Fall in love with THIS person

It goes without saying that we should all fall in love with someone who treasures our presence rather than takes advantage of it. Someone who will covet our heart, not trample on it. Someone who will not exercise the power you've given them to hurt you.

Ah, easier said than done, right? In a perfect world, every relationship would last a lifetime. No one would experience relationship blues of any sort. And the divorce rate would certainly not be in the neighborhood of 50 percent.

The truth is that relationships take serious work -- a lot more than some couples are willing to put in.

When you first meet and get with someone, you have your blinders on. They seem perfect to you in every way. You picture yourself walking down the aisle, having kids, and living a blissful life together.

Then, reality sets in. You have arguments about matters both petty and serious. You can't seem to agree on anything, whether it's what to eat or where to vacation next. You encounter financial issues along the way.

A relationship is only as strong as its ability to sustain those tough moments. And while conflict is to be expected in any relationship, both partners have to be invested in arriving at solutions to problems in order for it to stay afloat.

One surefire way to damage a relationship: Taking your partner for granted. Assuming that no matter what you do (or don't do) -- like cheating or leaving your clothes strewn on the furniture for the other to pick up -- you'll always get off scot-free.

A person can only take so much.

If you feel your partner is incapable of remaining faithful to you or doing their fair share -- and if counseling isn't changing anything for the better -- ending the relationship might do you a world of good. While it may bring no shortage of emotional pain in the beginning, you'll be better off in the long run. You deserve much better.

Life is too short to stick with a person who doesn't see you as a priority. Don't settle for someone who thinks of you as one they "can" be with. Pick that special soul who sees you as someone they can't live without.

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