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101 Ways to enhance your love life 
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Single? Seeking romance, love or a date? Perhaps you are thinking of having an affair or maybe you are having an affair.
Friends dating, free dating, dating direct girls, boys, men, women, married or single. Whatever your reasons for company 101 Ways to enhance your love life is for you.
Dating and marriage is different than it was twenty years ago. In today?s society, more than 50% of all marriages fail for one reason or another. Just thinking about that makes ?commitment? seem scary. It seems that when relationships are faced with challenges, people quit trying. Dating is m ore like a marathon, trying to date as m any people as possible, instead of taking time to get to know someone at a deeper level. For married couples, divorce is not biased. Whether married for thirty years or eight months, the outcome can be the same.
The fact is that relationships, whether dating or married, are hard. Things do not always go perfectly, fighting does occur, and it takes a 100% commitment from both parties to make it a success. Often when people break off a relationship, they feel as though something is missing. The ?spark? has gone, leaving one or both people feeling inadequate and unfulfilled.
However, even though the odds are not very good, healthy, and long-lasting relationships are definitely possible and proven by many people. Look at Paul Newman and Joanne Woodard, Danny Devito and Rhea Perlm an, or Nancy and Ronald Regan. What secrets do they possess? The answer is that they all work hard at their relationship. They made a decision of choosing to love their mate rather that relying on the ?warm and fuzzy? feelings, which everyone knows will fade. By making love a choice you are making a decision that even in the bad times, you stick it out.
Think of it like choosing a car. You pick out the make, model, year, color, and features that you believe are best for you. After driving your car for a couple of months, you realize that perhaps you should have purchased a larger car, or that maybe the leather seats would have been better, or on hot sunny days, the sunroof would have been nice. However, it is now too late so you choose to keep your car and make it work. It is the same for marriage. Not everything will be perfect and there will be major obstacles to overcome but you have made your decision and now you choose to make it work.
There are hundreds of things you can do to better your relationship. To help get you headed in the right direction, we have chosen 101 ways to build, strengthen, and enhance your relationship.
Remember, little steps taken every day will add up to big successes.
1. Start Over
When couples first get together, everything is new and exciting. They overlook the little annoying things the other person does. However, after time, the nagging starts, instead of hearing, ?You look beautiful,? they might hear ?Why are you wearing that shirt?? If this sounds like your relationship, first, the two of you need to sit down and be honest that things have changed. Identify the things each other did in the beginning of the relationship that created the attraction in the first place. Then together, make a commitment to start over. The truth is, both of you will have to work on this. It will not automatically be easy but it is possible. Start by forgiving each other, forgetting the past, and then start over with the flirtation. Focus only on the special things your mate does and relearn to put the unimportant things aside. It will take some time so be patient.
2. Schedule Time
Spending quality time together is crucial. This time can be with friends, dining out, attending a sporting event, or cuddling together while watching a favorite movie. The activity is not what is important but the fact that you are together, doing something that you both enjoy. People have extremely busy schedules and between work, family, the home, errands, and everything else going on, finding time for your mate can be difficult. Just as you would schedule a meeting on your calendar, show some courtesy in the relationship by scheduling time with each other. Once the plan is in place, no backing out unless you have some life and death emergency.
3. The Power of Touch
When a child is ill, doctors will tell you that it is proven that a simple, loving touch of a parent can quickly pull the child through a crisis. It is the same for relationships. Playing with your mate?s hair, rubbing their hand, a soft kiss on the neck, a soft pat on the leg or giving a gentle back rub will make a huge difference in how your mate responds to you. When was the last time you walked up to your mate for no reason and without saying a word, affectionately placed a kiss on their neck? This is not in a sexual way, but an affectionate way. There is a difference. The next time the two of you are sitting in the car, at the grocery story, or standing in line at the theater, quietly reach over and take their hand. Do not be surprised if you get a strange look of curiosity the first time!
4. Surprise
If you and your mate have scheduled some time for a Friday night dinner put together a surprise instead. For example, if your mate loves professional wrestling, buy some tickets near the front or if they like concerts, purchase the tickets ahead of time, getting the best seats possible. When Friday night comes around, insist on driving and head toward the location where the event is taking place. When asked where you are going, simply answer, ?I have a surprise for you. I know you love professional wrestling so I purchased two great seats for tonights performance ?or? I know we had planned on going to dinner, but I wanted to surprise you with something special. I purchased tickets to see one of your favorite groups in concert.? The idea of you getting the tickets for something THEY like and then keeping it as a special surprise will touch the heart!
