Long and lasting relationships which are the source of unending happiness are the dreams of almost every individual in the world. But more often than not, something or the other manages to destroy it before the partners get a shot at true happiness. This is mostly due to lack of effective communication in dating relationships.

The need to understand and be understood is an age-old concept which still resides in our hearts. At some point or the other, all of us want someone who can take good care of us and love us like no one has loved us before. So what goes wrong when everything's so perfect? The lack of effective communication in dating relationships is one of the major reasons for failure of the same.

The basis for mature dating relationships is good and healthy communication. Once this is absent, there is no relationship which can last for long. There might be discrepancies in the amount of time it takes for everything to get destroyed but there is always the possibility of it happening it sooner than later. Effective communication in dating relationships is what keeps the boat steady even when partners are not compatible with each other. Discussing what annoys you most about your better half or hearing out her problems are always good ways to keep the flame burning bright!

When some problem creeps up, most of us have the tendency to sweep it under the carpet because we don't want to create unfriendly vibes. But the lack of effective communication in dating relationships tends to weaken the link holding us together. The abundance of these feelings grows bigger by the day until someone in the relationship will ultimately burst forth. Since the bottled up feelings have taken a much more serious context, it is more than likely to start a fight.

Effective communication in dating relationships is the answer to long and lasting bonds. By communicating, you can make the other person feel special and loved. Rather than speaking all the time, you should also listen. Listening is as important as speaking out your true feelings. Be kind and patient while listening to your partner and things are certain to take a brighter note. It is very important to have trust in your partner in a relationship and this comes with effective communication in dating relationships.

Forgiveness is another aspect to mature dating relationships that make them a success. Coupled with communication learning to forgive is a powerful tool that enables you to be free and your partner to be human. When there is a misunderstanding the first thing people do is take up offense and allow it to brew resentment and bitterness in their heart. This only festers more and more negative energy resulting in hurt words and wounding hearts. A huge aspect of successful, mature dating relationships is learning to forgive quickly. With good communication and the ability and willingness to forgive you are creating an atmosphere for love to grow deep and strong.

Allen Tane is an experienced writer on the professional singles market and mature dating industry. He has been writing for quite a while and has had countless articles published. Some of Allen's most favorite topics to write on include single professionals over 30, mature professional singles, mature dating relationships, and matchmaking. Allen's articles are well written and memorable. They are especially great for anyone looking to start dating and still keep up with their daily activities.

I set a goal this August to clean my closets and garage. This was a daunting task, one I had been putting off for years. My closet had been stuffed to its max with clothes from a different era. An era in which I was not only much thinner, but one in which I spent time going out on weekends in my search for love. In addition to mini skirts and expensive halter tops circa 2005, there were splatter paint jeans, pink corduroys and pairs of jeans that were worn so long they had ripped in the one corner of the back left pocket; the sign they have been worn too long. I also rummaged through the dirtied, cluttered drawers in my bathroom filled with Smashbox, Stila and Mac makeup from the late 90's, dozens of tiny tubes that contained stale perfume samples, and at least ten pounds of half-used bottles of hair product. The clutter didn't stop there. My garage was also a disaster, as it had been storing relics from an era of parenthood that had long passed. I had toddler toys, clothes, puzzles, chew toys, enough books to begin a library, and two strollers. As my children are almost 14, 11 and 7, it was time to remove these items from my house. I needed to create space.

Space.

Which is, according to my research, experience and Laws of the Universe, the secret to attracting lasting love. One of the first steps in the Dating With Dignity process to MANifest love is what I call The Dating Fast, a pre-determined period of time which requires that one completely stops all forms of activity directly involved with the pursuit of a relationship. Some women call it "space," some a "cleans," while others just all it horrid. They simply don't want to do it.

Online daters admit that the act of checking email, reviewing profiles of prospective partners, composing emails, and instant message flirtation provides them with hope. Others crave the little crumbs of validation that come in the form of winks, smiles or requests to video chat. Other women claim it is entertainment that effectively fills a void when they are home alone, susceptible to feelings of loneliness.

Some women prefer speed dating, or going to bars or restaurants with the goal of meeting someone who might ask for their phone number. Once again, there are expectations and often disappointments. If things go well and numbers are exchanged, however, only tidbits of attention are doled out, often haphazardly, via circular text messages that rarely lead to an invitation to more than "meeting up." "hanging out," or "getting together...sometime." Most important, most of these interactions are with the wrong men; men with whom these women truly don't even want to build a relationship.

