Has anyone ever told you you're the only one for them -- that they vow to be faithful to you for the rest of your lives -- only to turn around and cheat on you? Few things could be as devastating.  Imagine that: Someone who you envisioned spending the rest of your life with shattering your trust so egregiously. The fact of the matter is that they were never being sincere about how they felt. Because when someone truly loves you, they wouldn't dare jeopardize the bond you share -- let alone by cheating. And none of these count as justifiable: Drinking too much Being stressed at work Being seduced  Feeling unhappy in the relationship  You don't go around canoodling with other men or women when something is awry in the relationship or, more generally, in your life. You make your partner aware of it so they can help you. You communicate. You discuss your options.  If you see the relationship as no longer bringing you fulfillment, you either agree to seek counseling with ...

When someone treats you like you're just one of their many options, help them narrow their options by removing yourself from the equation. Whether the woman you're after tells you that five other guys are in the running for her affections or your friend claims to already have plans every time you propose hanging out with him, you can do so much better. You deserve better! People make time for those who matter to them. If you're always playing second fiddle to other people, it's plain to see where the person in question's loyalties lie. More importantly, you should ask yourself why you're even pining for someone who appears to be in such high demand. Is this person serious about building long-lasting relationships, or are they simply trying to stroke their ego by having several people vie for their time? In case no one has informed them, life isn't a popularity contest. Stringing people along is selfish and inconsiderate of others' time ...

After a 10-year hiatus from higher education, I'm strongly considering going back to school next year and pursuing a master's degree in English. Considering I bought three prep books earlier in the week to help me prepare for the Graduation Record Examinations (GRE) -- which my program of interest requires a good score on in order to be accepted -- I'd say that shows I'm pretty serious about taking the plunge. Sometimes I regret waiting so long to get my master's -- then I remind myself that it was ultimately a wise choice. Not only have I been able to gain ample work experience in my field, but the money I would have used on the master's has instead gone towards major life events like getting married, buying a home, and taking a few bucket list vacations. With no debt to speak of (mortgage notwithstanding), I'm in a much better financial position now to get a master's than I would have been if I'd gone to grad school right after earning my bach...

The answer is a resounding no -- at least in my book. Open relationships have become more popular in recent years. Why? Because many people -- some following bad breakups and others because of a reluctance to commit to anyone -- are finding that they're happier keeping their options open. That's fine. More power to them. Everyone has a right to do as they wish in their love life. Personally, I would never agree to an open relationship. If there's something I expect in a relationship, it's loyalty . Exclusivity. Plus, I'd burn with jealousy at the thought of my partner fooling around with someone else. I could never take someone who wants this kind of a relationship seriously. I'd be worried that she could leave me at any moment. I would want a partner who is committed to me and only me. I've always been a one-relationship-kind-of-guy and would feel guilty seeing different women simultaneously. I can see open relationships being appealing to peopl...

Many women find themselves waiting five years, if not more, for their partner to pop the question. Men can face a similar quandary, where the woman they're dating continually claims she's not ready to take things to the next level. This can leave these individuals feeling dejected and doubtful as to whether they have a future with their perpetually hesitant partners. So how long should you wait for someone to commit? That really depends on you. There's no hard-and-fast rule to go by. The amount of time people are willing to wait varies by person. I didn't propose to my wife until we had been together for seven years. Why did I wait that long, you ask? For one, I wanted to make sure I was financially secure before taking the leap, and my wife -- who never once pressured me -- understood that. As you well know, engagement rings, wedding receptions, and honeymoons are anything but cheap these days. But I know other women would not have been as patient. In...

Want to know the secret to never feeling bored? It's quite simple. You'll never feel bored as long as you're always working toward achieving a goal -- specifically, one that centers around something you love to do. Let me give you a few examples: If you love to read, aim to read a different book each month. (Even better, you can shoot for a different one each week!) If you love working out, hit the gym at least a few times each week and try getting a 6-pack, building bigger biceps, or getting rid of your love handles If you love to write, challenge yourself to write a certain number of stories each year If you're a collector, there's always something else you can add to your collection If you love music, make it a goal of yours to download as many of your favorite songs as possible If you love watching movies, strive to watch, say, 10 or more movies a month If you don't feel you're doing what you love at work, find another job within your...