5. Needed Space
As important as it is to spend quality time together, it is equally important to give each other time to do something they like. If your mate loves to fish but you have no desire to bait a hook with little, slimy worms, or if you like to go to the casino but your mate would rather do something different, encourage each other to take time apart. Try establishing a set time for this very purpose, if possible. For example, perhaps you could determine that every other Friday night is ?singles? night. This is not a time to date other people, but to enjoy preferred activities. Remember that you have to place trust in your relationship. If you try this and then drill them, to see what they did, whom they were with, and where they went, then the exercise has failed.
6. No Debates
If you know that you and your mate have proven differences in opinion on certain subjects, avoid those subjects. As an example, if you are a Republican and your mate is a Democrat, politics should probably be avoided. As the two of you identify new topics that could cause a debate session, stop the conversation before it even gets started.
7. Filler Talk
If you are married, especially with children, break out of the habit of talking about nothing. Many times, families will be sitting around the dinner table and the conversation consists of, ?Do you like your carrots?? or ?I wonder what is on TV tonight?? Instead, change your strategy to include real questions, showing real interest. Replace the normal, ?Did you have a good day at work?? with ?Tell me what you did at work today.? Even if you do not understand everything being said, listen with interest. It is not that you are so much interested in the work, but your mate?s life.
8. Re-establish Old Traditions
If you and your mate had a tradition of some e kind when you first got together, dust it off and breathe life back into it. Perhaps you met after work on Friday at the local pub for a drink, washed your cars together every Saturday morning, or attended church together on Sunday. Whatever it was, re-establish the tradition.
9. Predictability
If asking couples the factors involved in the demise of their relationship, one of the common responses is that everything in the relationship is so predictable. When rebuilding a relationship, do not be afraid of letting go of boredom. If you normally hate the fact that Saturday afternoons consist of your mate sitting for hours watching football, fix some finger sandwiches and something cool to drink and go join them on the couch, or if your m ate spends hours in the garden trying to make things look perfect, surprise them with a new flowering plant, and then help to plant it. When taking a walk with your mate, stop and give them a soft kiss, say, ?I love you,? and then keep walking. Take some chances and do the unexpected.
10. Lighten Up
Often when couples have gone through or are going through some bumpy spots in their relationship, things tend to get serious. It could be that there is a tremendous amount of tension or perhaps they are not sure what to say. Regardless of the reason, learn to lighten up. Do not take every comment, glance, or movement as a serious problem. If your mate makes a mistake, which you both will, let it go, or if appropriate, laugh about it. If you make a mistake, do not be afraid to poke fun at yourself. This will automatically start the process of tension breaking.
11. Communicate
When couples are having problems in a relationship, communication is the first thing to stop. It is often easier to just be quiet than to get mad. When rebuilding relationships, just as communication was the first to stop, it now needs to be the first to start. This will require that both individuals let down their guard and pretty much throw caution to the wind. Healing in the relationship cannot start until you talk. Make an agreement that you will talk about anything and everything and that you will listen, really listen. That does not mean that you will agree with everything, which is perfectly fine. However, if you do not agree, do not yell, rather, the two of you need to calmly discuss the issue and together, work out a solution. This is hard work but within a very short time, you will both feel much better, individually and as a couple.
12. A Night of Passion
Intimacy and passion in relationships is not only important but also healthy. Couples need to enjoy being together in an intimate way. When relationships are troubled, the last thing either person wants is to be sexual or passionate with each other. However, this is a part of the healing and rebuilding of the relationship and although it might be awkward in the beginning, it is crucial. Make your intimate time together special. Surprise your mate with a warm bubble bath, lighted candles, soft music, and a bottle of wine, or reserve a nice romantic evening at a local hotel to include a wonderful candlelit dinner, fine wine, and a beautiful room.
13. Dinner Party
Start a new tradition of hosting a dinner party every other month or two and inviting several of you and your mate?s friends. Set up board games that everyone will enjoy, have some light and lively music playing, and plan to have a blast. Spending time with friends in this kind of setting is a great way to reduce stress. When stress is low, couples get along better. This is a wonderful way to interact with each other?s friends as a couple.