Nevertheless, the believe, "something... is better than nothing." Yet, if one is truly looking for lasting love with a man who will provide the time, attention, and affection they deserve, is it truly better to accept less?

I think not.

In fact, what ultimately happens in this no-win cycle is that harmful limiting beliefs are perpetuated. As women engage in this cycle they are fed a steady diet of "proof" that their beliefs such as "there are no good men out there," "men just want sex," "men don't get it," "men don't call back," are true. The result? Women are at risk of consciously or unconsciously bringing their beliefs and the resultant negative energy into each interaction, sabotaging the exchanges they have with men, resulting in frustration, cynicism and gloom.

The Dating Fast puts a quick stop to this vicious cycle, allowing women to take pause. Clean their emotional closets. Do the work. Toss their past hurts and disappointments in a Hefty Bag and take them out of the garage that has become their broken hearts. Quite simply, The Dating Fast provides women an opportunity to get rid of negative thoughts, limiting beliefs and baggage from another era of their lives. Their pink corduroy pants and Smashbox eyeshadow whose name may have been John, Michael, or Dave.

The Dating Fast is not easy. In fact, emotions will most assuredly bubble to the surface when the computer beckons and you must refuse. During those evenings when there is nothing on TV and you have watched your favorite episodes of "That 70s Show" too many times to count, be sure you will question what it is you truly want. Are you willing to settle for just "anything," or are you willing to search inward? Take time to nurture yourself. Create new opportunities for friendships. Take up hiking. Investigate yoga. Go wine tasting. Or take a cooking class. Not with the intention to meet men, but with an intention to fill the void in your heart. The Dating Fast provides opportunities to create joy; new, deeper connections to friends and family; and time to appreciate the quiet and solace of being with, and falling in love with yourself.

Among the daily disaster stories of broken hearts, dreams and marriages, there are huge beacons of light extending ever outwards keeping the pillars of committed relationships alive and strong. Beacons of light in the form of happy, long and solid partnerships untouched by therapeutic or counselling intervention.

You may, with a small cynical smirk, say "yes but I bet those relationships are symbiotic and unhealthy, where one person must be pandering to the needs of the other and deep down harbouring huge grudges". Yes there are some of those for sure, but what of those marriages and partnerships that are flying in the face of the 50% global divorce rates, where longevity reigns and donkeys years later they are as happy and fulfilled as the day they laid eyes on each other?

The beauty of online social networking recently collided me with a Facebook friend called Steve, who sent me a message to say thankfully he didn't need my help because his marriage to Coral has just reached its 30 year anniversary. Delighted and warmed by his words, I got to wondering just what does keep love alive for that long nowadays? I asked him if he would share with us his insights from his long and happy marriage and was thrilled when he agreed!

Reading his answers and bearing in mind the ingredients for conscious relationship, it appears that two people who genuinely love each other, don't need outside help because they just get that it IS what you can offer the relationship and each other, rather than what you can take from it, that makes it work.

1) How long have you and Coral been married and how old are your children?

Coral and I have been married for 30 years this last September. We have two children. Shaw, my son, 27 and my daughter Shirling, 25.

2) How did you guys meet and how quickly did you know you wanted to be together long term?

Coral and I met on a blind date. We hit it off straight away. By the end of the evening I felt as if I had known her for years instead of just the few hours.

Imago theory states that the feeling of "I felt as if I had known her for years" is the unconscious "matching" process stimulated by the brain and body chemicals that bonds us for the work of completion from childhood into wholeness or full adulthood. Our search is essentially an unconscious one for someone, in the main, who will create the right conditions for healing negative childhood experiences. We re-create those same conditions together in order to replay the old "movie" and get it right this time around! Deep and profound, I know, but life wasn't meant to feel bad, so we attempt to replay the less pleasant parts of our past to forge a happier and resolved outcome! You still with me? This person replicates the energy and traits of one or both of our parents, hence the feeling of "knowing" them forever. It's an ancient "ah ha" knowing. Moving on!

3) Did you have matching goals for a relationship then? If not how did you find your way together?

