It doesn't matter if you've been with your significant other for 2 days, 2 weeks, or 2 years. Without trust, a relationship can't survive. Like loyalty, respect, communication, and honesty, it is one of the essential ingredients of a healthy, long-lasting relationship. Is it any wonder that infidelity wrecks a relationship like nothing else? Imagine how difficult it is to confide in someone who took your trust and sliced and diced it by cheating on you. There aren't many other things a partner can do that are nearly as deplorable. The same can be said for a friend who steals from you or a sibling who talks behind your back. They can make repeated assurances that they'll never do it again, but our gut tells us to guard ourselves against the prospect of being subject to similar behavior in the future (whether from that person or anyone else). I'm not saying you should never give someone another chance -- only to be careful not to allow them to run ro...

This can be further expanded as follows: "Say what you mean and mean what you say; say what you do and do what you say." Put simply, be genuine. Your actions should always back up your words, and vice-versa. Now, let's be real here. All of us lie on occasion. No one follows through on every single thing they say 100% of the time. We sometimes say one thing and do another. Our actions don't always align with our words. For example, you've likely lied to your boss about being sick in order to miss work for a concert or some other leisurely activity. Maybe you've lied to a friend or relative to get out of having to attend a social function. I'll be the first to admit that I've told people I plan to something and fail to live up to my word. In such cases, I've apologized and made a conscious effort not to repeat the mistake. People have done the same thing to me. A little fib here and there is to be expected. However, if this becomes the no...

Some people are simply the epitome of hypocrisy . They don't tolerate certain behaviors from their partner -- cheating, wasteful spending, getting drunk -- and yet they carry out those very behaviors themselves in disguise. It's because of this double standard that so many relationships go down the drain. People who have certain expectations of their partner that they themselves can't live up to -- those who don't practice what they preach -- shouldn't commit to anyone in the first place. It demonstrates selfishness, a lack of maturity, and the inability to consider their partner's feelings. The golden rule of relationships is to treat your partner the way you want to be treated. If you don't want your partner to cheat on you, remain faithful. If you don't want your partner running up credit card debt, spend responsibly. If you don't want your partner making a fool of herself after having one too many drinks, drink in moderation yourself. The...

Have you noticed that when certain people prod you to do something or go somewhere you may have little interest in -- say, babysit for them or join them on a road trip -- they expect you to follow through, but when it's you making the plans, they suddenly feel they have the flexibility to duck out on you? I've noticed a lot of people I know -- some close friends, even -- do this quite often.  Double standard, anyone? These people do to others what they don't want done to them -- a clear violation of the so-called Golden Rule. What's most frustrating is that many of these people assure us it "won't happen again," and yet they never seem to kick the habit. "Fool me once -- shame on you. Fool me twice -- shame on me." If a person continues to leave you hanging, you really have two options: (1) Tell him or her that if she doesn't start honoring commitments -- like you do for your friend -- you will cut the cord on the friendship. Make...