Psychic Seduction Tips

Abelard And Heloise

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 07:23:00 +0000

Many a woman, amid the transports of passionate and languishing love,
has cried out in a sort of ecstasy:

"I love you as no woman ever loved a man before!"

THE LETTERS OF ABÉLARD AND HÉLOÏSE by PIERRE ABÉLARD

When she says this she believes it. Her whole soul is aflame with the
ardor of emotion. It really seems to her that no one ever could have
loved so much as she.

This cry--spontaneous, untaught, sincere--has become almost one of those
conventionalities of amorous expression which belong to the vocabulary
of self-abandonment. Every woman who utters it, when torn by the almost
terrible extravagance of a great love, believes that no one before her
has ever said it, and that in her own case it is absolutely true.

Yet, how many women are really faithful to the end? Very many, indeed,
if circumstances admit of easy faithfulness. A high-souled, generous,
ardent nature will endure an infinity of disillusionment, of misfortune,
of neglect, and even of ill treatment. Even so, the flame, though it
may sink low, can be revived again to burn as brightly as before. But
in order that this may be so it is necessary that the object of such a
wonderful devotion be alive, that he be present and visible; or, if
he be absent, that there should still exist some hope of renewing the
exquisite intimacy of the past.

A man who is sincerely loved may be compelled to take long journeys
which will separate him for an indefinite time from the woman who
has given her heart to him, and she will still be constant. He may
be imprisoned, perhaps for life, yet there is always the hope of his
release or of his escape; and some women will be faithful to him and
will watch for his return. But, given a situation which absolutely bars
out hope, which sunders two souls in such a way that they can never be
united in this world, and there we have a test so terribly severe that
few even of the most loyal and intensely clinging lovers can endure it.

Not that such a situation would lead a woman to turn to any other man
than the one to whom she had given her very life; but we might expect
that at least her strong desire would cool and weaken. She might cherish
his memory among the precious souvenirs of her love life; but that she
should still pour out the same rapturous, unstinted passion as before
seems almost too much to believe. The annals of emotion record only one
such instance; and so this instance has become known to all, and has
been cherished for nearly a thousand years. It involves the story of a
woman who did love, perhaps, as no one ever loved before or since; for
she was subjected to this cruel test, and she met the test not alone
completely, but triumphantly and almost fiercely.

The story is, of course, the story of Abelard and Heloise. It has many
times been falsely told. Portions of it have been omitted, and other
portions of it have been garbled. A whole literature has grown up
around the subject. It may well be worth our while to clear away the
ambiguities and the doubtful points, and once more to tell it simply,
without bias, and with a strict adherence to what seems to be the truth
attested by authentic records.

There is one circumstance connected with the story which we must
specially note. The narrative does something more than set forth the one
quite unimpeachable instance of unconquered constancy. It shows how, in
the last analysis, that which touches the human heart has more vitality
and more enduring interest than what concerns the intellect or those
achievements of the human mind which are external to our emotional
nature.

Pierre Abelard was undoubtedly the boldest and most creative reasoner
of his time. As a wandering teacher he drew after him thousands of
enthusiastic students. He gave a strong impetus to learning. He was a
marvelous logician and an accomplished orator. Among his pupils were men
who afterward became prelates of the church and distinguished scholars.
In the Dark Age, when the dictates of reason were almost wholly
disregarded, he fought fearlessly for intellectual freedom. He was
practically the founder of the University of Paris, which in turn became
the mother of medieval and modern universities.

He was, therefore, a great and striking figure in the history of
civilization. Nevertheless he would to-day be remembered only by
scholars and students of the Middle Ages were it not for the fact that
he inspired the most enduring love that history records. If Heloise
had never loved him, and if their story had not been so tragic and so
poignant, he would be to-day only a name known to but a few. His final
resting-place, in the cemetery of Pere Lachaise, in Paris, would not
be sought out by thousands every year and kept bright with flowers, the
gift of those who have themselves both loved and suffered.

Pierre Abelard--or, more fully, Pierre Abelard de Palais--was a native
of Brittany, born in the year 1079. His father was a knight, the lord of
the manor; but Abelard cared little for the life of a petty noble; and
so he gave up his seigniorial rights to his brothers and went forth to
become, first of all a student, and then a public lecturer and teacher.

His student days ended abruptly in Paris, where he had enrolled himself
as the pupil of a distinguished philosopher, Guillaume de Champeaux; but
one day Abelard engaged in a disputation with his master. His wonderful
combination of eloquence, logic, and originality utterly routed
Champeaux, who was thus humiliated in the presence of his disciples. He
was the first of many enemies that Abelard was destined to make in his
long and stormy career. From that moment the young Breton himself set
up as a teacher of philosophy, and the brilliancy of his discourses soon
drew to him throngs of students from all over Europe.

Before proceeding with the story of Abelard it is well to reconstruct,
however slightly, a picture of the times in which he lived. It was an
age when Western Europe was but partly civilized. Pedantry and learning
of the most minute sort existed side by side with the most violent
excesses of medieval barbarism. The Church had undertaken the gigantic
task of subduing and enlightening the semi-pagan peoples of France and
Germany and England.

When we look back at that period some will unjustly censure Rome for not
controlling more completely the savagery of the medievals. More fairly
should we wonder at the great measure of success which had already
been achieved. The leaven of a true Christianity was working in the
half-pagan populations. It had not yet completely reached the nobles and
the knights, or even all the ecclesiastics who served it and who were
consecrated to its mission. Thus, amid a sort of political chaos
were seen the glaring evils of feudalism. Kings and princes and their
followers lived the lives of swine. Private blood-feuds were regarded
lightly. There was as yet no single central power. Every man carried his
life in his hand, trusting to sword and dagger for protection.

The cities were still mere hamlets clustered around great castles or
fortified cathedrals. In Paris itself the network of dark lanes,
ill lighted and unguarded, was the scene of midnight murder and
assassination. In the winter-time wolves infested the town by night.
Men-at-arms, with torches and spears, often had to march out from their
barracks to assail the snarling, yelping packs of savage animals that
hunger drove from the surrounding forests.

Paris of the twelfth century was typical of France itself, which was
harried by human wolves intent on rapine and wanton plunder. There were
great schools of theology, but the students who attended them fought and
slashed one another. If a man's life was threatened he must protect it
by his own strength or by gathering about him a band of friends. No
one was safe. No one was tolerant. Very few were free from the grosser
vices. Even in some of the religious houses the brothers would meet
at night for unseemly revels, splashing the stone floors with wine and
shrieking in a delirium of drunkenness. The rules of the Church enjoined
temperance, continence, and celibacy; but the decrees of Leo IX. and
Nicholas II. and Alexander II. and Gregory were only partially observed.

In fact, Europe was in a state of chaos--political and moral and social.
Only very slowly was order emerging from sheer anarchy. We must remember
this when we recall some facts which meet us in the story of Abelard and
Heloise.

The jealousy of Champeaux drove Abelard for a time from Paris. He taught
and lectured at several other centers of learning, always admired, and
yet at the same time denounced by many for his advocacy of reason as
against blind faith. During the years of his wandering he came to have
a wide knowledge of the world and of human nature. If we try to imagine
him as he was in his thirty-fifth year we shall find in him a remarkable
combination of attractive qualities.

It must be remembered that though, in a sense, he was an ecclesiastic,
he had not yet been ordained to the priesthood, but was rather a
canon--a person who did not belong to any religious order, though he was
supposed to live according to a definite set of religious rules and as a
member of a religious community. Abelard, however, made rather light
of his churchly associations. He was at once an accomplished man of the
world and a profound scholar. There was nothing of the recluse about
him. He mingled with his fellow men, whom he dominated by the charm of
his personality. He was eloquent, ardent, and persuasive. He could turn
a delicate compliment as skilfully as he could elaborate a syllogism.
His rich voice had in it a seductive quality which was never without its
effect.

Handsome and well formed, he possessed as much vigor of body as of mind.
Nor were his accomplishments entirely those of the scholar. He wrote
dainty verses, which he also set to music, and which he sang himself
with a rare skill. Some have called him "the first of the troubadours,"
and many who cared nothing for his skill in logic admired him for
his gifts as a musician and a poet. Altogether, he was one to attract
attention wherever he went, for none could fail to recognize his power.

It was soon after his thirty-fifth year that he returned to Paris, where
he was welcomed by thousands. With much tact he reconciled himself to
his enemies, so that his life now seemed to be full of promise and of
sunshine.

It was at this time that he became acquainted with a very beautiful
young girl named Heloise. She was only eighteen years of age, yet
already she possessed not only beauty, but many accomplishments which
were then quite rare in women, since she both wrote and spoke a number
of languages, and, like Abelard, was a lover of music and poetry.
Heloise was the illegitimate daughter of a canon of patrician blood; so
that she is said to have been a worthy representative of the noble house
of the Montmorencys--famous throughout French history for chivalry and
charm.

Up to this time we do not know precisely what sort of life Abelard
had lived in private. His enemies declared that he had squandered his
substance in vicious ways. His friends denied this, and represented
him as strict and chaste. The truth probably lies between these two
assertions. He was naturally a pleasure-loving man of the world, who may
very possibly have relieved his severer studies by occasional revelry
and light love. It is not at all likely that he was addicted to gross
passions and low practices.

But such as he was, when he first saw Heloise he conceived for her
a violent attachment. Carefully guarded in the house of her uncle,
Fulbert, it was difficult at first for Abelard to meet her save in the
most casual way; yet every time that he heard her exquisite voice and
watched her graceful manners he became more and more infatuated. His
studies suddenly seemed tame and colorless beside the fierce scarlet
flame which blazed up in his heart.

Nevertheless, it was because of these studies and of his great
reputation as a scholar that he managed to obtain access to Heloise. He
flattered her uncle and made a chance proposal that he should himself
become an inmate of Fulbert's household in order that he might teach
this girl of so much promise. Such an offer coming from so brilliant a
man was joyfully accepted.

From that time Abelard could visit Heloise without restraint. He was
her teacher, and the two spent hours together, nominally in the study of
Greek and Hebrew; but doubtless very little was said between them
upon such unattractive subjects. On the contrary, with all his wide
experience of life, his eloquence, his perfect manners, and his
fascination, Abelard put forth his power to captivate the senses of
a girl still in her teens and quite ignorant of the world. As Remusat
says, he employed to win her the genius which had overwhelmed all the
great centers of learning in the Western world.

It was then that the pleasures of knowledge, the joys of thought, the
emotions of eloquence, were all called into play to charm and move and
plunge into a profound and strange intoxication this noble and tender
heart which had never known either love or sorrow.... One can imagine
that everything helped on the inevitable end. Their studies gave them
opportunities to see each other freely, and also permitted them to be
alone together. Then their books lay open between them; but either long
periods of silence stilled their reading, or else words of deepening
intimacy made them forget their studies altogether. The eyes of the two
lovers turned from the book to mingle their glances, and then to turn
away in a confusion that was conscious.

Hand would touch hand, apparently by accident; and when conversation
ceased, Abelard would often hear the long, quivering sigh which showed
the strange, half-frightened, and yet exquisite joy which Heloise
experienced.

It was not long before the girl's heart had been wholly won. Transported
by her emotion, she met the caresses of her lover with those as
unrestrained as his. Her very innocence deprived her of the protection
which older women would have had. All was given freely, and even
wildly, by Heloise; and all was taken by Abelard, who afterward himself
declared:

"The pleasure of teaching her to love surpassed the delightful fragrance
of all the perfumes in the world."

Yet these two could not always live in a paradise which was entirely
their own. The world of Paris took notice of their close association.
Some poems written to Heloise by Abelard, as if in letters of fire, were
found and shown to Fulbert, who, until this time, had suspected nothing.
Angrily he ordered Abelard to leave his house. He forbade his niece to
see her lover any more.

But the two could not be separated; and, indeed, there was good reason
why they should still cling together. Secretly Heloise left her uncle's
house and fled through the narrow lanes of Paris to the dwelling of
Abelard's sister, Denyse, where Abelard himself was living. There,
presently, the young girl gave birth to a son, who was named Astrolabe,
after an instrument used by astronomers, since both the father and
the mother felt that the offspring of so great a love should have no
ordinary name.