We didn't have any goals as such when we started dating; we just took each day as it came. Luckily our feelings for each other grew stronger every day, everything just felt so right. We just wanted to be together as much and as often as we could. We didn't have to find a way. It was just a natural progression. We went with the flow.

The feeling of naturalness and ease is beautiful. Our bodies are in sync chemically and physically and we feel an effortless ease with ourselves and the world. The potential for completeness and oneness with ourselves. So maybe we don't need common goals in the logical sense. Maybe it IS all in the feeling, the instinct, the rightness and Divine intent at play!

4) What do you believe are the key ingredients to a long term and happy marriage?

I think THE key ingredient to a happy long term relationship is to never ever stop courting each other. Always be boyfriend and girlfriend no matter how old you get and always respect each other as much as you did on that first date!

So keeping the honeymoon phase alive each day by doing something appreciative! What great advice Steve. So easy to let things slip, but a little gentle regular nurturing is no effort at all really. Simple stuff but these little gestures keep you connected and stop the chasm starting to form.

5) Conflict and more difficult times are a normal stage of any relationship. How do you both navigate through those times together and how do you resolve conflict?

Conflict depends on the circumstances. If I get upset or lose my temper, I always go away and firstly look at myself and ask myself a question, "Who is really right?". Invariably it is Coral! But logic kicks in and I apologise and admit that she is right and I was wrong. Or, if the other way around, I calmly sit down and explain why I think I am right and Coral admits that I may be right and she is wrong.

It's down to communication and the ability to hear the other person's side of the argument or problem and then resolve it. Talk to each other rather than charge at each other like a bull in a china shop, and listen to each other honestly. Try to understand the other's point of view rather than always expecting to be right on every occasion.

Wonderful stuff. Conscious communication fuelled by the desire every time to be self aware and responsible for owning your stuff. A game for two not one! Steve and Coral both have a willingness to resolve conflict with honest discussion and also with a wanting to make it right again.

6) What would you say are the major irritations in marriage and why?

I don't think there are any major irritations in marriage! Any major irritations originate from within us, through not understanding situations and circumstances. We have met many challenges in our marriage, but have always stood side by side and faced them together and overcome them.

Wise words indeed. What we feel is our stuff to own. The art of conscious communication is knowing how to kindly articulate what is coming up and to help each other feel safe enough to let the words be and to offer empathy and support.

7) How do you keep the romance alive even after bringing up children?

Keeping romance alive is so easy! I don't think anyone need ask this question. I love Coral to bits and have no problem, what so ever, in telling her every single day of our lives. I show it by always giving her a great big hug at every chance...morning, noon and night and holding her hand whenever we go out. I buy her flowers just for the fun of it and get her a Monday or a Tuesday present or an "any day" present just to see her smile and let her know that I love her. We take each other out to dinner. She gets up with me at 01:30 in the morning to make sure I have a cup of tea and a bit of breakfast before going to work. She insists on doing it! Nothing I say will make her stay in bed. Genuinely caring for each other and each other's feelings keeps the romance alive.

Beautiful! It's all about thought and kindness. Doesn't take much does it! We are programmed to experience and give joy. It is our natural essence. I wonder then that this "constancy" of keeping the romantic elements alive, keeps the negative thoughts and feelings naturally at bay?

8) Some people talk of drifting apart after having kids...why do you think that happens and how did you manage to keep your relationship strong?

People drift apart because they don't leave time in the day for each other when the kids are around. Coral and I always made time in the day for each other. We shared the chores of bringing up the kids so had time for each other. Many people spend no time together because the children take all the focus, then the parents lose focus of each other and slowly and unwittingly grow apart. Suddenly they look at each other over the table after a few years and no longer recognise the person that they are looking at. They have forgotten the tender kisses, the warmth, and the cuddles they use to share. They no longer hear the whisper of love in each other's ears, or feel the warmth of a loving touch. It's not just about sex, but a warm touch of your hand on hers just to say I love you and am here with you and always will be.

9) Conscious Relationships require heaps of self awareness /responsibility. Do you both own what you put into your relationship?

I am aware of my relationship, my feelings for my wife and her feelings for me. Do I own what I put into my relationship? No, I don't own it. I live it with every breath I breathe. I am aware that I am a very lucky man to have such a fantastic wife and lover. Someone who feels a part of my soul and part of my life force.