14. Happy Birthday
As people grow older, in general, birthdays become less celebrated. Gifts are quickly given, meals eaten, and it is over. For your mate?s next birthday, take some time to plan something very special. Make this a true celebration of their life as a way of showing your love and appreciation. Every person, even adults, like attention and love to be appreciated. Whether a surprise party or not, your mate will be impressed that you went to all the effort just for them.
15. Secret Getaway
Plan a nice weekend getaway to some place off the beaten track where you can enjoy some privacy. A quaint cottage or charming bed and breakfast would be ideal choices. Scout out the area ahead of time and choose a few things that the two of you would like to do in the area but just be sure to leave plenty of time for you to enjoy some alone time. Order a nice bottle of wine or some hot cappuccino and relax in front of the fire! Make this a romantic weekend where you can rekindle your love.
16. Special Greeting
If your mate has to work late and you know he had a bad day, surprise him with a late-night gourmet meal. When you hear him arrive home, greet him in new, sexy lingerie, a warm kiss, and wonderful hot meal. After he picks himself up off the floor, he will fall in love with you all over again for this wonderful greeting. If reversed and the woman is coming home, after giving her a lingering kiss, have her join you in the dining room where the table is set with soft glowing candles and a wonderful meal. Have an envelope lying by her plate that when opened, she will read, ?This certificate is good for one thirty-minute massage after dinner.? This is how you keep romance alive!
17. Just Because
Give your m ate gifts ?just because.? These do not have to be expensive whatsoever. For example, one woman had a miniature dish collection in her kitchen. Her husband came home and told her that he had a gift for her. Holding out her hand, he gently placed in her hand a miniature porcelain cup with her name neatly written in blue ink. She knew that this cup probably cost no more than $2.00 but the thought that he would take the time to find something she enjoyed, was worth $1 million. The small gifts packed with thought are far m ore cherished.
18. Say it with Words
Surprise your mate with little notes found in unexpected places. If your mate travels for work; place a loving note somewhere in their suitcase. Perhaps they have a long commute to work. If so, slip a note saying, ?I love you,? in their CD case where you know they will find it. Another recommendation is sticking a note on the bathroom mirror so this will be the first thing seen in the morning. Be creative and have some fun with this.
19. Cuddle Time
When couples first start dating, cuddling is usually a part of their everyday existence. However, as the relationship progresses or after children enter the picture, the cuddling stops. Take some time just to cuddle. If your mate is sitting on the couch watching a movie, or laying in bed reading, scoot close and tell them that you just want to cuddle. This makes both people feel secure and loved.
20. Breakfast in Bed
When was the last time you or your mate were served breakfast in bed? Never? On a Saturday or Sunday, when nothing special is planned, get up a little early and fix their favorite breakfast. Include the morning newspaper as an added bonus. Although they may be shocked, you can be guaranteed that this gesture of love will be appreciated.
21. Make the Men Feel Good
For the m an in your life, here are some recommendations for making him feel special:
Flirt with him in public places Just once, leave the toilet lid up
Lavish him with compliments
Tell him how sexy he is
Act jealous once in awhile, even if you are not
Remind him that he is a wonderful m ate, husband, father, whichever applies
Tell him how handsome you find him
22. Make the Women Feel Good
Just like men, woman love feeling good about them.
These recommendations might help:
Tell her how beautiful she is
Compliment her on her many skills (be specific)
Just once, leave the toilet seat down
Tell her how much she means to you
Let her know that she is your best friend
Show affectionate to her in front of family and friends
Let her know that you find her to be sexy
23. That Kiss
As couples become comfortable with each other, kisses can become lame. Get rid of the pecks and get serious with the kisses. The next time the two of you greet each other, enjoy your kiss and do not be so quick to stop. While there are appropriate times for serious kissing, they should be loving, sincere, and passionate, regardless of how long they last. You will find that as you pay attention to your kissing and let your mate know that you enjoy kissing them, you will both feel better about your relationship.
24. Be Kind to One Another
Unbelievably, kindness is often over simplified. Even good relationships can lack acts of kindness. This refers to ?Do unto others?? Simple acts of kindness can have huge impacts on a relationship? If your husband or boyfriend is out working on the car on a hot summer day, make a thermos of ice-cold tea and take it to him, giving him a gentle kiss. If your wife or girlfriend has been working at the computer all day, walk up behind her and massage her shoulders and neck. You get the idea. Kindness means looking at the other person?s situation and seeing what you can do or add to that situation to make it better or easier. This is a way to validate your respect for each other. Kindness will go a long way in a relationship.