Fulbert was furious, and rightly so. His hospitality had been outraged
and his niece dishonored. He insisted that the pair should at once
be married. Here was revealed a certain weakness in the character of
Abelard. He consented to the marriage, but insisted that it should be
kept an utter secret.

Oddly enough, it was Heloise herself who objected to becoming the wife
of the man she loved. Unselfishness could go no farther. She saw that,
were he to marry her, his advancement in the Church would be almost
impossible; for, while the very minor clergy sometimes married in spite
of the papal bulls, matrimony was becoming a fatal bar to ecclesiastical
promotion. And so Heloise pleaded pitifully, both with her uncle and
with Abelard, that there should be no marriage. She would rather bear
all manner of disgrace than stand in the way of Abelard's advancement.

He has himself given some of the words in which she pleaded with him:

What glory shall I win from you, when I have made you quite inglorious
and have humbled both of us? What vengeance will the world inflict on
me if I deprive it of one so brilliant? What curses will follow such a
marriage? How outrageous would it be that you, whom nature created for
the universal good, should be devoted to one woman and plunged into such
disgrace? I loathe the thought of a marriage which would humiliate you.

Indeed, every possible effort which another woman in her place would
employ to make him marry her she used in order to dissuade him. Finally,
her sweet face streaming with tears, she uttered that tremendous
sentence which makes one really think that she loved him as no other
woman ever loved a man. She cried out, in an agony of self-sacrifice:

"I would rather be your mistress than the wife even of an emperor!"

Nevertheless, the two were married, and Abelard returned to his
lecture-room and to his studies. For months they met but seldom.
Meanwhile, however, the taunts and innuendos directed against Heloise
so irritated Fulbert that he broke his promise of secrecy, and told his
friends that Abelard and Heloise were man and wife. They went to Heloise
for confirmation. Once more she showed in an extraordinary way the depth
of her devotion.

"I am no wife," she said. "It is not true that Abelard has married me.
My uncle merely tells you this to save my reputation."

They asked her whether she would swear to this; and, without a moment's
hesitation, this pure and noble woman took an oath upon the Scriptures
that there had been no marriage.

Fulbert was enraged by this. He ill-treated Heloise, and, furthermore,
he forbade Abelard to visit her. The girl, therefore, again left her
uncle's house and betook herself to a convent just outside of Paris,
where she assumed the habit of a nun as a disguise. There Abelard
continued from time to time to meet her.

When Fulbert heard of this he put his own interpretation on it. He
believed that Abelard intended to ignore the marriage altogether, and
that possibly he might even marry some other woman. In any case, he now
hated Abelard with all his heart; and he resolved to take a fearful and
unnatural vengeance which would at once prevent his enemy from making
any other marriage, while at the same time it would debar him from
ecclesiastical preferment.

To carry out his plot Fulbert first bribed a man who was the
body-servant of Abelard, watching at the door of his room each night.
Then he hired the services of four ruffians. After Abelard had retired
and was deep in slumber the treacherous valet unbarred the door. The
hirelings of Fulbert entered and fell upon the sleeping man. Three of
them bound him fast, while the fourth, with a razor, inflicted on him
the most shameful mutilation that is possible. Then, extinguishing
the lights, the wretches slunk away and were lost in darkness, leaving
behind their victim bound to his couch, uttering cries of torment and
bathed in his own blood.

It is a shocking story, and yet it is intensely characteristic of the
lawless and barbarous era in which it happened. Early the next morning
the news flew rapidly through Paris. The city hummed like a bee-hive.
Citizens and students and ecclesiastics poured into the street and
surrounded the house of Abelard.

"Almost the entire city," says Fulques, as quoted by McCabe, "went
clamoring toward his house. Women wept as if each one had lost her
husband."

Unmanned though he was, Abelard still retained enough of the spirit of
his time to seek vengeance. He, in his turn, employed ruffians whom he
set upon the track of those who had assaulted him. The treacherous valet
and one of Fulbert's hirelings were run down, seized, and mutilated
precisely as Abelard had been; and their eyes were blinded. A third was
lodged in prison. Fulbert himself was accused before one of the Church
courts, which alone had power to punish an ecclesiastic, and all his
goods were confiscated.

But, meantime, how did it fare with Heloise? Her grief was greater than
his own, while her love and her devotion were absolutely undiminished.
But Abelard now showed a selfishness--and indeed, a meanness--far beyond
any that he had before exhibited. Heloise could no more be his wife.
He made it plain that he put no trust in her fidelity. He was unwilling
that she should live in the world while he could not; and so he told
her sternly that she must take the veil and bury herself for ever in a
nunnery.

The pain and shame which she experienced at this came wholly from the
fact that evidently Abelard did not trust her. Long afterward she wrote:

God knows I should not have hesitated, at your command, to precede or to
follow you to hell itself!

It was his distrust that cut her to the heart. Still, her love for him
was so intense that she obeyed his order. Soon after she took the vows;
and in the convent chapel, shaken with sobs, she knelt before the altar
and assumed the veil of a cloistered nun. Abelard himself put on the
black tunic of a Benedictine monk and entered the Abbey of St. Denis.

It is unnecessary here to follow out all the details of the lives of
Abelard and Heloise after this heart-rendering scene. Abelard
passed through many years of strife and disappointment, and even of
humiliation; for on one occasion, just as he had silenced Guillaume
de Champeaux, so he himself was silenced and put to rout by Bernard of
Clairvaux--"a frail, tense, absorbed, dominant little man, whose face
was white and worn with suffering," but in whose eyes there was a
light of supreme strength. Bernard represented pure faith, as Abelard
represented pure reason; and the two men met before a great council to
match their respective powers.

Bernard, with fiery eloquence, brought a charge of heresy against
Abelard in an oration which was like a charge of cavalry. When he had
concluded Abelard rose with an ashen face, stammered out a few words,
and sat down. He was condemned by the council, and his works were
ordered to be burned.

All his later life was one of misfortune, of humiliation, and even of
personal danger. The reckless monks whom he tried to rule rose fiercely
against him. His life was threatened. He betook himself to a desolate
and lonely place, where he built for himself a hut of reeds and rushes,
hoping to spend his final years in meditation. But there were many who
had not forgotten his ability as a teacher. These flocked by hundreds
to the desert place where he abode. His hut was surrounded by tents and
rude hovels, built by his scholars for their shelter.

Thus Abelard resumed his teaching, though in a very different frame of
mind. In time he built a structure of wood and stone, which he called
the Paraclete, some remains of which can still be seen.

All this time no word had passed between him and Heloise. But presently
Abelard wrote and gave to the world a curious and exceedingly frank
book, which he called The Story of My Misfortunes. A copy of it reached
the hands of Heloise, and she at once sent to Abelard the first of a
series of letters which have remained unique in the literature of love.

Ten years had passed, and yet the woman's heart was as faithful and as
full of yearning as on the day when the two had parted. It has been
said that the letters are not genuine, and they must be read with this
assertion in mind; yet it is difficult to believe that any one save
Heloise herself could have flung a human soul into such frankly
passionate utterances, or that any imitator could have done the work.

In her first letter, which was sent to Abelard written upon parchment,
she said:

At thy command I would change, not merely my costume, but my very soul,
so entirely art thou the sole possessor of my body and my spirit. Never,
God is my witness, never have I sought anything in thee but thyself;
I have sought thee, and not thy gifts. I have not looked to the
marriage-bond or dowry.

She begged him to write to her, and to lead her to God, as once he had
led her into the mysteries of pleasure. Abelard answered in a letter,
friendly to be sure, but formal--the letter of a priest to a cloistered
nun. The opening words of it are characteristic of the whole:

To Heloise, his sister in Christ, from Abelard, her brother in Him.

The letter was a long one, but throughout the whole of it the writer's
tone was cold and prudent. Its very coldness roused her soul to a
passionate revolt. Her second letter bursts forth in a sort of anguish:

How hast thou been able to frame such thoughts, dearest? How hast thou
found words to convey them? Oh, if I dared but call God cruel to me!
Oh, most wretched of all creatures that I am! So sweet did I find the
pleasures of our loving days that I cannot bring myself to reject
them or to banish them from my memory. Wheresoever I go, they thrust
themselves upon my vision, and rekindle the old desire.

But Abelard knew only too well that not in this life could there be
anything save spiritual love between himself and Heloise. He wrote to
her again and again, always in the same remote and unimpassioned way.
He tells her about the history of monasticism, and discusses with her
matters of theology and ethics; but he never writes one word to feed
the flame that is consuming her. The woman understood at last; and by
degrees her letters became as calm as his--suffused, however, with a
tenderness and feeling which showed that in her heart of hearts she was
still entirely given to him.

After some years Abelard left his dwelling at the Paraclete, and there
was founded there a religious house of which Heloise became the abbess.
All the world respected her for her sweetness, her wisdom, and the
purity of her character. She made friends as easily as Abelard made
enemies. Even Bernard, who had overthrown her husband, sought out
Heloise to ask for her advice and counsel.

Abelard died while on his way to Rome, whither he was journeying
in order to undergo a penalty; and his body was brought back to the
Paraclete, where it was entombed. Over it for twenty-two years Heloise
watched with tender care; and when she died, her body was laid beside
that of her lover.

To-day their bones are mingled as she would have desired them to be
mingled. The stones of their tomb in the great cemetery of Pere Lachaise
were brought from the ruins of the Paraclete, and above the sarcophagus
are two recumbent figures, the whole being the work of the artist
Alexandra Lenoir, who died in 1836. The figure representing Heloise
is not, however, an authentic likeness. The model for it was a lady
belonging to a noble family of France, and the figure itself was brought
to Pere Lachaise from the ancient College de Beauvais.

The letters of Heloise have been read and imitated throughout the whole
of the last nine centuries. Some have found in them the utterances of
a woman whose love of love was greater than her love of God and whose
intensity of passion nothing could subdue; and so these have condemned
her. But others, like Chateaubriand, have more truly seen in them a pure
and noble spirit to whom fate had been very cruel; and who was, after
all, writing to the man who had been her lawful husband.

Some of the most famous imitations of her letters are those in the
ancient poem entitled, "The Romance of the Rose," written by Jean de
Meung, in the thirteenth century; and in modern times her first letter
was paraphrased by Alexander Pope, and in French by Colardeau. There
exist in English half a dozen translations of them, with Abelard's
replies. It is interesting to remember that practically all the other
writings of Abelard remained unpublished and unedited until a very
recent period. He was a remarkable figure as a philosopher and scholar;
but the world cares for him only because he was loved by Heloise.

The Story Of Antony And Cleopatra

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 07:20:00 +0000

Of all love stories that are known to human history, the love story of Antony and Cleopatra has been for nineteen centuries the most remarkable. It has tasked the resources of the plastic and the graphic
arts. It has been made the theme of poets and of prose narrators. It has appeared and reappeared in a thousand forms, and it appeals as much to the imagination to-day as it did when Antony deserted his almost victorious troops and hastened in a swift galley from Actium in pursuit of Cleopatra.

Get free ebooks with Antony And Cleopatra

The wonder of the story is explained by its extraordinary nature. Many men in private life have lost fortune and fame for the love of woman. Kings have incurred the odium of their people, and have cared nothing for it in comparison with the joys of sense that come from the lingering
caresses and clinging kisses. Cold-blooded statesmen, such as Parnell, have lost the leadership of their party and have gone down in history with a clouded name because of the fascination exercised upon them by some woman, often far from beautiful, and yet possessing the mysterious
power which makes the triumphs of statesmanship seem slight in comparison with the swiftly flying hours of pleasure.

But in the case of Antony and Cleopatra alone do we find a man flinging away not merely the triumphs of civic honors or the headship of a state, but much more than these--the mastery of what was practically the world--in answer to the promptings of a woman's will. Hence the story
of the Roman triumvir and the Egyptian queen is not like any other story that has yet been told. The sacrifice involved in it was so overwhelming, so instantaneous, and so complete as to set this narrative above all others. Shakespeare's genius has touched it with the glory of a great imagination. Dryden, using it in the finest of his plays, expressed its nature in the title "All for Love."