Steve put's it so well. He lives his relationship! His commitment to Coral and hers to him shines through with every word. They are at the top of each other's list of life values every day.

10) Being authentic or being yourself is critical to leading a happy and fulfilled life. Do you allow each other the freedom to be authentic and how?

Yes! After 30 years of sharing our lives together we can do nothing else. You have to be yourself. It would be impossible to be anything else and expect it to work because some time or another the cracks will show and the walls will come tumbling down. Always be yourself and accept each other for what you both are. We are all individual people. Marriage does not give consent of ownership of each other. We still need respect and freedom as people.

Couldn't have put it better myself!

11) What advice would you give to other people in relationships who are struggling?

I would not try to advise other people unless I knew why they are struggling. There are a million reasons why relationships fail. All I can say is... nothing is too high to climb or too wide to cross if you really sincerely love each other. Be there for each other. Remember the first time you met. You would have moved mountains to do things for each other. So go and find that mountain if you really genuinely love each other and give that mountain a bloody good shove!

So there you have it. Advice from a couple who have been there, seen it and done it and are as happy today, as they were when they met. The secrets?

There are none. Being loving and offering love is what it's all about. What I get from reading this however, as Conscious Union evolves and understands some of the mysteries of people and love, is that a commitment to help each other grow through life and not trying to get your needs met first, is the master key to the creation of a conscious relationship.

Steve and Coral show us that, despite the complicated nature of many people who get stuck in "he did this to me or she said that", showing love consistently no matter what the relationship weather, keeps love alive. It seems so simple but when a relationship exists from the heart, it is just that...simple.

Make love your present this Christmas.

I am a relationship educator and motivational speaker on the subject of love and a qualified Unity Hatha Yoga teacher specialising in partner yoga, teaching couples how to re-connect through the very powerful use of non-verbal dialogue. I am also a natural therapist offering spiritual guidance and healing tools as a way to discovering the true self and healing from the past. I am not a counsellor or psychologist but I would say, an expert in falling in love and getting hurt. I have a 25 year portfolio of experience in love relationships, which I often fondly reflect on and am now the proud owner of. I don't have any major sob stories to tell you, but it is true that I have allowed my heart to take a beating a few times. I wanted to know why I was so strongly attracted to the "wrong" men that were non-committal and dangerous for the female heart. During a trip to India in 2007, someone said to me "You must become the person you want to attract Gina". It was a revelation. I set about self education and reading all the books I could get my hands on about love and why we do the things we do. The result? It is ALL about me and what we give out we get back. Seems so simple but how many of us REALLY know what to do about it?

Web http://www.consciousunion.co.uk
Blog http://www.ginahardy.blogspot.com

There are four essential stages of a dating relationship that must be followed in sequence if you want to create a healthy relationship with lasting love. It doesn't matter if you meet your special date on internet dating sites, through a matchmaker or by chance. You will sabotage your chances for a deep, loving relationship unless you follow the ideal pace and progression from the moment you meet online or off.

What are the four essential stages of a dating relationship?

I'll summarize the ideal progression of a dating relationship as it was explained by best-selling author, TV host, and America's favorite Rabbi Shmuley Boteach during his interview with the President of JDate, a premiere online dating site.

The dating advice that Rabbi Shmuley shares in his book, Dating Secrets of the Ten Commandments, transcends religious dogma and touches the heart of every single man and woman seeking true and lasting love. Here are the four essential stages in a dating relationship, courtesy of Rabbi Shmuley:

Stage 1. Attraction

You are mysteriously drawn to someone across the room, or to a photo on an internet dating site. You don't know their name, interests, hobbies, inner strengths or weaknesses. Hopefully, you are drawn to them for reasons beyond the merely physical shallow and superficial. In stage one, you need to feel compelled by them, as if there is something pushing you toward them.

Stage 2. Verbal Exploration

You begin to explore each other verbally (not physically). You join in conversation to find out the basics about each other--who you are, where you are from, what you do. If you enjoy the chemistry in your initial connection, you naturally progress to the next stage in a dating relationship.

Stage 3. Emotional Intimacy

You begin to tell each other things you haven't told anyone else. It's where deep trust and deep togetherness is fostered in the relationship. Once you've established a solid emotional bond, you are ready to take your relationship to the next level.