25. Special Hobby
Find some type of hobby that you both enjoy and then do it together. It might be that you both love refurnishing furniture. Turn this into an adventure of going to estate sales together to find nice pieces of furniture and they refurbishing them as a team. Another option would be if you have both wanted to learn how to ballroom or salsa dance. Take lessons together so you can then go out on the town and dance the night away. This is a great way to make your relationship even stronger while adding in something fun that you both enjoy.
26. Listen ? Really Listen
Get into a habit of listening to what your mate is saying. Not the kind of listening that you do when you go out or sit at the dinner table, but a different kind of listening. Have you ever overheard your mate make a comment to a friend or family m ember about something they really want or want to do? Maybe you heard your boyfriend or husband tell a friend that they would love a certain tool. For no reason whatsoever, make a special effort to get that for him. You might have heard your girlfriend or wife mention a spa that they would love to try. Again, without any reason, surprise her. This shows that your mate is really paying attention to things important to you.
27. Be a Kid
Do not be a prude. There is absolutely no reason why couples at any age cannot get into tickling matches or wrestle on the floor. Do not allow your relationship to grow old and stale. Understand and accept that it is
perfectly fine to be silly from time to time. If you have nothing special planned on a Friday night, rent a few games, order in Chinese, plug in the Play Station, and play games.
28. All Decked Out
Although most people do not get dressed formally to go out, as a special treat, find an upscale restaurant, the opera, or even a ball, where the man can wear a tuxedo and the woman an evening gown. If possible, rent a limousine and have a bottle of champagne chilling before you get in. You will both feel good about yourselves and spending this magical evening together. This is something unique that brings another unexpected twist into the relationship, which keeps things interesting and alive. The two of you will have a romantic night that you will never forget.
29. Showing Love
Although hearing the words, ?I love you? is special and important, sometimes you wish you could tell your mate as well as hear from your mate those words, but in special and unique ways. Here are some ideas of how this can be accomplished:
Rent his favorite movie, even if it is something you do not like, and plan an evening alone where you can be with him as he enjoys his special treat.
When he gets out of the shower, hand him a warm, cozy towel just heated in the dryer.
When you make him pancakes, first pour the words, ?I Love You? on the griddle and cook for a minute to brown. Then, pour more batter over the words to create a round pancake. The result will be a pancake displaying those three special words when you flip it over.
While he is out of town, wash his car and surprise him by picking him up in a clean, shiny car at the airport.
Take him out to lunch.
Have his favorite breakfast on the table along with the morning newspaper.
Instead of bugging him to go to the grocery store with you, let him stay home.
Display your favorite picture of the two of you on the refrigerator.
Buy him a subscription to his favorite magazine.
30. Split the Responsibility
Whether dating or married, weekends are always full of errands and chores. If you find that on the weekend things are lopsided, help your mate out. For example, if there are kids involved and one has soccer game while the other has a baseball game, at the same time, offer to take one of the kids and your mate takes the other. Make this a special time by packing a special lunch or snacks. Perhaps one of you has company coming and the house needs to be cleaned, laundry done, and groceries purchased. Set aside something you need done and offer to pitch in to help. Simply say you want to help and ask which of the jobs you can take over. This gesture will show your mate that you really care by sacrificing your time.
31. Love Means Having to Say You Are Sorry
If you make a mistake by doing or saying something that is hurtful or damaging to the relationship, say that you are sorry. Many people struggle with these words, even when they know that what they did was
wrong. It actually takes a strong person to apologize. Do not wait until you think you have the courage but say it immediately, and with sincerity.
Too often when couples argue, there is a long period of silence, which actually makes the anger and tension worse. You need to let your mate know immediately that you made a mistake and ask for forgiveness.
32. Be Yourself
Do not be phony in your relationship, trying to be someone or something different as a way to please your mate. For a relationship to work, both people need to be themselves and react to things naturally. Just imagine if you are really kind of on the silly side, enjoying life to the fullest. Then you meet a wonderful person who is much more conservative than you are. Because you are attracted to them, you try to You are miserable and eventually, the person is going to be exposed to the ?real? you. You have to base any relationship on honesty or it will eventually fall apart.