The distinguished Italian historian, Signor Ferrero, the author of many books, has tried hard to eliminate nearly all the romantic elements from the tale, and to have us see in it not the triumph of love, but the blindness of ambition. Under his handling it becomes almost a sordid drama of man's pursuit of power and of woman's selfishness. Let us review the story as it remains, even after we have taken full account of Ferrero's criticism. Has the world for nineteen hundred years been
blinded by a show of sentiment? Has it so absolutely been misled by those who lived and wrote in the days which followed closely on the events that make up this extraordinary narrative?

In answering these questions we must consider, in the first place, the scene, and, in the second place, the psychology of the two central characters who for so long a time have been regarded as the very embodiment of unchecked passion.

As to the scene, it must be remembered that the Egypt of those days was not Egyptian as we understand the word, but rather Greek. Cleopatra herself was of Greek descent. The kingdom of Egypt had been created by a general of Alexander the Great after that splendid warrior's death.
Its capital, the most brilliant city of the Greco-Roman world, had been founded by Alexander himself, who gave to it his name. With his own hands he traced out the limits of the city and issued the most peremptory orders that it should be made the metropolis of the entire
world. The orders of a king cannot give enduring greatness to a city; but Alexander's keen eye and marvelous brain saw at once that the site of Alexandria was such that a great commercial community planted there would live and flourish throughout out succeeding ages. He was right; for within a century this new capital of Egypt leaped to the forefront among the exchanges of the world's commerce, while everything that art could do was lavished on its embellishment.

Alexandria lay upon a projecting tongue of land so situated that the
whole trade of the Mediterranean centered there. Down the Nile there
floated to its gates the barbaric wealth of Africa. To it came the
treasures of the East, brought from afar by caravans--silks from China,
spices and pearls from India, and enormous masses of gold and silver
from lands scarcely known. In its harbor were the vessels of every
country, from Asia in the East to Spain and Gaul and even Britain in the
West.

When Cleopatra, a young girl of seventeen, succeeded to the throne of
Egypt the population of Alexandria amounted to a million souls. The
customs duties collected at the port would, in terms of modern money,
amount each year to more than thirty million dollars, even though the
imposts were not heavy. The people, who may be described as Greek at
the top and Oriental at the bottom, were boisterous and pleasure-loving,
devoted to splendid spectacles, with horse-racing, gambling, and
dissipation; yet at the same time they were an artistic people, loving
music passionately, and by no means idle, since one part of the city was
devoted to large and prosperous manufactories of linen, paper, glass,
and muslin.

To the outward eye Alexandria was extremely beautiful. Through its
entire length ran two great boulevards, shaded and diversified by
mighty trees and parterres of multicolored flowers, amid which fountains
plashed and costly marbles gleamed. One-fifth of the whole city was
known as the Royal Residence. In it were the palaces of the reigning
family, the great museum, and the famous library which the Arabs later
burned. There were parks and gardens brilliant with tropical foliage and
adorned with the masterpieces of Grecian sculpture, while sphinxes
and obelisks gave a suggestion of Oriental strangeness. As one looked
seaward his eye beheld over the blue water the snow-white rocks of the
sheltering island, Pharos, on which was reared a lighthouse four hundred
feet in height and justly numbered among the seven wonders of the world.
Altogether, Alexandria was a city of wealth, of beauty, of stirring
life, of excitement, and of pleasure. Ferrero has aptly likened it to
Paris--not so much the Paris of to-day as the Paris of forty years ago,
when the Second Empire flourished in all its splendor as the home of joy
and strange delights.

Over the country of which Alexandria was the capital Cleopatra came to
reign at seventeen. Following the odd custom which the Greek dynasty of
the Ptolemies had inherited from their Egyptian predecessors, she was
betrothed to her own brother. He, however, was a mere child of less than
twelve, and was under the control of evil counselors, who, in his name,
gained control of the capital and drove Cleopatra into exile. Until then
she had been a mere girl; but now the spirit of a woman who was wronged
blazed up in her and called out all her latent powers. Hastening to
Syria, she gathered about herself an army and led it against her foes.

But meanwhile Julius Caesar, the greatest man of ancient times, had
arrived at Alexandria backed by an army of his veterans. Against him
no resistance would avail. Then came a brief moment during which the
Egyptian king and the Egyptian queen each strove to win the favor of
the Roman imperator. The king and his advisers had many arts, and so had
Cleopatra. One thing, however, she possessed which struck the balance in
her favor, and this was a woman's fascination.

According to the story, Caesar was unwilling to receive her. There came
into his presence, as he sat in the palace, a group of slaves bearing
a long roll of matting, bound carefully and seeming to contain some
precious work of art. The slaves made signs that they were bearing a
gift to Caesar. The master of Egypt bade them unwrap the gift that he
might see it. They did so, and out of the wrapping came Cleopatra--a
radiant vision, appealing, irresistible. Next morning it became known
everywhere that Cleopatra had remained in Caesar's quarters through the
night and that her enemies were now his enemies. In desperation they
rushed upon his legions, casting aside all pretense of amity. There
ensued a fierce contest, but the revolt was quenched in blood.

This was a crucial moment in Cleopatra's life. She had sacrificed all
that a woman has to give; but she had not done so from any love of
pleasure or from wantonness. She was queen of Egypt, and she had
redeemed her kingdom and kept it by her sacrifice. One should not
condemn her too severely. In a sense, her act was one of heroism like
that of Judith in the tent of Holofernes. But beyond all question it
changed her character. It taught her the secret of her own great power.
Henceforth she was no longer a mere girl, nor a woman of the ordinary
type. Her contact with so great a mind as Caesar's quickened her
intellect. Her knowledge that, by the charms of sense, she had mastered
even him transformed her into a strange and wonderful creature. She
learned to study the weaknesses of men, to play on their emotions, to
appeal to every subtle taste and fancy. In her were blended mental power
and that illusive, indefinable gift which is called charm.

For Cleopatra was never beautiful. Signor Ferrero seems to think this
fact to be discovery of his own, but it was set down by Plutarch in a
very striking passage written less than a century after Cleopatra and
Antony died. We may quote here what the Greek historian said of her:

Her actual beauty was far from being so remarkable that none could be
compared with her, nor was it such that it would strike your fancy when
you saw her first. Yet the influence of her presence, if you lingered
near her, was irresistible. Her attractive personality, joined with the
charm of her conversation, and the individual touch that she gave to
everything she said or did, were utterly bewitching. It was delightful
merely to hear the music of her voice, with which, like an instrument of
many strings, she could pass from one language to another.

Caesar had left Cleopatra firmly seated on the throne of Egypt. For
six years she reigned with great intelligence, keeping order in her
dominions, and patronizing with discrimination both arts and letters.
But ere long the convulsions of the Roman state once more caused her
extreme anxiety. Caesar had been assassinated, and there ensued a
period of civil war. Out of it emerged two striking figures which were
absolutely contrasted in their character. One was Octavian, the adopted
son of Caesar, a man who, though still quite young and possessed of
great ability, was cunning, cold-blooded, and deceitful. The other
was Antony, a soldier by training, and with all a soldier's bluntness,
courage, and lawlessness.

The Roman world was divided for the time between these two men, Antony
receiving the government of the East, Octavian that of the West. In the
year which had preceded this division Cleopatra had wavered between the
two opposite factions at Rome. In so doing she had excited the suspicion
of Antony, and he now demanded of her an explanation.

One must have some conception of Antony himself in order to understand
the events that followed. He was essentially a soldier, of excellent
family, being related to Caesar himself. As a very young man he was
exceedingly handsome, and bad companions led him into the pursuit of
vicious pleasure. He had scarcely come of age when he found that he owed
the enormous sum of two hundred and fifty talents, equivalent to half a
million dollars in the money of to-day. But he was much more than a mere
man of pleasure, given over to drinking and to dissipation. Men might
tell of his escapades, as when he drove about the streets of Rome in a
common cab, dangling his legs out of the window while he shouted forth
drunken songs of revelry. This was not the whole of Antony. Joining the
Roman army in Syria, he showed himself to be a soldier of great personal
bravery, a clever strategist, and also humane and merciful in the hour
of victory.

Unlike most Romans, Antony wore a full beard. His forehead was large,
and his nose was of the distinctive Roman type. His look was so bold and
masculine that people likened him to Hercules. His democratic manners
endeared him to the army. He wore a plain tunic covered with a
large, coarse mantle, and carried a huge sword at his side, despising
ostentation. Even his faults and follies added to his popularity. He
would sit down at the common soldiers' mess and drink with them, telling
them stories and clapping them on the back. He spent money like water,
quickly recognizing any daring deed which his legionaries performed. In
this respect he was like Napoleon; and, like Napoleon, he had a vein of
florid eloquence which was criticized by literary men, but which went
straight to the heart of the private soldier. In a word, he was a
powerful, virile, passionate, able man, rough, as were nearly all his
countrymen, but strong and true.

It was to this general that Cleopatra was to answer, and with a firm
reliance on the charms which had subdued Antony's great commander,
Caesar, she set out in person for Cilicia, in Asia Minor, sailing up
the river Cydnus to the place where Antony was encamped with his army.
Making all allowance for the exaggeration of historians, there can be
no doubt that she appeared to him like some dreamy vision. Her barge was
gilded, and was wafted on its way by swelling sails of Tyrian purple.
The oars which smote the water were of shining silver. As she drew
near the Roman general's camp the languorous music of flutes and harps
breathed forth a strain of invitation.

Cleopatra herself lay upon a divan set upon the deck of the barge
beneath a canopy of woven gold. She was dressed to resemble Venus, while
girls about her personated nymphs and Graces. Delicate perfumes diffused
themselves from the vessel; and at last, as she drew near the shore, all
the people for miles about were gathered there, leaving Antony to sit
alone in the tribunal where he was dispensing justice.

Word was brought to him that Venus had come to feast with Bacchus.
Antony, though still suspicious of Cleopatra, sent her an invitation
to dine with him in state. With graceful tact she sent him a
counter-invitation, and he came. The magnificence of his reception
dazzled the man who had so long known only a soldier's fare, or at
most the crude entertainments which he had enjoyed in Rome. A marvelous
display of lights was made. Thousands upon thousands of candles shone
brilliantly, arranged in squares and circles; while the banquet itself
was one that symbolized the studied luxury of the East.

At this time Cleopatra was twenty-seven years of age--a period of life
which modern physiologists have called the crisis in a woman's growth.
She had never really loved before, since she had given herself to
Caesar, not because she cared for him, but to save her kingdom. She now
came into the presence of one whose manly beauty and strong passions
were matched by her own subtlety and appealing charm.

When Antony addressed her he felt himself a rustic in her presence.
Almost resentful, he betook himself to the coarse language of the camp.
Cleopatra, with marvelous adaptability, took her tone from his, and thus
in a moment put him at his ease. Ferrero, who takes a most unfavorable
view of her character and personality, nevertheless explains the secret
of her fascination:

Herself utterly cold and callous, insensitive by nature to the flame of
true devotion, Cleopatra was one of those women gifted with an unerring
instinct for all the various roads to men's affections. She could be the
shrinking, modest girl, too shy to reveal her half-unconscious emotions
of jealousy and depression and self-abandonment, or a woman carried away
by the sweep of a fiery and uncontrollable passion. She could tickle the
esthetic sensibilities of her victims by rich and gorgeous festivals,
by the fantastic adornment of her own person and her palace, or by
brilliant discussions on literature and art; she could conjure up all
their grossest instincts with the vilest obscenities of conversation,
with the free and easy jocularity of a woman of the camps.