Stage 4. Physical Intimacy

A sexual relationship is the consummation of the first three stages. It's very important that couples follow these four stages in sequence to create a solid foundation for an enduring relationship with lasting love.

What happens if you progress through these four stages out of order?

Rabbi Shmuley explained the risks if you start with attraction and then go straight to physical intimacy, which is what a lot of couples do before they've had a chance to become emotionally intimate.

When you skip over stages two and three, then those stages may never be developed. That third stage, emotional intimacy, might never come and that second stage, verbal exploration, having good communication, it might never come.

So you can't put these stages out of order if you want to develop a relationship with emotional depth, enduring passion and true love.

And if you're single and seeking to meet your great love, I invite you to enjoy a free month membership in the Singles Club Of Tribe Of Blondes. Not a hair color, it's a resilient, optimistic spirit that unites us and fuels our passionate choices and personal triumphs.

The Singles Club was created by author, Hadley Finch--a real-life Carrie Bradshaw who writes about love and relationships. Hadley's articles, podcasts and novel, TRIBE OF BLONDES, are inspired by her online dating adventures in 3 continents and 200 blind dates after her long marriage ended in divorce.

Hadley makes sure that singles never have to go on another blind date again, since they meet through video chats, special events and travel vacations in the Singles Club. Claim your free, 30-day trial membership when you visit http://www.tribeofblondes.com and click on SINGLES CLUB. Enjoy!

Among the daily disaster stories of broken hearts, dreams and marriages, there are huge beacons of light extending ever outwards keeping the pillars of committed relationships alive and strong. Beacons of light in the form of happy, long and solid partnerships untouched by therapeutic or counselling intervention.

You may, with a small cynical smirk, say "yes but I bet those relationships are symbiotic and unhealthy, where one person must be pandering to the needs of the other and deep down harbouring huge grudges". Yes there are some of those for sure, but what of those marriages and partnerships that are flying in the face of the 50% global divorce rates, where longevity reigns and donkeys years later they are as happy and fulfilled as the day they laid eyes on each other?

The beauty of online social networking recently collided me with a Facebook friend called Steve, who sent me a message to say thankfully he didn't need my help because his marriage to Coral has just reached its 30 year anniversary. Delighted and warmed by his words, I got to wondering just what does keep love alive for that long nowadays? I asked him if he would share with us his insights from his long and happy marriage and was thrilled when he agreed!

Reading his answers and bearing in mind the ingredients for conscious relationship, it appears that two people who genuinely love each other, don't need outside help because they just get that it IS what you can offer the relationship and each other, rather than what you can take from it, that makes it work.

1) How long have you and Coral been married and how old are your children?

Coral and I have been married for 30 years this last September. We have two children. Shaw, my son, 27 and my daughter Shirling, 25.

2) How did you guys meet and how quickly did you know you wanted to be together long term?

Coral and I met on a blind date. We hit it off straight away. By the end of the evening I felt as if I had known her for years instead of just the few hours.

Imago theory states that the feeling of "I felt as if I had known her for years" is the unconscious "matching" process stimulated by the brain and body chemicals that bonds us for the work of completion from childhood into wholeness or full adulthood. Our search is essentially an unconscious one for someone, in the main, who will create the right conditions for healing negative childhood experiences. We re-create those same conditions together in order to replay the old "movie" and get it right this time around! Deep and profound, I know, but life wasn't meant to feel bad, so we attempt to replay the less pleasant parts of our past to forge a happier and resolved outcome! You still with me? This person replicates the energy and traits of one or both of our parents, hence the feeling of "knowing" them forever. It's an ancient "ah ha" knowing. Moving on!

3) Did you have matching goals for a relationship then? If not how did you find your way together?

We didn't have any goals as such when we started dating; we just took each day as it came. Luckily our feelings for each other grew stronger every day, everything just felt so right. We just wanted to be together as much and as often as we could. We didn't have to find a way. It was just a natural progression. We went with the flow.

The feeling of naturalness and ease is beautiful. Our bodies are in sync chemically and physically and we feel an effortless ease with ourselves and the world. The potential for completeness and oneness with ourselves. So maybe we don't need common goals in the logical sense. Maybe it IS all in the feeling, the instinct, the rightness and Divine intent at play!

4) What do you believe are the key ingredients to a long term and happy marriage?

