make sure the seat-belt sign is off before you unbuckle him.
- Don't seat your child on the aisle. Small children enjoy reaching out and exploring. If they are on the aisle, they could get hurt by a person or serving cart going down the aisle.
- Accompany your child to the lavatory. The bathroom may have sharp or hard objects that can injure a child. The lavatory door can trap a child's finger or hand as it opens and closes.
Wondering if you've got a baby on board? Pay close attention to your body. "The hormones released as soon as you conceive may start causing subtle changes even before they're detectable on a home pregnancy test," says Melissa Goist, MD, clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Ohio State University Medical Center. Unfortunately many, like sore breasts or bloating, also happen right before your period (a sure sign that you're not pregnant), so it's all a guessing game until you take a test. But if you spot a few of the following symptoms -- and your period is MIA -- it may be time to head to the drugstore or your ob-gyn:
Sore Breasts
This is a very common complaint, says Goist. "Breast tissue is extremely hormone-sensitive," she explains. "When progesterone and hCG start flooding the body after the egg is fertilized, they increase your blood volume, which makes your breasts swell and feel heavier than usual."
Cramps
You may feel crampy like you have or are about to get your period, but this discomfort is actually triggered by implantation -- when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall. Your uterus may be stretching a little now (hence the cramps) to prep for its massive expansion over the next nine months.
Spotting
"Many women mistake some light bleeding for a period, but as many as 25 percent will have some spotting during implantation," says Goist. If you notice that your "period" seems way shorter or different from usual, it may be time to take a pregnancy test.
Fatigue
There's tired, and then there's this: If all you can think about at work is taking a nap or if you're too exhausted to keep up with everyday activities like hitting the gym, then it may be your body adjusting to its new mini inhabitant. "Even at this early stage of pregnancy -- within two weeks of conception -- your baby is starting to use up your calories, which can wipe out your energy stores pretty quickly," says Goist.
Nipple Darkening
Are the boobs are looking a little different these days? Pregnancy hormones also affect the activity of melanocytes, or cells in the nipples responsible for their color. "Darker-complexioned women may not notice this until later in pregnancy -- say, around 10 weeks or so," says Goist.
Nausea
While full-blown morning sickness -- which affects up to 85 percent of all preggos -- likely won't strike for a few more weeks, some women may experience more subtle motion sickness early on. "I've had patients tell me they'd suddenly get queasy from reading in the car or would feel sick during flights," says Goist.
Bloating
Can't zip up those skinny jeans? Ramped-up levels of progesterone slow down your digestive track and may make your tummy feel puffier than usual. (This also happens during PMS, notes Goist, but bloating stops when your period arrives, causing progesterone levels to plummet.) If the bloating doesn't go away -- and your period never comes -- start watching for that stick to turn pink.
I've learned - That you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them.I've learned - that no matter how much I care, some people just don't care back.
I've learned - that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.
I've learned - that it's not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that counts.
I've learned - that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes. After that, you'd better know something.
I've learned - that it's not what happens to people that's important. It's what they do about it.
I've learned - that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I've learned - that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I've learned - that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I've learned - that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.
I've learned - that learning to forgive takes practice.
I've learned - that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I've learned - that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I've learned - that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I've learned - that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many years you've lived.
I've learned - that you should never tell a child their dreams are unlikely or outlandish. Few things are more humiliating, and what a tragedy it would be if they believed you.
I've learned - that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
Should you grieve the passing of another weekend, think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children. Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance, think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.
A smile is nature's best antidote for discouragement. It brings rest to the weary, sunshine to those who are sad, and hope to those who are hopeless and defeated.
Master how to gain control of situations to improve your life. Know yourself a little better and understand why you react and behave the way you do. Hope that you would find these tips useful and handy.
We learn best by making mistakes, but too many mistakes can have negative effects on your relationship. Here are some tips to avoid mistakes:
- Don't wait, express your love right now!
Never lie, honesty is the best policy and the truth frees people
Don't worry, be happy
Don't wait before it's too late before you apologize to your partner, always learn how to give in even if you are right
Don't gloat when you are right
Don't sulk when you don't get your way
Don't make the same mistake twice
Don't spend your prime time watching TV
Don't interrupt when she/he is talking
Don't take one another for granted
Don't hold grudges , forgive and forget
Don't let your mind wander during conversations
Don't wait for your partner to read your mind
Don't be judgemental
Don't leave lovemaking until just before sleeping
Don't always let your partner take initiatives, they will be sick of it if it becomes a habit
Don't make love the same way every time
Don't be afraid to share your feelings
Don't try to change your partner
Don't be late for meetings although patience is a virtue
Love can be improved and made sweeter and sweeter; the more you do it, the better it becomes...
We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another, get a new job, get a new house. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enoughand we'll be more content when they are. The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now! If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have andtreasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with... And remember that time waits for no one!
One of the things I really love about my wife is the way she keeps me straight about who I am. Michelle is good about letting me know when I’m being too hard on myself.
We have just been married for a year, dated for 2 years before decision on getting married. She has been a wonderful person, beautiful, magnanimous, and has always forgiven me for my mistakes. We are very different people, different upbringing and different experiences and as such, brings about conflicts.
But seriously I want to love her more. And i think I can do so my listening to her more. I know I should do that, but keep failing in my attempts. Sometimes I am accused of not listening to her. But I always counter by saying is not I am not listening but I cannot understand! Any men out there with such an experience?? Any ladies out there who can enlighten me on what I should do to improve our marriage?
So I will try my best to LISTEN to her, love her more and I hope the things I do will please her. There is nothing more I want in this world than for us to be happy.
It’s never too late to be what you might
The American Heritage Dictionary defines inspiration as, “stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity.” Who doesn’t want to be inspired and experience heightened emotions and the joyful sense of satisfaction from achieving? Without inspiration, innovative ideas have no chance of taking flight; in fact, they fail to exist. As the pressures of mundane existence consume most of our time, we might let some earlier dreams or goals go by. In this quote, Eliot speaks to his reader’s doubts and assures them that it’s never too late to turn around and rediscover your dreams.
What I do today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.
0 comments Posted by Michjames at 8:58 PM
This quote is a great quote to start each and every day. The coming year has 365 days in it, and you can use them wisely, or you can waste them. The amazing thing about this coming year is that every one of us has one thing in common: we all have 365 days.
The difference between us is how we use our days. Successful people understand the quote and live each day knowing they will never have it again. They do what needs to be done, whether they like it or not. They have focus, and know what it is they want to accomplish. And, most importantly, they take action and do it.
So many people make wishes, and that is all they do - wish. They never take action; they think and talk about it, start a few things but not finish anything. A saying that is worthy to note: "Never confuse motion with action".
Do not waste your days by: · Focusing on yesterdays' failures - it is only a failure if you stop trying, and if you learned nothing from it. · Anxiety over today's problems - if you can fix the problem do so, if not move on. Do not waste your day worrying about that which you have no control over. · Worrying about tomorrow's uncertainty - remember it is today that you are living, not tomorrow. And, if you do the things that need to be done today, tomorrow will take care of itself. · Allowing procrastination to dominate your day - procrastination truly is the thief of time. · Giving up - there is a saying, "persistence prevails when all else fails."
Before you start each day, say the quote out loud: "What I do today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it."