These last words are far too strong, and they represent only Ferrero's
personal opinion; yet there is no doubt that she met every mood of
Antony's so that he became enthralled with her at once. No such woman as
this had ever cast her eyes on him before. He had a wife at home--a most
disreputable wife--so that he cared little for domestic ties. Later,
out of policy, he made another marriage with the sister of his rival,
Octavian, but this wife he never cared for. His heart and soul were
given up to Cleopatra, the woman who could be a comrade in the camp and
a fount of tenderness in their hours of dalliance, and who possessed the
keen intellect of a man joined to the arts and fascinations of a woman.

On her side she found in Antony an ardent lover, a man of vigorous
masculinity, and, moreover, a soldier whose armies might well sustain
her on the throne of Egypt. That there was calculation mingled with her
love, no one can doubt. That some calculation also entered into Antony's
affection is likewise certain. Yet this does not affect the truth that
each was wholly given to the other. Why should it have lessened her love
for him to feel that he could protect her and defend her? Why should it
have lessened his love for her to know that she was queen of the richest
country in the world--one that could supply his needs, sustain his
armies, and gild his triumphs with magnificence?

There are many instances in history of regnant queens who loved and yet
whose love was not dissociated from the policy of state. Such were Anne
of Austria, Elizabeth of England, and the unfortunate Mary Stuart. Such,
too, we cannot fail to think, was Cleopatra.

The two remained together for ten years. In this time Antony was
separated from her only during a campaign in the East. In Alexandria he
ceased to seem a Roman citizen and gave himself up wholly to the charms
of this enticing woman. Many stories are told of their good fellowship
and close intimacy. Plutarch quotes Plato as saying that there are four
kinds of flattery, but he adds that Cleopatra had a thousand. She was
the supreme mistress of the art of pleasing.

Whether Antony were serious or mirthful, she had at the instant some new
delight or some new charm to meet his wishes. At every turn she was with
him both day and night. With him she threw dice; with him she drank;
with him she hunted; and when he exercised himself in arms she was there
to admire and applaud.

At night the pair would disguise themselves as servants and wander about
the streets of Alexandria. In fact, more than once they were set upon in
the slums and treated roughly by the rabble who did not recognize them.
Cleopatra was always alluring, always tactful, often humorous, and full
of frolic.

Then came the shock of Antony's final breach with Octavian. Either
Antony or his rival must rule the world. Cleopatra's lover once more
became the Roman general, and with a great fleet proceeded to the coast
of Greece, where his enemy was encamped. Antony had raised a hundred and
twelve thousand troops and five hundred ships--a force far superior to
that commanded by Octavian. Cleopatra was there with sixty ships.

In the days that preceded the final battle much took place which still
remains obscure. It seems likely that Antony desired to become again
the Roman, while Cleopatra wished him to thrust Rome aside and return to
Egypt with her, to reign there as an independent king. To her Rome was
almost a barbarian city. In it she could not hold sway as she could
in her beautiful Alexandria, with its blue skies and velvet turf and
tropical flowers. At Rome Antony would be distracted by the cares of
state, and she would lose her lover. At Alexandria she would have him
for her very own.

The clash came when the hostile fleets met off the promontory of Actium.
At its crisis Cleopatra, prematurely concluding that the battle was
lost, of a sudden gave the signal for retreat and put out to sea with
her fleet. This was the crucial moment. Antony, mastered by his
love, forgot all else, and in a swift ship started in pursuit of her,
abandoning his fleet and army to win or lose as fortune might decide.
For him the world was nothing; the dark-browed Queen of Egypt, imperious
and yet caressing, was everything. Never was such a prize and never
were such great hopes thrown carelessly away. After waiting seven days
Antony's troops, still undefeated, finding that their commander would
not return to them, surrendered to Octavian, who thus became the master
of an empire.

Later his legions assaulted Alexandria, and there Antony was twice
defeated. At last Cleopatra saw her great mistake. She had made her
lover give up the hope of being Rome's dictator, but in so doing she had
also lost the chance of ruling with him tranquilly in Egypt. She shut
herself behind the barred doors of the royal sepulcher; and, lest she
should be molested there, she sent forth word that she had died. Her
proud spirit could not brook the thought that she might be seized and
carried as a prisoner to Rome. She was too much a queen in soul to
be led in triumph up the Sacred Way to the Capitol with golden chains
clanking on her slender wrists.

Antony, believing the report that she was dead, fell upon his sword; but
in his dying moments he was carried into the presence of the woman for
whom he had given all. With her arms about him, his spirit passed away;
and soon after she, too, met death, whether by a poisoned draught or by
the storied asp no one can say.

Cleopatra had lived the mistress of a splendid kingdom. She had
successively captivated two of the greatest men whom Rome had ever seen.
She died, like a queen, to escape disgrace. Whatever modern critics
may have to say concerning small details, this story still remains the
strangest love story of which the world has any record.

Valentine's Day - Different Ways To Spoil Your Loved Ones

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 14:59:00 +0000

Valentine's Day is a day for romance. Traditionally a day when we hope to receive cards, flowers and maybe a gift from those that we love or admire. Cards are usually given anonymously. It's great fun to try and disguise your token of appreciation and maddening trying to work out who the sender of your's is. It is always a thrill to receive a Valentine from someone we have feelings for, particularly if it is a new potential relationship.

The story goes that in the 3rd century St Valentine married a couple in secret at a time when it was banned by Emporer Cladius 11. For this he was sentenced to death and while in prison he fell in love with the jailer's blind daughter (allegedly the power of his love restored her sight). Just before he died he sent her a message signed "from your Valentine".

Gifts for your loved ones

Long-established symbols of love are hearts, red roses and kisses and traditional gifts of flowers, chocolates and perfume are given at Valentines. Heart shaped gifts or items decorated with Hearts are also popular. If you've been with your sweetheart for some time then you may be past flowers and chocolate and need inspiration for a more original gift. Heart shaped pottery or pottery decorated with hearts would be a long-lasting token. Your partner would think of you each morning as he or she sipped their morning tea from their Heart covered mug or serve a romantic breakfast in bed on Hearts pottery. You could fill a jug with flowers or add a personal message or their pet-name to a mug or teapot.

It is traditional to give your partners gifts for Valentine's but it's also a nice gesture to show your other loved ones how you feel about them on this special day. Secret cards to confuse your children (my grandfather always used to send me a card from whoever my love of the moment was be it David Cassidy or David Soul). Anonymous cards to friends, but with a clue that it might be from their best friend so that their hopes aren't raised too much, nobody wants to be cruel.

Surprise someone

I know we show our appreciation on Mother's and Father's Day but still, particularly if people are on their own, it's nice to feel that you are loved - send flowers to your mum or an "I Love You" mug to your dad. They won't expect it and will be thrilled to be thought of.

Restaurants are always packed on Valentine's Day - full of little tables for two. Your favourite local never feels the same on this night. If you are determined to go out together for a romantic meal why not try something different. What about a picnic (I know it's winter) but if it's a bright, dry day nothing could be nicer. You could take hot chicken or sausages, flasks of soup and a bottle of red wine. Find a sheltered spot somewhere beautiful and tuck in. You can always drop into the local pub for something warming once you've had your lunch.

Whatever you do for Valentines Day do it with the ones you love.

By: Andrea Cox

Would I Be Happier With Someone Else?

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 10:31:00 +0000

Oh that heralded question:"Would I be happier with someone else?" Maybe, but I doubt it. Here's why. Forget not the benefits of the one your with my friend. That's it in a nutshell. Why is that so important? Sure, perhaps you could have more physical intimacy, more laughs, more happiness with someone else, but for how long? And when will that relationship begin to look like the war ravaged one you have now?? Soon my friends. Too Soon.

Remember when you first started dating your husband or wife. Everyone is on their best behavior, your looking good, your passionate, your making every effort to impress. Then seven years later you find yourself irritated by every single thing your mate does! How does that happen?

Well, I don't know. It seems though that I've taken my mind off of the dream a bit too much and have done a 360 and I'm looking too much at realities. I have a wonderful wife. No, I have a one in a million wife whom any guy would die for. Problem is, perhaps like you, I sometimes focus far too much on her negatives.

Another thing too, as a man, I have to be the one to initiate things, and I often forget that I cannot expect her to be the one to make the first moves when it comes to physical, spiritual, or financial matters. I have to be the first.

I share this article from my heart to those who are struggling in their marriage. Yesterday I told my wife I felt like two angels crossed my path. After a series of arguments yesterday I met a wonderful elderly couple who simply looked over at me and said: &quotYou really have a good life, don't you sir!"

I turned around and saw two pearly white smiles of a contented vacationing elderly couple. The man was wearing tan bermuda shorts, wire-rimmed glasses, and a big blue Hawaain shirt. The lady, his wife, simply smiled at me, a graceful lady with long flowing white hair. I replied, &quotYes sir, I do."

Believe me, you wouldn't be happier with someone else no matter how pretty, how passionate, or how handsome. Why is that? After time you will simply revert back to all your old problems and issues. Sure, certain areas may improve, others may improve grandiously, but sure enough, your temper, your upbringing, and everything else will show it's ugly face over time.

Unfortunately, I do speak from experience. I married twice in my life for the wrong reasons, one because I was in a hurry to get married, and the second, because of an solely physical relationship that lacked any substance at all. Finally, through prayer, and pre-marital counseling, I met the woman of my dreams.

Things are not perfect for me, and I'm sure many of you can relate to the feeling of: &quotWhy do I put up with this?" The reason you put up with it is because you made a vow and you did it with your heart, not just your ever changing mind.

There are many times in marriages where the other person doesn't give like they should. It's up to you to be the giver, and hopefully your mate will come along over time. Marriage counseling may help, but ultimately you're going to have to give your problems to God and be willing to change yourself.

A very good friend of my wife's, let's call her Kimmy, recently shared that she &quotput her husband's stuff on the doorstep" after nearly twenty years of marriage. She was frustrated and fed up. Long story short, he cried profusely, something he had never done in front of her, and she took him back.

She then went on to say that she had never let her husband love her because she had all these walls up. Then she said: &quotI realized I'm the one that needs to change, not him." I looked at my wife, had a deja vu, and thought-that's my wife too! Kimmy then shared that for the first time she is starting to share her love with her husband even after eleven years and three children! Who can truly understand the heart of a woman?

Kimmy and her husband went to a couple at their church who counsels marriages, they call themselves marriage mentors, and they poured out their problems for hours to this experienced couple. Kimmy said she learned more about marriage in those three hours than she had in her entire eleven years of marriage.

I've heard many couples at my church state that they are getting success by enliciting help from other successful Christian couples. My advice is to seek out a couple in your church or friends that you can trust, to help you move through the tough times. Stamp and seal them your &quotmentors" and stick to their advice like crazy glue!

Also, keep one thing in mind, Kimmy said it and I'm saying it now. You are the one who needs to change. Not your mate. You. Who out there would divorce a giving, loving, passionate, and caring wife or husband? No one I dare say. Become an extreme lover of your wife and perhaps you'll see as I have, that she'll never let you go...

Why Men Leave (Common Reasons Men Leave Relationships)

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 07:07:00 +0000

By: Brenda Shoshanna

There are many different reasons why men leave relationships or refuse to settle down with the woman they are with. It's important for women to take a good look at these reasons. To their surprise and delight, they will discover that most of the reasons why men leave have nothing to do with them. Some men cling to the ghost of past relationships, idealizing an old love and deciding they'll never find a person like that again. It feels safer to hold onto the past than risk failure with someone who is available today. These men prefer to dwell in a memory than to face the reality of present day life.

For some, this memory goes back to their mothers. No woman can live up to mom, or to any other woman they idealize. They begin to imagine that these other women were perfect and gave them unconditional love. Whatever their present girlfriend does is compared with that. No woman can win over an idealized memory. These men are living in dreams.

Other men leave seeking excitement and challenge. Being with someone who loves them becomes boring and flat. After years of dating beautiful women who adored him but for whom he felt little, Frederick, a handsome, articulate architect, in his late thirties, finally fell in love. It was a tumultuous situation, however.