I think THE key ingredient to a happy long term relationship is to never ever stop courting each other. Always be boyfriend and girlfriend no matter how old you get and always respect each other as much as you did on that first date!

So keeping the honeymoon phase alive each day by doing something appreciative! What great advice Steve. So easy to let things slip, but a little gentle regular nurturing is no effort at all really. Simple stuff but these little gestures keep you connected and stop the chasm starting to form.

5) Conflict and more difficult times are a normal stage of any relationship. How do you both navigate through those times together and how do you resolve conflict?

Conflict depends on the circumstances. If I get upset or lose my temper, I always go away and firstly look at myself and ask myself a question, "Who is really right?". Invariably it is Coral! But logic kicks in and I apologise and admit that she is right and I was wrong. Or, if the other way around, I calmly sit down and explain why I think I am right and Coral admits that I may be right and she is wrong.

It's down to communication and the ability to hear the other person's side of the argument or problem and then resolve it. Talk to each other rather than charge at each other like a bull in a china shop, and listen to each other honestly. Try to understand the other's point of view rather than always expecting to be right on every occasion.

Wonderful stuff. Conscious communication fuelled by the desire every time to be self aware and responsible for owning your stuff. A game for two not one! Steve and Coral both have a willingness to resolve conflict with honest discussion and also with a wanting to make it right again.

6) What would you say are the major irritations in marriage and why?

I don't think there are any major irritations in marriage! Any major irritations originate from within us, through not understanding situations and circumstances. We have met many challenges in our marriage, but have always stood side by side and faced them together and overcome them.

Wise words indeed. What we feel is our stuff to own. The art of conscious communication is knowing how to kindly articulate what is coming up and to help each other feel safe enough to let the words be and to offer empathy and support.

7) How do you keep the romance alive even after bringing up children?

Keeping romance alive is so easy! I don't think anyone need ask this question. I love Coral to bits and have no problem, what so ever, in telling her every single day of our lives. I show it by always giving her a great big hug at every chance...morning, noon and night and holding her hand whenever we go out. I buy her flowers just for the fun of it and get her a Monday or a Tuesday present or an "any day" present just to see her smile and let her know that I love her. We take each other out to dinner. She gets up with me at 01:30 in the morning to make sure I have a cup of tea and a bit of breakfast before going to work. She insists on doing it! Nothing I say will make her stay in bed. Genuinely caring for each other and each other's feelings keeps the romance alive.

Beautiful! It's all about thought and kindness. Doesn't take much does it! We are programmed to experience and give joy. It is our natural essence. I wonder then that this "constancy" of keeping the romantic elements alive, keeps the negative thoughts and feelings naturally at bay?

8) Some people talk of drifting apart after having kids...why do you think that happens and how did you manage to keep your relationship strong?

People drift apart because they don't leave time in the day for each other when the kids are around. Coral and I always made time in the day for each other. We shared the chores of bringing up the kids so had time for each other. Many people spend no time together because the children take all the focus, then the parents lose focus of each other and slowly and unwittingly grow apart. Suddenly they look at each other over the table after a few years and no longer recognise the person that they are looking at. They have forgotten the tender kisses, the warmth, and the cuddles they use to share. They no longer hear the whisper of love in each other's ears, or feel the warmth of a loving touch. It's not just about sex, but a warm touch of your hand on hers just to say I love you and am here with you and always will be.

9) Conscious Relationships require heaps of self awareness /responsibility. Do you both own what you put into your relationship?

I am aware of my relationship, my feelings for my wife and her feelings for me. Do I own what I put into my relationship? No, I don't own it. I live it with every breath I breathe. I am aware that I am a very lucky man to have such a fantastic wife and lover. Someone who feels a part of my soul and part of my life force.

Steve put's it so well. He lives his relationship! His commitment to Coral and hers to him shines through with every word. They are at the top of each other's list of life values every day.

10) Being authentic or being yourself is critical to leading a happy and fulfilled life. Do you allow each other the freedom to be authentic and how?

Yes! After 30 years of sharing our lives together we can do nothing else. You have to be yourself. It would be impossible to be anything else and expect it to work because some time or another the cracks will show and the walls will come tumbling down. Always be yourself and accept each other for what you both are. We are all individual people. Marriage does not give consent of ownership of each other. We still need respect and freedom as people.

Couldn't have put it better myself!