33. Maintain Your Health
You might think ? what does good health have to do with a good relationship? In reality, it has a lot to do with it. Having a good relationship means having the energy to enjoy getting out and doing things together. To do that, it is important to eat right. When people are tired, they become short-tempered and frustrated. For this reason, it is important to get the right amount of sleep. Good exercise keeps your body in shape for being adventurous together. Taking care of your body and mind will flow over into your relationship and make you a calmer, stronger and better-balanced person.
34. Compliment ? A Lot
Be generous with compliments. It is very common for people to notice something nice about another person and think about it internally, but never voice it. When in a relationship, compliments are like glue. They hold the couple?s attention and respect. Make sure your compliments are genuine and based on something you see or hear your mate do. If you have a clogged garbage disposal and your boyfriend or husband is able to unclog it, compliment them on being handy. If your girlfriend or wife takes her mother to the doctor, compliment her on her generosity. The fact is that criticism is destructive and can very quickly tear a relationship apart. Just like the cliché, ?If you do not have something nice to say, then do not say anything at all.? This is very true ? take notice of the good things your mate does and make it known to them that you see and appreciate those things.
35. Realistic Expectations
No matter how wonderful and flawless your mate seems, no one is perfect. Be careful about putting someone on a pedestal, especially in the early stages of your relationship. Make sure that the expectations
you have for your mate and you are realistic. There are going to be differences in opinion and probably some disagreements. Also, do not assume that your mate knows how you feel or what you think about something. When discussing something important to you, ensure that you both understand the same thing. The reality is that neither one of you are going to know exactly what the other one needs. As long as you do not expect them to read your mind and accept that this is a part of getting to know one another and communicating, you will be fine.
36. Leave the Baggage Behind
Every person on the face of the Earth has some kind of history, or ?baggage?, although at varying levels. Do not walk into a relationship with your arms loaded with that baggage. The past is the past. Even
though there are things from the past that are hurtful, and even damaging, learn from those things and come out a better and stronger person. This allows you to step into a new relationship with better knowledge of what not to do. Leave the baggage from the past alone, focus on today, and look forward to tomorrow.
37. Do Not Repeat, Do Not Repeat, Do Not Repeat
Learn from your mistakes. When something goes wrong and the two of you work through it, do not repeat the same mistake. Rather than dive right back into whatever it was you did or said, think before you act. At first, this will take some discipline but as you see positive results in the relationship, be encouraged that it is working.
38. Go on a Date
Especially for married couples, but even for some ?dating? couples, start dating. Often people become very comfortable in their relationship and sitting around on the weekends, watching movies is about as exciting as it gets. Ask your mate out. For example, actually call them and ask, ?If you do not have any plans for Saturday night, would you like to go to a concert with me?? It is crucial to relationships that they keep the fire
alive by enjoying the act of dating. There are many people in long-term, successful marriages that will tell you they go out on dates every week, this has been a huge bonus for their relationship.
39. Memory Box
Start a memory box to store old movie tickets, brochures from cities visited, concert ticket stubs, old ski lift passes, cards attached to flowers received, old love notes or letters, birthday cards or anniversary cards from your mate, anything that the two of you did together. Every once in awhile, pull the box out and look at the item s with your mate. Reminisce about each memento, and keep all the special times in your life close to your heart!
40. Keep the Kids Out of It
Whether married or dating, if there are kids involved, it is crucial that they are not used as pawns in any situation. For example, if your mate wants to get intimate and you are not in the mood, do not say, ?I need to help the kids with their homework,? or if something that needed to be done was not taken care of because you forgot, do not blame it on the kids by saying, ?I was taking care of the kids and did not have time.? In the first scenario, be honest with your m ate and tell them that you are very tired and while intimacy is important, you would prefer to make sure the kids are in bed on time so the two of you can have some quality time together. This opens an honest line of communication and does not place ill feelings on the kids, especially since it is not their problem to begin with.
41. Listen to How You Talk
When working on your relationship, more than likely you and your mate have settled into a pattern of speaking to each other. It might be with short, blunt answers, heavy sighs as though bothered, or with negative remarks. Pay attention to not only your words spoken, but also the tone in which they are spoken. Be positive, cheery, and respond in a way that will confirm to your mate that you are listening and truly interested ? that you have time to listen and communicate. In addition, add terms of endearment into your conversation. Instead of ?Good morning,? try, ?Hi honey, good morning!?