"I was in love with Fern for three years," he said. "But I left her three times and each time she came back, wanting me again. No other woman had done that before. Fern was very neurotic. I guess that's what attracted me." Some men find the lack of stability in a woman to be challenging, exciting and erotic. The unpredictability creates a situation where there is a constant sense of danger and threat of loss. This keeps these men constantly on the alert, so things never become routine. Excitement is confused with passion. There is a sense that, because of the turmoil, they are finally alive. After awhile it usually becomes too much. "I finally left Fern and never went back," Frederick said. "It became too exhausting in the long run."

When men are attracted to neurotic women, it is interesting to note that these men are often attracting a partner who is expressing what he is also going through inside. She may be acting out what he is feeling and not able to express. When he finally becomes angry with the woman, he is really angry with himself. What we cannot accept in another is always something we haven't been able to accept in ourselves.

Other stresses also cause men to leave relationships. When a man is unhappy at his job, or when he feels pressured to commit, before he is ready, old dreams that haven't been fulfilled will come up to haunt him. He then will begin to feel that this is the time to live out these dreams. These men often feel justified in abruptly leave unsatisfying relationships in search of their fantasies and dreams.

When Renee, handsome, strong, the successful owner of a well know beauty salon left for a new woman he said, "No one leaves if they're happy. After awhile you just begin to feel time is running out and you get tired of the bad stuff. You feel you don't need it anymore. You paid your dues. You're tired." When asked why he felt the attraction to a different woman, he said, "Part of it is just plain beauty. But also she was much younger. I like that. A young woman looks up to a guy because he's older and can do all these things for her, and he adores her because she's young, pretty and makes him look good and feel good and proud."

Implicit in this is a deep need men have to be looked up to, valued, respected and recognized, not only by his peers, but by the woman he's with. Especially at a time in life when a man's sense of himself is wavering, it is extremely uplifting to have a woman who looks up to him and what he has achieved. Unfortunately, at this point, some wives of long standing can only see their man's deficits. If they then remind him of his failings constantly, it's often more than his ego can bear.

Though there are many more factors contributing to men leaving relationships, a common theme appears through all of them. The men are not necessarily responding to the woman they are leaving, but to their own inner needs, conflicts and dreams. Often they experience the woman in their lives simply as a part of their own sense of self. It is not the woman herself who necessarily causes the man to leave, but the man's feelings about himself, his own inner fantasy and quest.

Article Source: ApprovedArticles.com

5 Ways To Increase The Joy In Your Relationships

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 08:29:00 +0000

By: Brenda Shoshanna

Usually we enter relationships hoping they will make us happy. We hope that this one is the right one, that we are not repeating mistakes of the past, and that finally we will receive the love, support and companionship we have been seeking.

Although this approach to relationships is normal, it usually brings disappointment because happiness comes and goes. It has to, because happiness depends upon circumstances. When things go well, we are happy. When we get what we want, when the sun is shining, others value us, our boyfriend finally pops the question, these are moments of happiness.

Joy is different. It doesn't come and go, or depend upon outer circumstances. When things are difficult, when our hopes are not fulfilled, it is still possible to feel joyful. Joy is a positive decision we have made about ourselves, and others. It involves taking responsibility for our lives and relationships. How much joy do you have in your love life? Here are five ways to find joy in relationships:

Stop Blaming Your Partner for Your Disappointments

When we're in a relationship, it's very easy to fall into blaming our partner for our disappointments, but it's one of the most significant ways we destroy our own joy and peace of mind. It is also one of the biggest ways we undermine the other person.

If you want to find more joy in your relationship, realize that if you are upset, it does not necessarily mean that something is wrong with your partner. Finding joy in a relationship comes down to understanding that it is your own expectations that have disappointed you. When we do not put heavy expectations on our partners, but are willing to spend time getting to know them and discover who they are, blame dissolves more easily. Other people have the right to be who they are and to express it.

Your partner has not been put on this earth to make you happy. No one can do that, except you, yourself. Your partner is here to share life with, to learn to be open, accepting and to grow.

Discover the Art of True Giving

There is a huge difference between giving to another and giving so you can get something back in return. When we are secretly waiting for what’s in it for us, this is nothing more than manipulation. On the other hand, joy is based upon true giving. When we learn to give sincerely, it is almost impossible to be upset. The giving itself is its own return.

True giving means generosity with no strings attached. It's giving your partner something that he would like, not something that pleases you. It means taking time to know the person and being willing to meet his needs. Some people fear giving, feeling that they will be drained or stripped bare. But the opposite is true. The more we give, the more we have. Giving brings a sense of fullness and kindness, the basis for the development of joy.

There are many things that can be given, everything from time and attention to acknowledging what makes you happy in the relationship. Want to put this plan into action? Make a list of all the things you could give your partner. Then make a list of the things you'd like him to give you. When you see these two lists side by side, you'll be amazed. See if you can give your partner what they want, regardless of whether they can do the same for you.

Give Up Trying to Change the Other Person

The incessant desire to fix or change the other person is one of the biggest thieves of joy. Plus, it causes power struggles within relationships and issues of control. One person feels she cannot love the other unless the other changes. The other feels hurt, inadequate and as though something is wrong with him.

Finding joy in a relationship means having the ability to love your partner as they are. Our partners have been put here to grow, develop and discover who they are. This can be a lengthy and challenging process. But the surprising thing about change is that the less we push and disapprove of others, the more easily and naturally they grow and change.

Learn How to Really Listen

There is no better way of giving to another than really listening. Most of the time we hear what our partners are saying, but have no idea how to listen. Listening involves getting out of your own mind and truly being there with the other person. It means stopping the little voice inside your head (the one that always comments or thinks about what it is going to say next). It means stopping the inner arguer and becoming quiet and available. When you really listen to another, in that moment, you have given up your own expectations of what you want them to say or to be, and are able to be present for them. This is an enormous gift you are giving. In fact, to many, being really listened to feels like being loved.

Give Up Trying to Change the Other Person

The incessant desire to fix or change the other person is one of the biggest thieves of joy. One person feels she cannot love the other unless that person changes. The other feels hurt, inadequate and as though something is wrong with him. The person who wants the change to happen becomes more and more frustrated as the other one withdraws or refuses to change for her. That's where the phrase, "if you loved me enough you would change," comes from.

Finding joy in a relationship means having the ability to love your partner as they are here to grow, develop and discover who they are. This can be a lengthy and challenging process. But the surprising thing about change is that the less we push and disapprove of others, the more easily and naturally they change.

Develop Patience

Patience is an old-fashioned word in today's world.However, there is no way to rush growth in relationships or in the development of joy. If you're eager to get on the right track, there are two ways to get started: Learn how to be more giving and make an effort to be a better listener. But each one of these tasks takes time to master -- and patience. That's why it is necessary to realize that as we are, right now at this moment, we are lovable and acceptable. If you're ready to increase the amount of joy you feel in your own relationship, take back the responsibility for finding joy in your life, you will be pleased at the results.

Article source: iSnare.com

The Lack Of Trust In A Relationship

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 07:10:00 +0000

Everyone wants to believe that love is a fundamental factor, and the hostility is just an occurrence. But, because much of turmoil in the love relationship, you can ask the question: what is the cause of the conflict? And why misunderstandings appear so easily and could lead to open confrontation?

The atmosphere of suspicion and lack of confidence in our loved one is not so much in the partner, as in the inability to cope with our own emotions.

People are more likely not to notice how little he/she gives to the others, but easily discover this flaw with his partner, feeling that "you never really loved me".

The wife,cherishing the idea of revenge - because her husband was not giving all their attention and all their love, do not notice how much hostility and aggression is expressed in her behaviour. Each of us occasionally forget their own hostile impulses and assign them to our partner.

Such a process invokes lack of trust in the love of our partner. Suspicion about loyalty and sincerity sometimes becomes obsessive. Aware of their own ability to quickly and easily cheat, people have no doubt that their partners are able to do the same. Fear of love always is mixed with fear of evil that we could do other people, or they could do to us. And the exhausting race of pursuance begins.

In love, the fate does not give people the warranty of loyalty and devotion. It is a matter of maturity and identification of personal internal fears.

Getting to know their unconsciously wishes and awareness of the prohibited expression of our own sexuality allows people to avoid paranoid traps.

Another source of mistrust in the love life is the fact that if love occurred, it is taken by us as a source of happiness, as the realization of our dreams. It is in the love a person, contradictory by her essence , suddenly hopes to resolve all her internal conflicts and shifts the responsibility for the decision to his/her partner.

The mistrust is also caused the idea that the perfect partner should correspond to a perfect love. Thus, the partner is entrusted with an impossible task.

The partner must be strong and at the same time helpless, to manage and be managed, severe and sensual. He must be the aggressor in sex and be tender as well, give us all time and at the same time to work, work and work.

When reality comes out, the illusions are destroyed, and our partner appears as he is for real, we are disappointed in him, not realizing that there is our fault too.

Many believe that the key to stable relations is the absence of conflict. But sometimes conflict is a means to maximize the closeness of partners if they were too distant from each other, and if there is no other way to gain their love.

Confidence in yourself, a sense of internal strength and relevance, lack of fear to depend on the loved one can save and strengthen relationships.

To escape from the traps of our subconsciousness, it is necessary first of all to trust yourself and your feelings, not being afraid to openly discuss difficult issues, handle the situation.

Love is a big responsibility not only for a partner, but also for our predictability and a desire to understand what happens to me in this moment.

Dating and Sex -- Should You or Shouldn't You?

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 19:26:00 +0000

At the beginning of a relationship, especially on the first few dates, it's very hard to determine if your partner is the right person and if she/he is the way they show us and not faking their personality.

The most known rule seems to be that you should never sleep with a date until at least the third date. There's no real logic but it does mean that you get a little breathing space before you start feeling that you 'should' be having sex! The general idea is that you should never have sex on a first date because that's going to get you a reputation for being 'easy'!

General consensus and opinions aside, whether or not you have sex on your first, third or tenth date is only up to you and your partner! Only you know if you are comfortable enough with your date and ready to have sex with him/her. No-one else really has the right to tell you that it's too early and it's not the done thing, or for that matter to pressure you into something that you're not ready for when you've had a dozen dates with your partner and haven't got past a chaste kiss on the cheek! Have control of the situation and decide it by yourself!

The worst situation with dating and sex is when there is an expectation that your date has created. They are clearly anticipating an intimate experience with you during or after the date. If you're up for it, that's great. If you're not, then you need to get this out in the open as soon as possible and give your date a chance to find another bed partner for the night if that's all they're looking for.

Don't feel guilty or uncomfortable when you say 'no' concerning sex to your date. Honesty now is better than getting them angry and feeling that you led them on later in the evening. It's also better feeling guilty with them than feeling bad about yourself because you followed their expectations and did something that you didn't want to do.

Listen to your mind and your body. They will tell you when the time is right to take your relationship to the next level. This could very well be within the first couple of dates if the chemistry is right and your intuition is telling you that your date is not just in the relationship for sex.

On the other hand, it could take some time, especially if you've had a bad experience in the past after having sex with a date early on in the relationship, before you're ready. Remember, there's only one person's opinion on when sex becomes an option within the relationship, and that's yours!

How To Handle A Cheating Girlfriend

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 09:37:00 +0000

Not all girls cheat, but unfortunately some do. If your girl cheats on you and you find out, there are several things that you can do about it. Some choices may be good for you, some will really stink, but cheating is never an easy thing to handle. It is painful and damages your trust as well as your pride and self confidence. You can deal with it and you will survive even though you might feel like you won't at times. Just take your time to decide what you are going to do and where you will take the relationship next. As I said, you have a few options.

Ignore It

It may seem easy to just ignore it and hope that it will go away, but think about that before you go that route. If you ignore it, that means that you either don't even talk about it with your girlfriend or you actually catch her and just play the "la la la, it will go away" method. Beware of this, though, while it may be easy because you don't have to deal with anything or dredge up the painful feelings, nothing is ever resolved either. The bitterness and resentment from the betrayal will fester and grow and can affect every aspect of your relationship, cause you to experience depression and is likely to make it difficult for you to get along with or even be with that person and be happy.

