Relationships...these are not my words but I love what it says

I wish I could claim these words as my own but they aren't and I don't know who's they are but I still would like to share it. When I read it the first time it made so much sense and really opened my eyes when it comes to relationship advice so enjoy :)

If you're not married yet, share this with a friend. If you are married, share it with your spouse or other married couples and reflect on it.An African proverb states,

"Before you get married, keep both eyes open, and after you marry, close one eye."Before you get involved and make a commitment to someone, don't let lust, desperation, immaturity, ignorance, pressure from others or a low self- esteem, make you blind to warning signs. Keep your eyes open, and don't fool yourself that you can change someone or that what you see as faults aren't really important.

Once you decide to commit to someone, over time his or her flaws, vulnerabilities, pet peeves, and differences will become more obvious. If you love your mate and want the relationship to grow and evolve, you've got to learn to close one eye and not let every little thing bother you. You and your mate have many different expectations, emotional needs, values, dreams, weaknesses, and strengths. You are two unique individual children of God who have decided to share a life together.

Neither of you are perfect, but are you perfect for each other?

Do you bring out the best in each other?Do you compliment and compromise with each other, or do you compete, compare, and control? What do you bring to the relationship? Do you bring past relationships, past hurt, past mistrust, past pain?You can't take someone to the altar to alter him or her.

You can't make someone love you or make someone stay.

If you develop self-esteem, spiritual discernment, and "a life", you won't find yourself making someone else responsible for your happiness or responsible for your pain.

Manipulation, control, jealousy, neediness, and selfishness are not the ingredients of a thriving, healthy, loving and lasting relationship! Seeking status, sex, wealth, and security are the wrong reasons to be in a relationship. What keeps a relationship strong?

Communication, intimacy, trust, a sense of humor, sharing household tasks, some getaway time without business or children and daily exchanges (a meal, shared activity, a hug, a call, a touch, a note). Leave a nice message on their voicemail, cell phone or send a nice email.

Sharing common goals and interests. Growth is important. Grow together, not away from each other, giving each other space to grow without feeling insecure. Allow your mate to have outside interest. You can't always be together. Give each other a sense of belonging and assurances of commitment. Don't try to control one another. Learn each other's family situation.

Respect his or her parents regardless. Don't put pressure on each other for material goods. Remember for richer or for poorer. If these qualities are missing, the relationship will erode as resentment, withdrawal, abuse, neglect, dishonesty, and pain replace the passion.

The difference between 'United' and 'Untied' is where you put the I.

Not all men are annoying...some are dead

I have been over the rainbow and back again when it comes to dating and feel like it's time to tell my story and give women a good laugh and men a life lesson if I can. I was in a very serious relationship for alomst 4 years, roughly 4 years ago and it ended terribly. He cheated, like most men do, but with about 16 different girls and for awhile it really took its toll on me. I decided about 5 months after the break up to get back out there. And thats where this begins.

Pitty party for me yes, Ive never been able to find a man who just appreciates me for me and let that be enough for him. There's ALWAYS an ex that is still hanging around or they come up with some lame excuse as to why they don't want a relationship.

Its been 3.5 years now that Ive been single and living the life, so to speak, and have met a ton of guys, been on countless dates and NOTHING has worked out.
Anyway so my girlfriends want me to start taking notes and writing a book about ALL of the lines I've heard, break-up excuses I have been told, and just the asshole things that have been said to me....