42. Making Love
Intimacy is a huge part of a successful relationship. Choose a book from the bookstore and try to bring a little excitement into your relationship. Do not be afraid to experiment and learn new and exciting ways to please each other. Keeping intimacy alive is healthy and not a bad thing whatsoever!
43. Turn the Computer Off
Often the computer becomes a replacement for a lack of something in the relationship. It might be just surfing, playing games, or getting involved with websites that promote pornography. If you notice that your mate is spending more and more time on the computer, take this as a sign that even if not doing anything wrong, they are choosing to spend the time with the computer instead of you. In other words, use this as a sign that something is missing in your relationship. Start by talking and searching to confirm what it is bothering your mate and then work on making it better!
44. Follow Tradition
Keep some tradition in your marriage, which relates to the vows you took and the fact that marriage is sacred. Treat each anniversary as a celebration of your love and the time spent together. Follow the traditional anniversary gifts and see how creative you can be. The first year anniversary gift is paper. One husband bought his wife a beautiful Chinese drawing on rice paper, signed by the artist, and had it framed for her. Make this fun, exciting, and keep traditions alive.
45. Control Your Anger
Every relationship has difficulties, and sometimes, there can be some intense arguments. For the sake of your relationship and the love you have for your mate; keep your anger in check. First, when people are angry, hurtful words fly, usually not even meant. However, after spoken, it is too late to take them back ? the damage is done. Another problem with anger is that the word ?divorce? can easily be thrown around. You may not mean it, but you know it hurts, thus making you the winner of the argument. NEVER talk about divorce in your relationship, even if just teasing. If you need to go to another room to cool off, and then do that, but whatever you do, do not allow your anger to take control of your relationship.
46. Financial Woes
One of the main reasons other than fidelity that marriages fall apart is due to finances. When couples are struggling with money problems, tempers flare, frustration builds, drinking m ay start, and it is an all-around unhealthy situation. The minute there are any signs of financial difficulties, the two of you need to immediately sit down and figure out a plan on how to deal with the problem. If needed, go to see a financial
consultant or a credit counseling service to help you get back on track. Do not allow your finances to get out of line or your relationship will certainly suffer.
47. I Forgive You
If something has happened in your relationship causing the trust to waiver, you will have many things to work through. When your mate has done something that requires you to forgive, you have to forgive, REALLY forgive. Once you have worked through the issue either together or with professional counseling, and you tell them that you forgive them; you can never hold that over them again. As an example, if your mate has had an affair and the two of you choose to work it out rather than throw the relationship away, once the problems are resolved and the forgiveness is said, it is done! This means that you cannot stalk your mate to ensure they are where they said they would be, call or page them throughout the day, constantly ask for reaffirmation of your relationship, it means that you forgive and put the past behind you and then move on in a new, strong, and healthy relationship. It will not be easy, but you can do it with the right help, attitude, and commitment.
48. Fighting No-No
While having disagreements is normal and sometimes when controlled, healthy for relationships, the place and degree of discussion are important. Keep your disagreements private. Being at a party or anywhere around family or friends and breaking into an argument is a great way to break down a relationship. Not only does it cause embarrassment for your mate, but it also puts a negative light on both of
you from the people witnessing the fight. If you are in public and think you need to argue, at least find a quiet corner or separate room where you can discuss whatever it is bothering you.
49. Strong Family Ties
When in a relationship, not only are you involved with the love of your life, but also the family of your mate. It is important to build a strong, healthy relationship with the families as well. Even if you do not see them often, having a good connection with your mate?s family will make life for everyone much better all the way around.
50. Mentoring
If you know of another couple from work or your church that has been married for many years and continued to have a strong relationship, ask them if they would mentor you. Being around positive influences and watching someone who leads by example is a great way to learn how to have a good relationship for yourself.
51. 12-Month Calendar
As a special gift, have a 12-month calendar created with pictures of special times spent between the two of you. Arrange the pictures to coordinate with the months and then as a Christmas or birthday gift, or just as a special surprise, present it to your loved one.
52. Something Handmade
You do not have to be a world-renowned artist to make something homemade and special for the love of your life. Even making a special, personalized greeting card would be appreciated and show your mate that you care enough to take the time needed to make something by hand.
53. Favorite Meal
If your m ate has a meal, that is by far the favorite above everything else, go all out and prepare everything to order. Before they arrive home, put on something nice and a little sexy, light some candles, and have a wonderful surprise waiting.