Ditch Her

This is often the knee-jerk reaction when someone is betrayed. The first thing that a person often does is tell the other person to get away, to leave and that it is over. This is the other extreme of ignoring it and can be just as unproductive. When you first learn that you have been betrayed you may want to strike out, but opt for taking a break from the relationship instead. If you fly into a fury and send her away immediately, you may have second thoughts later and call her back and this can lead to the "ignore it" method. You may ping pong like this for a while until one of you finally blows and an even more painful altercation and eventual break up may ensue.

Stay with her but Make her Miserable

This may be, initially, the most satisfying method of dealing with the unfaithfulness. However, that satisfaction is often not real and short lived. True, you could stay with her and remind her of what she did every day of her life. You could guilt her into doing things for you, staying with you regardless of how miserable she is and being whatever you want her to be, but that can backfire. As the resentment grows - on both sides - she feels mistreated and abused while you never resolve what happened and fall deeper into your manipulation of her. Again, the resentment and anger bubbles just below the surface and one day it will blow. The results could be disastrous.

Work it Out

This is the most difficult and requires the most commitment, but it can also be the most rewarding. Take a break from each other; seek counseling both individually and as a couple and take time to feel the pain. Experience the pain and work through it. There is an old saying that once someone cheats they will cheat again. This is not necessarily true. Some people have an affair, work things out with their partner and never have another affair. Other people have an affair, work things out, have another affair and keep on until they have left their relationship and their partner in a shambles. Only you can decide if the relationship and your girlfriend are worth fighting for and worth saving.

Article Source: http://www.articlestoreprint.com

Show Your Partner That You Care

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 11:47:00 +0000

Many of us start our relationship with love. But after some time you may feel that something is changed, that routine is getting in your relationship. That doesn't mean that the love is gone but you have to do something to keep your love alive.

Relationships are difficult to sustain. We all want to have a relationship that works. Happiness is the primary need of all of us. To make your relationship work , being like before, and also to not lose your partner you should start by showing her that you really care, to impress her with something every day.

It is important to show people that we care. While big and extravagant gifts are one way, it is the small things that we do everyday that are the most important. You don’t need to be creative, have a big budget or heaps of bright ideas to show someone that you care.

Here are some helpful tips you may use to show her that you care, tips to impress her and show that you love her like the beginning.

Surprise her in the morning by making her coffee and bring her breakfast at the bed. If you didn’t done this before you will definitely surprise her in a positive way. This is good way to start your day by being spoiled.

Propose her to make the shower together because you didn't do it for a long time. Show her that you make time for her and it's no problem if you get late at work sometimes. Spending some time with her is much important even if you have a lot of work today.

Bring home roses for no reason at all. You don't need a special reason to buy her flowers to show how much you love her. Your intentions will be appreciated and the message will be better understood.

Be sensitive and carrying. Ask her if is something wrong if you see that she is a little upset. Listen to her and try to make her smile again. Remember her that you'll pass all the problems together.

Don't forget to compliment her sometimes and tell her she's beautiful like in the first day you met. It’s good to hear that you still like how she looks.

Ask if there's anything you can do in the house even if you didn't do it again. Ask her if you can help with something, and sometimes do a little cleaning even she doesn't ask you to do it. Notice the things that are missing and go shopping them without ask her. She will be very surprised that you care about the house and offer to help her.

Remember anniversary and birthday. A woman always know this dates, but men are usually forget this, aren't too important for them. That's why she will be impressed and very happy to see that you are a carrying man and remember your anniversary.

Prepare her a romantic weekend that she doesn't expect to. Go away to spend a romantic weekend with your partner only you two, somewhere away from home where nobody can reach and disturb you. It's the perfect place and chance to re alive the love between you two.

Once you begin to pay attention to what brings her pleasure and happiness, you're on your way to being a true romantic. The thing to keep in mind is that romance is about her desires, not yours. Your satisfaction comes from watching her joy.

By: Ovi Dogar

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

How to Tease a Woman the Right Way and Become More Attractive

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 14:28:00 +0000

I am sure you have heard the claim that nice guys tend to have more difficulty meeting and attracting women. Or, maybe you have experienced it. Well, this statement is unfortunately not too far from the truth.

You have probably even read several reasons why this happens so I am not going to reiterate that here. Rather, I am going to give you a practical solution to better attract women and have some fun doing it-TEASE HER. Even if you are not really the "nice guy" but do carry that confident, alpha male personality, you may want to fine-tune your skills and give this a try.

Women generally view nice guys as uninterested, boring and providing absolutely no challenge. This is why these guys usually do not get too far with women since she eventually loses interest and many times before the first conversation has ended. Obviously, this is not going to help things progress in the direction you are hoping.

So, what do you do? You provide a subtle challenge to a woman yet without appearing to be an asshole or jerk. There is a fine-line between an interesting, challenging guy and a jerk which will have the opposite affect and turn her off. A good way to avoid crossing this line is to tease her.

Bringing humor into the conversation directed toward her not only shows her you have a sense of humor (which women love) but also makes you more interesting and challenging. The best approach is to treat her like a little sister by nicely teasing yet teasing her nonetheless.

Many guys are confused about the importance of humor in attracting women. They tend to ask why they should use it, why it is so important and why it works.

Let me explain...

As I have already said, women tend to view a man with a sense of humor as fun, interesting, challenging and far from boring. And, women like to be around interesting guys which is, of course, what you want. Projecting your humorous side allows you both to have a good time during the conversation, and more importantly, she will enjoy herself and have a good time. This makes her far more open to being around you at a later date which is a pre-requisite for things to progress to a date and even more.

This remains true even when your humor mostly revolves around teasing at her expense. Making fun of people is usually tagged with a negative connotation, for obvious reasons, but when it comes to attracting women you can use it positively and for your benefit. As counter-productive as this seems, it can really work when you are trying to pick-up a woman.

It is effective because it begins to build her attraction towards you. One reason is that you are not portraying the nice guy personality nor are you focused on pleasing her. Also, the conversation is far more interesting when you mix in your sense of humor which is an important factor by itself in attracting women. Remember, avoid boring!

Finally, it shifts the "pursuit" from you to her making her work for your attention rather than you trying to gain hers. Even though you may be, it is not really clear to her and keeps things challenging from her end.

A great way to tease a woman effectively is to call her out on things she says during the conversation. You can also start building some sexual chemistry by twisting some of her statements into subtle innuendos but, of course, you should not come on too strongly or it will turn her off. It might give her the wrong impression, but in the right amount, it is a good way to create more chemistry.

One reason you do not want to come on too strongly is because you want to keep her in a "subconscious state of limbo." You remain a challenge when she is not sure if you are into her or not. Women are attracted to a challenge when it comes to men and this provides just enough to make her work for your attention while the attraction is building at the same time.

Ultimately, following this advice above creates the perfect atmosphere for the attraction to build. You can open the door to progressing from initial attraction and beyond!

Article Source: http://www.articlestoreprint.com

3 Body Language Signs Of Cheating In A Lover

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 07:40:00 +0000

Have you been suspecting him/her of being places you don't know about ... or you just feel that "fishy" feeling about them, something here is just not right.

Well believe me.... you could very well be on to SOMETHING. Trust your intuition to investigate, but you need to confirm it. I'll get to the point on this.... if you want to discover if your partner is fibbing on you or not, just check the body language. Few trained professionals can fake body language well (trust me, it takes hypnosis to really get lying down as a body language art).

Most people lie by focusing on their vocal tone and straightforwardness of answer. This takes away their focus from the body language aspect. They can't focus on all these things right at the moment. This will give away at least one or two signs for you catch them hard.

The first thing to do is to ask them a "trick" question about their activity or whereabouts. The response is to get them to answer "correctly" and see if this answer is hiding a lie.

Here are the signs to be keen of....
1. Fingers or hand over the mouth
2. Fingers of hand over an ear
3. Fingers or hand over the eyes

Any of these can give away a strong signal if this is done right at the moment of a lie.

Now, remember, the story does get deeper because there are 2 micro-facial expressions that can confirm this. See the highly-acclaimed full-proof Cheat Sweeper system for these...

By Glen Houston

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glen_Houston

Six Simple Fast Ways To Save A Marriage

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 08:59:00 +0000

Let's face it, no relationship is perfect. At some point, even the best suited of couples will find themselves having difficult times. Each marriage has its share of ups and downs, but can still be a satisfying and happy relationship if both partners want it to be. If you're currently experiencing problems and wonder if they can be worked out, just remember that there are many ways to save a marriage.

One of the best ways to save a marriage is to start communicating more effectively. Poor communication is a major reason any relationship fails. If you don't know how to fix what's wrong in your communication skills, try buying some books or look for local self-improvement classes. Many talk about improving communication, and you might even find one about the many ways to save a marriage!

Another way to save a marriage is to curb your criticism. Even if you're upset with your spouse, there are many ways to express your feelings, and some are more effective than others. When it comes to the ways to save a marriage, yelling and nagging are not among the recommendations. Share your feelings, but only in positive and constructive ways. Hurtful criticism will never help.

Besides this, another way to save a marriage that isn't as talked about sometimes is the need for a private life. While you share your life with someone you love, you will have many interests and friends in common. But having friends and interests of your own is healthy and can go a long way to save a marriage.

Taking care of yourself is another way to save a marriage. When you take time to do something for yourself to get physically fit or take classes to improve your self-esteem, it can only enhance your relationship. Feeling better about yourself makes life better all around.

Individual and couples therapy are also positive ways to save a marriage. Sometimes it really helps to talk to an objective third party, someone who's trained to recognize destructive patterns in relationships. Therapists can offer advice on many ways to save a marriage, even a relationship with serious problems.

A valuable way to save a marriage is for both partners to commit to being completely honest with each other. Secrets and lies are no way to save a marriage; they can only hurt or undermine trust. It can be scary opening up and completely trusting, but it's one sure fire way to strengthen the intimacy of any relationship.

So what are the ways to save a marriage? There are many, but if you're committed to the relationship and willing to do what it takes to work through the problems that arise, then you'll benefit from any way to save a marriage that you choose.

By Hong Brandon

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hong_Brandon

Date Ideas..

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:27:00 +0000

Now that a sorry geek such as you has finally landed the girl of your dreams and everyone else’s dreams, let’s get to the hard part. The part where you keep the girl interested in you. This can also be described as the part where you end up selling your family fortunes and end up penniless, but that doesn’t matter as long as you’ve managed to keep your girl right.

Now let us analyze the concept of a date. The origins of the word ‘Date’ lie in ancient Arabia, where the summers, the springs, the girls and the winters are always hot. The age old tradition of Arabia decreed that males seen going out with females had to be violently punished. Hence hanging out inside the city was a little impossible, unless the wife was ok to the idea of a thing-less husband. So what the hormone heavy kids did was, they used to go out in the desert and hang out under the shade of the date palms. The word stuck and hence we go ‘dating’ nowadays.

Now, your date location is highly dependent on what sort of a person you are. There’s a concept in France where a huge barrel is filled with grapes and people get to stomp on them and laugh and screech and pretend to have lots of fun while doing it. If you’re a extremely insecure person, I would not advise you to use this tactic because you don’t want to see a hunk ‘fall’ on your wife/girlfriend, thrash about in the grape slush and have lots of fun while you run away crying. So for all of you insecure guys out there, please avoid such ‘contact sports’-dates, or get an insecure girl who’d rather cling on to you than be clung onto. You might also want to check out the dating avenues offered by a gay bar. You’d be able to completely eliminate ‘guys hitting on your girl’ from the equation then, giving you ‘quality’ time to spend with your girl.

Now for married couples, there is an extremely radical and absolutely ‘win-win’ date concept you might want to explore. A date with a married couple. That way, you could gain valuable information about the joys of being married (if you get what I mean) and add to the pleasures of your married life. Worst case scenario, your wife could end up falling for the other husband, but don’t worry. You shouldn’t miss the trick here. You can always hit on the other wife if that happens.

Now for the hard core romantics, I suggest falling back on history for inspiration. Way back in history. I suggest going to an apple orchard and picking apples together. If you think that this idea sucks, I’d suggest you remind yourself what happened after Eve ate The Apple. Doesn’t suck so much now does it?

