Bribing paid off.
I could not wait to write a wrap-up for the week this week because there are a lot of exciting things to share today.
Many of you know I was begging for votes for Studio30 Plus’s 2011 Boomerang Awards. I even promised to bake cookies for a few of you in exchange for votes. Well, I WON Best Blog Layout! I am so happy, especially after recently writing how I worried the break in writing would affect the progress I made last year with the blog. I am coming back faster than I could have imagined. Thank you readers. You never left when I took a break in writing. In the blogging world that is really significant.
I decided to expand my writing to include relationships and love and started a two week series this week. As a single mom dating, it is a part of my life and to be silent about it felt like I was limiting myself. There has been an overwhelmingly positive response with tweets, emails, and comments on the blog this week.
Yesterday I wrote about the qualities I am looking for in a man. Here’s an excerpt from a comment left by Random Girl:
“When looking at your list, you would think that most normal human beings would possess these basic qualities almost as instinct. But I, like you, have discovered through much much trial and many many errors that it is harder than it looks to find someone with the basics.”
She is right. And that thought could also be applied to love and loving another person. Being in a relationship is a lot of work if you want it to be successful long-term, but it really is very simple if you allow it to be. Isn’t it the small things in daily life together that makes the greatest impact? Saying you love your partner, being kind and thoughtful, and other simple gestures is what builds a great foundation in a loving relationship. It is not that difficult to keep a loving relationship on track if the foundation is there.
Random Girl’s comment helped me choose Song of the Week. This Plain White T’s song makes it very clear that it really is as simple as 1,2,3,4.
Yes, there are tough times, but if the foundation is there, I believe a relationship can weather any storm.
Happy Friday!
The blog layout award was much deserved… I’ve always envied the look of your blog!
Dating is not easy.. and can be frustrating. I’ve seen it all through my 20 years of adulthood, having never been married but in many long & short term relationships. I’m looking forward to your series!
SD
Simple Dude~
Thank you for saying such nice things. That means a lot since you are the Studio30 Plus Rock Star!!
Oh my, I am so honored that you would find my comments worthy of quoting. I have nothing to offer you but my experience and my encouragement. Love bravely and never second guess yourself. Can’t wait to see your discoveries and am glad you are sharing as you go!
Random Girl~
You left great advice. How could I not quote you? Are you setting me up to quote you again?
“Love bravely and never second guess yourself”
I needed to hear that because I don’t feel brave with my heart and I am not sure I trust my ability to choose a good man for me after the last experience. I will keep this in mind.
Thank you. Again.
You’re so right. It does take effort but it comes naturally if you’re focused on the right things. In a truly loving relationship both people place value on the other persons feelings and that makes the effort easy. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.
Rodney,
I agree with you, but would like to add that it comes naturally when you are with someone who is compatible and possesses the right qualities for you. Being in a relationship with the right person is much easier than a forced fit.
You always have insightful comments. Thanks for visiting regularly.
I hope you enjoy the series.
I am in love. For the first time in my life, I am in love. Prior to “finding” my current husband I was in a 10 year loveless relationship… 5 years of dating and 5 years of marriage.
I often wonder why I married my ex-husband when I really didn’t love him in the first place… I cared about him. He was a good man. He was a good friend but he was not a suitable life-partner.
The only conclusion I could draw was that at that point in my life I felt I was unloveable and if anyone was interested in me, I would have to accept that person because no one else would love me.
However, if it were not for my ex-husband, I would have never found my soul mate because it was through my ex that I met the love of my life. Now that I’ve met my soul mate I think I do deserve love, I am loveable and I am in love.
Do not settle… you deserve the best.
Thank you for inspiring me to share these thoughts… I think I may have to share my story sometime on my blog. In the meantime, I look forward to following you on the journey through this next phase of your life.
Jennifer,
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I really won’t compromise again. It will either be right for me or time to move on. Having a clearly-defined list does help on this journey.
I am so glad you will be following. And congrats on your 100th blog post!!!
I’m glad you won the layout award. Your blog sure is purty, uh-hunh!
Relationships sure are hard (uh-hunh). Like you say it’s the simple things that make them great, but the bummer is also true on the downside: the simple things sure can ruin them relationships too, uh-hunh… Sigh. Why do these things have to be so complicated?
I am looking for an easy relationship this time around. Not easy as in I won’t work hard at maintaining a good relationship. I just don’t constantly want conflict and drama. I think that is possible to find.