Your well-meaning, opinionated friends and family members can systematically tear your relationship apart … if you let them.

In life and love, fear will keep you from getting what you want.

Sometimes the egocentric desire to keep score can ruin the enjoyment we get from simply giving to others.

After recently having the woman I’ve been looking at for eight years blow me away with her beauty, I can now see how appearance matters … even when we are with partners we truly believe love us no matter how shabby we look.

Are there aspects of your relationship that are too “sacred” to even discuss? If so, you might be headed for turbulence.

While many continue to criticize the songstress’s lifestyle and even sanity in her later years, I applaud her authenticity and courage to live life on her own terms – no matter what anyone else thought or said about her.

Happiness is a measure by which I evaluate what (and who) is working well in my life. What you choose to value in romantic relationships is up to you.

What qualities do you find most attractive in a potential partner? Here is what the research said.

This week, I am proud to present my first video blog, “The Most Important Decision You Will Ever Make.” The text is also available for those who prefer reading the blog to watching me run my mouth. Friends and family have already been kind enough to give me feedback and pointers on both my presentation and the content, and I am anxious to hear yours as well.

So, what do you believe to be the most important decision you will ever make?

Only you can determine what you value in life and/or how you behave in order to be “a man” or “a woman.”

My second guest blogger, Jill Nelson discusses why women so often conflate a monogamous relationship with love.

When we stop blaming our former partners, and understanding the roles that we played in failed relationships, we may find peace, personal growth and a chance at new love.

You don’t have to like your ex’s new love interest. But by bringing her into scale, you may begin liking yourself again.

If you can learn and grow from an experience, it isn’t abuse. It is a learning opportunity.

Has your mate ever done something that hurt you? A new study suggests that it probably wasn’t as painful as you remember.

Are you thinking about (or already) checking your partner’s e-mails, text messages or call logs? And is doing so getting you anywhere?

The Queen of Soul says, “Don’t be afraid to grow out of love.”

Keep minor disagreements from becoming full-blown arguments by creating some rules for engagement in your relationship.

“Abuse” is term that is thrown around pretty liberally in our society. But do you abuse the word “abuse”?

Are you hesitant to get into a relationship because you’re afraid to take a chance on love?

Who is powerful in your relationship?

Are you accepting of your loved ones – even the unpleasant parts?

If you want to keep your friends and lovers, you will have to strike a balance between what you want and what they ask of you.

When expressing our romantic thoughts and feelings, we can be far more effective (and genuine) if we skip the cliches and get a bit more creative.

Everybody has secrets. But can you get comfortable with what you don’t know about your partner?

Egos play an inevitable role in any healthy relationship. Accept your partner’s and create an environment where both of your egos can peacefully co-exist.

Attraction and rejection are parts of life. The ability to deal with them, especially rejection, is a skill.

Consider avoiding the imposition of emotional, financial and other debts upon your mate.

Gracious acceptance of the end of your relationship is a wonderful opportunity to show your partner how much you love them.

“Commitment” is not what individuals fear. The fear or trepidation is related to what someone else wants them to commit to.

Space may be just what your relationship needs…one way or the other.

Attempts to have a “normal” relationship can prevent your’s from working for you.

Build value in your relationship by being yourself. The mate for you will find you valuable.

Generally speaking, most of us have challenging histories; not just those that do things that we are uncomfortable with.

Commitment is unnecessary in romantic relationships if you are continually bringing value.