Or if you’re the rather conservative lover, you can check out the usual love spots in your locality and keep your chick entertained. Now don’t ask me how to keep your chick entertained because that’s your job. If I did that, she’d be my girl, not yours.

If nothing works out and your girl’s getting losing interest, I recommend falling back on the ‘date-under-the-date-palms’ thing. A date palm’s never disappointed anyone on a date. So far.

By: Myers

Article Source: http://www.articlestoreprint.com

The Clues Which Tell If Your Partner is Having an Affair

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 05:08:00 +0000

Infidelity hurts no matter whether it is in a marriage or dating relationship. While some suspicions in a relationship are completely normal, sometimes you just know something is not quite right. In many cases it is difficult to detect because your partner is minding his or her business very closely. They do not want to get caught, not only do they stand to lose the relationship, they could end up with a zero dating experience, if both sides find out that there is someone else.

There are sure fire methods of knowing if your partner is having an affair, but it can be time consuming and costly. The best way to avoid the cost of a private investigator is to do a little snooping yourself and keep your money in your pocket. Here are some clues to tell if your partner is having an affair.

The most obvious clue that is generally very easy to spot is if your partners schedule has changed. Some fluctuation in work hours is normal, but if there is a consistent late, early morning or odd times they may be cheating on you. When you are dating or married to someone you often can guess their work schedule, hobby schedule and when they will be home. If this predictability changes and you are unable to locate them by phone, or in person, it may be time to get suspicious. Excuses such as I forgot my phone, late meetings or early arrival for workload should be a clue that they may be having an affair. Watch for the changes, then start evaluating.

The second clue is odd phone numbers, phone calls or email addresses. If you are having hang up phone calls or your partner is very private with their phone calls, it could be a sign. If in the past, phone calls were taken right in front of you and now he or she waits until you leave the room, you can suspect that the phone call must have been something private. Most individuals that are cheating are somewhat secretive and get defensive, even angry when questioned about their phone calls, emails or other communication methods. They have to have some way to talk to this mistress so keep your eyes and ears open for strange phone calls, numbers or email addresses.

Tip. If the phone history and computer history is constantly deleted, this is a gigantic clue that your partner may be having an affair.

If your partner suddenly has new interests such as golfing, bowling or any other hobby that you have never seen before, beware. This may be a sign that the other person is interested in this hobby so your partner is taking it up. Generally after you have been dating someone for a while you pretty well know their hobbies, likes and dislikes. Also another clue that there may be an affair is if this new hobby only involves the guys or girls and you are never invited. Other changes in likes and dislikes may include music, reading, sports and or other changes in physical activities.

A sudden change in appearance, diet or exercise is another big clue that your partner may be having an affair. If a preoccupation with how their body looks or the shape that they are in may indicate that someone is looking. Women are notorious for buying new bras and panties, ridding their dresser of granny panties. Men will often begin exercising, dye their hair and maybe change the way they dress. Now there are times in a dating or marriage relationship that people want to change their appearance, but if there is a lack of reason you may want to dig in and find out why the change.

There are products on the market that allow you to test your partners under garments for signs of infidelity. These should be used after you have exhausted all other determining clues. The test kits can get costly so be pretty sure before resorting to the testing method. The best way to determine whether or not that your dating partner is cheating on you is to keep your eyes and ears open. Never bury your head in the sand and think that it cant happen to you, it can. Generally, there are several clues that your partner is having an affair, but you have to be aware and know them when you see them.

By: Lee Blackspur

Article Source: http://www.articlestoreprint.com

How to Initiate Seduction with a Sensual Massage

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 18:50:00 +0000

In order to be able to seduce women and become a great lover you have to be skilled at foreplay.

As you probably know foreplay can involve a lot of steps and actions.

But before you even initiate kissing and other sexual actions, you should get her in the mood by giving her an erotic sensual massage.

If you're good at giving a woman sensual massage, you can put her in a relaxed (and turned-on) state which makes it easy to seduce her.

Learning how to give sensual massages can take a bit of time, but there are a few basic rules which can dramatically improve your skills:

• Darken the lights, use candle illumination and put on soft music

• Use lotion as a way to avoid skin friction

• Make sure she's warm and relaxed before starting. If you have to set the room temperature higher then normal

• Massage her with the flat of your hands and your fingers closed together

• Use a consistent rhythm and keep a the same pace

• Only use your fingers when working on really tense spots

• Work all over her body, starting with her shoulders and back. Then move down to her intimate areas as she becomes more relaxed

By knowing how to give great sensual massages, you'll find it's much easier to put her in the mood and start seducing her.

So if you're serious about improving your seduction skills, practice these steps and learn how to give sensual massages. Once this happens, she'll be fully prepared for the sex that's about to happen!

By Scott Patterson

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Patterson

Is Your Man Insecure and Jealous?

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 14:35:00 +0000

A jealous and insecure man can cause various problems and eventually a heart break. Each individual reacts differently to certain comments and situations. There are several methods in dealing with a jealous husband or boyfriend.

When they seem to become envious of other men it may be time to have a long conversation or seek professional help. When they begin to become resentful of female friends, it may be time to reevaluate the relationship as a whole. There are various types of insecure men. Some individuals become sad if their women is looking or flirting at other men, this is a mild form.

There are other people that are angry that their girlfriend is keeping friendly company with other men, even if these people were friends before the couple became an item. Then there are people that demand where they were as soon as they walk through the door. These types of individuals are certain that their lady has been cheating on them. There are several methods that a woman could use to test the waters and find out how insecure and jealous their man is.

It usually starts with slight comments or irritating looks. The lady may glance at another individual and an icy look could arise from their partner. After awhile a fight may start. This is common in a relationship where jealously is involved. To avoid the mild fights and annoyances, the lady may choose to keep the flirting and looking away while their significant other is with them.

An individual may begin to become more demanding and fights could happen more often if a female has gentlemen friends. This is a major sign of a problem within the relationship. A female's partner has no right or privilege to tell another person who can be their friends. Just like they cannot tell their gentlemen partner that they cannot have female friends. When this issue becomes a problem it could permanently damage the relationship. It is vital to seek help before assistance will not matter. If the relationship is worth saving contact a professional to help through this dilemma.

When the relationship becomes unbearable it may be time to walk out the door. If the jealously becomes overly apparent or the demanding factor is coming into play with female friends as well, this will only lead to destruction. An individual needs to understand where their relationship is going and decide if it is right for them. Some people may enjoy a person telling them who they can see and be friends with. However, with most individuals this does not work.

Jealousy and insecurities can damage any relationship. It is vital to understand why this is happening. The gentleman could have been in a horrible relationship previously. If the couple wants to try and work this out there are many options available for them. Understanding, communication and compassion works wonders in relationships.

Article Source: http://www.articlestoreprint.com

5 Common Mistakes Men Make In Dating

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 14:28:00 +0000

When approaching women, men will need to bear some points in mind so as not to make the same mistakes like other guys make. Here are the top 5 common mistakes men make when approaching a woman:

1. Approaching without a plan. If you never plan, you are planning to fail. Although you can always improvise on the spot, but by having a plan, it will always increase your chances of coming across as a person she might consider dating.

2. Lie to women. When a man does not give enough respect and credit to a woman, he is going to fail. Most men think that they can fool a woman into giving them their number. Listen, women know that you are trying to pick them up, so do not beat around the bush. Be direct and let them know exactly what you want.

3. Forgetting about her comfort zone. It is important for you to realize that most women will be on their guard when you first approach them. This is normal, and therefore it is extremely important for you to come across as a harmless guy. Being a little humorous always help.

4. Acting like a pervert. Do not just stare at her boobs when you just got to meet a woman, it will only bring across to her that you are a pervert. Instead, lock your eyes into hers while talking to her, it shows that you respect her and are interested to know her more.

5. Do not act like an irresponsible man. In reality, men are very bad to women. There is always a heavy price to pay for breaking a heart. When you are faithful to a woman, you will reap the rewards in the long run.

Hope that you do not make these common mistakes that most men make.

By: Crid Lee

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Do You Want Trust Back In Your Relationship?

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 19:58:00 +0000

TRUST is hard to earn, but easy to lose. And without TRUST, relationships come apart quickly.

Trust is the belief that a partner has your best interest at heart. And it is impossible to have a healthy relationship without trust.

Trust is a two-way street. Trust involves telling the truth AND being open to hearing what a partner has to say. But, sometimes the truth can be difficult to tell OR hear. When this happens, trust gets damaged and must be repaired.

Relationships are important - without doubt, one of the most important things we have.

At the same time, relationships are difficult, full of problems, and hard to maintain. So, knowing how to rebuild trust is an important skill to master.

Why is it important to rebuild trust?

For starters, being able to repair trust is essential to keeping a close, healthy relationship. And close relationships provide many benefits.

Individuals in close, healthy relationships live longer and enjoy better health. This gain is undoubtedly due to the fact that people in close relationships have a built-in emotional and physical support system – someone to care for them and provide comfort in times of need. Not only do people in close relationships live longer, but they report being happier and more satisfied with life than individuals who have a difficult time maintaining a healthy relationship.

Having a close relationship also provides many tangible benefits. Sharing resources with another person is a great way to get ahead in life. Two people working together can live better than what either person could do on their own. When individuals find someone to share life with both people come out ahead.

Furthermore, people in close relationships also receive more social support – that is, having someone who is attentive to their needs and concerns. And having social support creates a lot of benefits. Knowing that someone cares, allows individuals to handle life's problems more effectively. People who feel loved and supported make better decisions with less stress and anxiety.

Finally, having a companion makes life more enjoyable. Having someone to share life’s little things, like walking the dog, watching TV, eating meals is important; it makes life more entertaining and enjoyable.

All told, close relationships provide enormous benefits to people who are able to maintain healthy relationships.

By: Timothy Cole

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How to Arouse Her Instantly

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 21:13:00 +0000

Smooth pick up lines may have worked in 80s movies but most women today are a bit more savvy. There are much more subtle and effective ways to turn women on.

Eye contact is one of them. Pay attention to what she is saying and keep your eyes above her bust line. Breast ogling is not a turn on, unless she has just had them done and is asking you about them.

Touching is another way to show her you are interested but it has to be the right kind of touching. Running your thumb in little circles over the top of her hand or her palm can be highly arousing. Grabbing her ass is not.

Touch her as if she is the most beautiful woman you have ever seen.

Caress her with the love that most guys give to their favorite vintage car or most dreamed of stereo component. Run your hands gently over her curves.

Put your passion into the kiss. Slow and seductive. Deep and hungry. Your kiss can be the date maker or breaker. Savor the taste of her. Drink her up without leaving her face
all wet and drippy.

Women want to be wooed then taken.

By:Caterina Christakos

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Romance & Rose Petals: 10 Creative Ways to Use Them

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 17:10:00 +0000

By: Jewel Kinch

If you are looking to create a special ambiance, start the path to seduction or just bring a smile of delight to your sweetheart's face? One sure-fire way is with deliciously scented, silky rose petals. You can pick up rose petals from your local florist shop or order prepackaged petals online. The prepackaged ones usually come with some other sensual items, like tea light candles, which can add nicely to the ambiance.

Of course the rose petals should be lusciously scented. Most will be, but if they are not as pungent as you would like, pick up a rose scented mist from your local bath shop or pharmacy.

Make sure you purchase at least a few dozen so your rose petal surprise doesn't look skimpy. Of course, if you're making a trail down a hallway or up stairs, buy a few dozen more. Most of the time, eight or nine dozen will not cost more than ten or fifteen dollars – a very inexpensive, romantic treat.

Don't feel that you always have to go with red petals, sometimes a pink, peach or even white can be a wonderful surprise. Take note of what you are putting them on and go with the color that will stand out the most, capturing your love's immediate attention.