11) What advice would you give to other people in relationships who are struggling?

I would not try to advise other people unless I knew why they are struggling. There are a million reasons why relationships fail. All I can say is... nothing is too high to climb or too wide to cross if you really sincerely love each other. Be there for each other. Remember the first time you met. You would have moved mountains to do things for each other. So go and find that mountain if you really genuinely love each other and give that mountain a bloody good shove!

So there you have it. Advice from a couple who have been there, seen it and done it and are as happy today, as they were when they met. The secrets?

There are none. Being loving and offering love is what it's all about. What I get from reading this however, as Conscious Union evolves and understands some of the mysteries of people and love, is that a commitment to help each other grow through life and not trying to get your needs met first, is the master key to the creation of a conscious relationship.

Steve and Coral show us that, despite the complicated nature of many people who get stuck in "he did this to me or she said that", showing love consistently no matter what the relationship weather, keeps love alive. It seems so simple but when a relationship exists from the heart, it is just that...simple.

Make love your present this Christmas.

I am a relationship educator and motivational speaker on the subject of love and a qualified Unity Hatha Yoga teacher specialising in partner yoga, teaching couples how to re-connect through the very powerful use of non-verbal dialogue. I am also a natural therapist offering spiritual guidance and healing tools as a way to discovering the true self and healing from the past. I am not a counsellor or psychologist but I would say, an expert in falling in love and getting hurt. I have a 25 year portfolio of experience in love relationships, which I often fondly reflect on and am now the proud owner of. I don't have any major sob stories to tell you, but it is true that I have allowed my heart to take a beating a few times. I wanted to know why I was so strongly attracted to the "wrong" men that were non-committal and dangerous for the female heart. During a trip to India in 2007, someone said to me "You must become the person you want to attract Gina". It was a revelation. I set about self education and reading all the books I could get my hands on about love and why we do the things we do. The result? It is ALL about me and what we give out we get back. Seems so simple but how many of us REALLY know what to do about it?

Web http://www.consciousunion.co.uk
Blog http://www.ginahardy.blogspot.com

There are four essential stages of a dating relationship that must be followed in sequence if you want to create a healthy relationship with lasting love. It doesn't matter if you meet your special date on internet dating sites, through a matchmaker or by chance. You will sabotage your chances for a deep, loving relationship unless you follow the ideal pace and progression from the moment you meet online or off.

What are the four essential stages of a dating relationship?

I'll summarize the ideal progression of a dating relationship as it was explained by best-selling author, TV host, and America's favorite Rabbi Shmuley Boteach during his interview with the President of JDate, a premiere online dating site.

The dating advice that Rabbi Shmuley shares in his book, Dating Secrets of the Ten Commandments, transcends religious dogma and touches the heart of every single man and woman seeking true and lasting love. Here are the four essential stages in a dating relationship, courtesy of Rabbi Shmuley:

Stage 1. Attraction

You are mysteriously drawn to someone across the room, or to a photo on an internet dating site. You don't know their name, interests, hobbies, inner strengths or weaknesses. Hopefully, you are drawn to them for reasons beyond the merely physical shallow and superficial. In stage one, you need to feel compelled by them, as if there is something pushing you toward them.

Stage 2. Verbal Exploration

You begin to explore each other verbally (not physically). You join in conversation to find out the basics about each other--who you are, where you are from, what you do. If you enjoy the chemistry in your initial connection, you naturally progress to the next stage in a dating relationship.

Stage 3. Emotional Intimacy

You begin to tell each other things you haven't told anyone else. It's where deep trust and deep togetherness is fostered in the relationship. Once you've established a solid emotional bond, you are ready to take your relationship to the next level.

Stage 4. Physical Intimacy

A sexual relationship is the consummation of the first three stages. It's very important that couples follow these four stages in sequence to create a solid foundation for an enduring relationship with lasting love.

What happens if you progress through these four stages out of order?

Rabbi Shmuley explained the risks if you start with attraction and then go straight to physical intimacy, which is what a lot of couples do before they've had a chance to become emotionally intimate.

When you skip over stages two and three, then those stages may never be developed. That third stage, emotional intimacy, might never come and that second stage, verbal exploration, having good communication, it might never come.

So you can't put these stages out of order if you want to develop a relationship with emotional depth, enduring passion and true love.

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