• Fill a pretty basket full with the aromatic petals. You need to know when your sweetheart will be coming in, listening closely for that key in the lock. Be positioned so that when they open the door, you are in position to immediately begin dropping rose petals at their feet as they step inside. You will continue to step back as you shower their every step with petals, as the king or queen that they are (remember Eddie Murphy in Coming to America? As a prince, he couldn't walk a single step without rose petals leading the way!)

• Run a warm bath for your love, complete with romantic music and candles. Finish this glorious setting by sprinkling beautiful rose petals in the bathtub. They will be gently floating on top when your sweetie steps in to luxuriate.

• Take your rose petals and sprinkle them from your entrance door, down the hallway (or up the stairs) to the foot of your bed. Now there's a silent invitation that your love will relish when they come home.

• A short while before you know that your sweetheart will climb into bed, take a few handfuls of silky petals, pull back the sheets and toss them lavishly into the bed. Put the covers back, making the bed up to look as usual. What a sweet surprise when your darling pulls the covers back to slide into bed!

• Put a dozen rose petals on the pull shade in your sweetheart's car. When they pull the shade down to protect themselves from the sun or pull out an item kept there, they will be showered with the soft, silky petals.

• The next time you serve your sweetheart breakfast in bed, make sure you've decorated the tray, surrounding all the delectable edibles with some pretty rose petals.

• The next time you go on a picnic, along with the wine, cheese & grapes, take along some beautifully scented petals to spread on your throw. There will be nothing better than laying in your bed of roses as an alluring end to your day in the park.

• The next time you give your sweetheart a massage, add rose petals for a luxurious, aromatic ambiance. Depending on the surface, you can place bunches of petals in shallow bowls or baskets around the massage area, or simply spread them all over the surface.

• When your sweetheart is in the shower, take an opportunity to toss petals all over them. Reach over the shower rod or stall to toss the petals, instead of pulling back the curtain or door.

• Take the current book or magazine that your love is reading, open it up to the bookmark and place the rose petals inside. What a delightful surprise when they sit down to relax with their book and the petals tumble into their lap. Make sure your love will not be opening the book/magazine on public transportation

You can create many special moments, enticing, enchanting, seductive moments. Using rose petals can bring an element of surprise that will be appreciated by your loved one. Use these suggestions as your "expressions of love" to and create many joyous moments together.

Article Source: http://www.articles411.com

She Is Testing You – Retaliate Now

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 20:37:00 +0000

Women test men all the time. Even if none of men like this, we all know that we can't live without them. So, hating women or trying to live without them is not viable solution. The best thing we can do is to accept that they do and will test us.

''The test'' is that unexpected, unexplained, quirky situation inflicted on a man by a woman in a relationship. Women love to test men by throwing obscure theoretical questions, and especially to judge them. They usually like to test men, who are interested in, for whom they feel some attraction. They try to tell things about men by observing certain aspects of their behavior, or telling them things and judging them according on how they react.

Women test men because they need to quickly figure out what they're dealing with, and they can't expect a man to be straight up and honest about his strengths and weakness. Women are attention-seekers in constant need of reassurance and affirmation that someone cares for them and wants to protect them. They need to know that you'll set limits that you'll stand up for yourself, this making them feel safe. It gives them the reassurance that you are strong enough and confident enough to fight back when you are provoked and that you are capable of protecting them from danger.

They test us to see how strong emotionally we are, how smart we are, or enjoy to make men feel uncomfortable. So, even if she has a high interest in you, even she is always sweet, loving and giving person, she will always feel the need dig any question. A healthier attitude is to love and enjoy women for all their great qualities, while learning to deal with their tests.

But, from where you can know when you are tested? First you should ask yourself if the event makes sense in the context of the situation; if the answer is no, then you are probably being tested. How they do this? Here are some examples:

-she likes to flirt with another man in front of you – the best thing you can do is to ignore it when it happens; you can start by chatting evenings with other women or friends of her; this will cool her off, and she will change this habit

-she cancel your meeting in the last minute- this is very disappointing because you are ready to walk out the door and only then she tells you she is not coming anymore; you can prevent this from the beginning by telling her that you hate girls which cancel dates; but sometimes she may have a good reason to cancel the meeting

-she likes to turn you on while making out, just to see if you respect her ; best you can do is to stay calm, relax, don't sulk or push it; if she sees you are cool about it and you aren't stressed, you will see that she'll likely relaxed and you have pass the test;

-also there are times when women confuse men , act evasive and feign disinterest in order to try to communicate to men, because they don't like to be taken for granted, being scared to not have their heart broken by a man.

There are times when a woman is testing you intentionally or unintentionally. When she makes it intentionally she will do or say something as an attempt to bait man into reacting to her; she wants to find out if you have a strong reality and identity; she might be acting like ignoring you, teasing you about a flaw you have, trying to make you jealous and so on. So use your own discretion and don't react to her too quickly. She might test you unintentionally, but your reactions will be judged; she has desire to be validated for her beauty and a yearning for the rush to chasing a man who is a prize; so you have to show her you have a strong reality and identity, to not validate her too much so that she'll be satisfied; give her just enough to keep her waiting, reaching and chasing you for more of it.

Now you know that any woman will test you. All you have to do is to accept that, and learn how to deal with. For dealing with any type of test you have to have the necessary tools; if you have these, you may use all these tests to your advantage.

By: Ovi Dogar

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What You Need To Know About How Guys Think

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:59:00 +0000

First, most guys only think about themselves, but they never really realize it. You have to think about what it is that you want out of him. Is this something that you have told him or hinted at? Guys aren't mind readers and they never pick up on the subtle hints. Guys think basic. They know what they want to do and how to do, but they won't do the things that you would unless you tell them.

There are plenty of things that guys think about, but most women feel that they think about their money, cars, and sex all day long. There are plenty of more things and they do happen to think about the relationship often. You will find that it isn't always about immature topics.

First, guys do think about the relationship and they think about things that you bring to their attention. Things like lies and being dishonest is just as much hated by guys as it is by women. When it comes to relationships, guys are very insecure. They are afraid that you are playing them and that this is all some colossal joke. That's why they think about things that you say or do in the relationship. They stay up thinking up the relationship just as much as you, the only thing is that they don't always verbalize what they are thinking.

They also like to get gifts and attention just like you too. There are some things that both sexes like and attention is just one of those things. When you notice that your boyfriend is getting a little needy, it's just because he wants to keep a little bit more of your attention.

You have to spend time together so that you both can fill the void that is inside. When you spend time together, you are also able to keep the relationship moving forward. Guys always want to spend time with someone; it is very rare that they do not want some type of attention. If you are positive in the relationship then the relationship will stay positive. They like to be romanced to. When you both take the time to do some romancing then your relationship will seem to be a lot stronger.

Another thing that he is thinking is, "Stop trying to change me!" When you get into a relationship, you do not want to step into it thinking that you can change them. You will want to be with them because he is just plainly being himself. They do not want someone to come into the relationship half hearted and want them to give up some of their most favorite things.

They are also worried about how you are going to judge them. They have a lot of insecurities just like you and they are afraid that you are judging them too hard. They are afraid of not being able to meet your expectations. They are thinking that you are putting way too many expectations on them and you are judging them too hard.

Of course, they do think about sex a lot more than women. They think about all aspects of intimacy. They think about the sexual acts, but they also think about the meaning behind things and relationships. They think about things like cuddling, hugging, and as well as the number of indiscretions that they wish they could have. It's not all about sex though; there are some other aspects of intimacy that does cross their mind.

You should not always judge them so quickly. You never know what kind of surprises they are up to. You should not always be so quickly to jump to conclusions because you will end up assuming too much. You should also never assume with men. They have no idea what you want unless you literally spell it out. Tricks and hints do not mean anything to most guys, because they are unable to pick up on them. This is because most men are not aware to their surroundings or the finer details in life.

Most men see things in a bigger picture rather than the small picture that women see. This can be very difficult, but if you learn how to communicate with each other, you'll be able to overcome your issues. It's hard to understand the other sex, but if you can take the time to ask some questions. You'll be able to understand each other with better communication skills. You'll also be able to make your relationship stronger by taking the time to ask him what he has on his mind.

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Tips On Celebrating Your Dating Anniversaries Thoughtfully

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 11:08:00 +0000

Celebrating dating anniversaries is not about a lavish party or any kind of expensive event. It's primarily about letting your partner know that you remembered the date, which means that the relationship is special to you. Of course, not every anniversary is as special or has equal weight as others. Let's take a look at the special dating anniversaries that you should be celebrating.

The first is the three month dating anniversary. If you've been together for three months the bloom is not off the rose of romance, but celebrating the event tells your mate that you want to continue the relationship even though you've now started to see some of her or his faults and foibles. A nice meal in a special place is a great way to celebrate this dating anniversary. You might want to go to a comedy club or dinner theatre, or to some place romantic like a ballet or opera.

And, oh, by the way, don't celebrate the first or second month of your dating. That's the time when you're still getting to know each other, you don't know that you want to go farther; you don't know that your partner does. Besides, most relationships last for one or two months. You could be spending time and money celebrating something that will end next week. You could have an empty wallet and a lonely heart.

Celebrating a one year dating anniversary is much more serious, and much more special. Now you really know a lot more about each other, good and bad. Yet you're still together. You're bound to be thinking long term as is he or she, and you need to make this incredibly special. Travel out of town - maybe a trip to San Francisco if you live in Sonoma County, or a day at the Indy 500 if you're from Fort Wayne. It doesn't have to be a week in Hawaii, but make it a very special treat, full of good wine, good food and loving attention showered on each others.

Celebrating a two year dating anniversary should be a trip alone together. You might do something you've always wanted to do - something that the two of you will remember forever. Perhaps begin a sport or tradition that will carry you into forever. You might start wilderness camping, or whitewater rafting, or mountain climbing. You might find a cabin at the lake that you return to each and every year after that. Once night has fallen on your first day's adventure is the time to pull out the gorgeous diamond or the great new watch, or the book of love poems - something that will have her or him remembering you each time she or he looks at it.

Once you've hit the five year dating anniversary one of you is probably getting anxious about when the question is going to get popped. That anniversary must deal with that. While you must shower each other with love and attention you must recommit as well, whether there's a diamond in the future or the present or not. Without this you might not be celebrating any more dating anniversaries.

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What's More Important - Your Girlfriend Or Your Pride?

noreply@blogger.com (blogpost) — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 13:42:00 +0000

The internet is full of sage advice on “How to pick up women”. What to wear, how to dress, how to act, endless lists of dos and don’ts. So why does it fail us just when we need it the most? Why is it that we can’t keep our cool only when we’re around the woman we desire the most? It seems that the women we want the most are the ones we find it impossible to get. We like to tell ourselves that competition is stiff, but we all know at some level that there’s more to it than that – for most of us, there’s something wrong inside.

I’m not talking about psychological problems here. I’m talking about the normal struggles and insecurities that every man (and every woman) faces. And technique will not cure this one – a change in attitude is required, and that requires the courage to look deep inside and ask yourself some uncomfortable questions, like:

(1) Why do I have to have this particular woman?
(2) Why do I have to have any woman at all?
(3) What is it that I really want from women, anyway?

Take some time considering these questions. Dig deep. Odds are the answers will surprise you. The first answers most guys will give to all three of the above questions will usually be something like love or sexual gratification. But if my own experience is any indication, the most important motivation is something that has nothing to do with love or sex. On the contrary, the deepest and most important reason that motivates most men to seek “success with women” is to establish their own masculinity.

There. I said it. Once the Big Secret has been brought out in the open and articulated, what once seemed impossible to understand suddenly becomes simple. No woman can impart masculinity to any man, because women don’t have any to give (not any kind of woman I would go out with, anyway). A woman might be able to make you feel like a man, but she can’t make you a man.

A suggestion: take a vacation from dating and climb a mountain. Join the army. Start standing up for what you believe is right no matter what the consequences. Stop tiptoeing around people whose disapproval you fear, look them straight in the eye, and tell them what you think even if you lose your job or your friends that way. You’ll lose a lot that way but trust me – you’ll get it all back later. And when the smoke has cleared, you’ll find that you’re much more attractive to women without even trying to be.

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