54. Trip to the Pound
If you and your mate love animals, take a trip to the local animal shelter and pick out a dog or cat that needs a good home. Adopting an animal that needs a home can be a wonderful way to have something that you both can care for and love together. This will open up for long walks, taking your new dog on a walk, or hours of playing with a sweet and funny cat.
55. Day at the Movies
Have a movie marathon some rainy or cold Saturday. Put all your errands and chores on hold and head to your nearest theater. Hit three or four movies and mix it up. Buy the theater popcorn and drinks but sneak your own candy in. This is a great way to spend some fun time together, holding hands or cuddling, while sharing some laughs and maybe tears watching a variety of flicks.
56. A Walk in the Park
Spending quality time together where you can talk and just enjoy each other?s company is critical to a good relationship. Plan a nice walk in the park to include a comfortable blanket to sit on the grass with while having a good old-fashioned picnic. Take this time talk, watch other people with their kids, and then just walk around, hand-in-hand.
57. Name a Star
As a special gift, ask your mate to join you outside at night when the sky are black and the stars shining brightly? Point up to the universe and state, ?See that star over there? That is your star. I bought it for you.?
Then present them with the certificate showing that they do in fact have a star named after them. This wonderful gift will last a lifetime!
58. Coupon Book
Create a coupon book filled with any number you like of 20-minute massages. One day when least expected, when your mate comes dragging in the door tired after a long, hard day at work, present this along with a gentle kiss. Although you are the one offering the massages, if you remain faithful to your coupons and never grumble, your love life will more than likely be enhanced and before long, your mate will be the one giving you massages.
59. Dinner by the Fire
Order in some of your favorite food, open a bottle of fine wine, light some candles, and lay out a cozy blanket in front of a roaring fire. Enjoy feeding each other food, sneaking little kisses in between. This wonderful romantic moment will help build your relationship even stronger. This kind of gesture shows your mate that you really want something special from your relationship and that spending quality time together is a priority.
60. Scavenger Hunt
If things have been a little stressed in your relationship, do something extra special. Start by creating a trail of rose petals from the door to the kitchen where your mate will find a note to go to the bedroom. In the bedroom , have another note next to an overnight bag telling them to meet you at a specific hotel restaurant where you know the ambience is cozy and romantic. The note should direct them to ask for you at the restaurant where you will be waiting to enjoy a fine dinner together. After dinner and cocktails, gently lead your mate by the hand to a beautiful room that you have reserved for the night. There on the bed is a robe and a red rose. This will do more for your relationship than you can imagine.
61. Photo Album
As a wonderful keepsake, create a photo album for your mate. Include the parents or siblings to come up with some special childhood and teenage pictures. Include family, friends, special occasions, and times of the two of you together. Whenever the two of you feel as though you are drifting apart or taking one another for granted, pull out the photo album as a reminder of the incredible person in your life.
62. The Art of Gift Giving
Everyone loves to be given a gift, especially as a surprise or ?just because.? Just remember while giving gifts is a beautiful thing to do for the person you love, there are five key essentials for making your mate know that you are giving just because you love them . First, put some thought into the gift. Do not just pick up something at the last minute so you are not empty handed. Second, make the effort. Even if you have a busy schedule, be sure to schedule time to shop. Third, give with the right attitude. You give because you appreciate and love, not because you want something back. Fourth, plan what you are going to give. Find something that is important for your mate and not necessarily to you. Finally, add the element of surprise into the gift giving. Using this equation is sure to impress your mate and leave a lasting impression.
63. Family History
Perform some extensive research on your mate?s family history, which will involve some help from the family, and create a website especially for your mate?s family where they can share information, pictures, family recipes and more! This will take some time and planning but very little money. Myfamily.com is agreat site that is extremely reasonable. This will not only touch your mate?s heart, but the hearts of the entire family.
64. A Day at the Spa
For couples where the mother or father stays home and takes care of the children all day long, show your appreciation for the hard work that takes. Hire a babysitter for about four hours and give your mate a gift certificate to a local spa where they can enjoy a relaxing massage, mineral springs, sauna, mud wrap, or whatever special treatments are available.
65. Charity
Find a charity that you would both like to contribute to and give something special in both names. For example, if there is a synergy house near where you live for unwed mothers, go in together and purchase a crib or baby clothes. Another option would be if a local park needs donations, find out what kind of trees they need and purchase a tree together. Make this something special where you go shop together and then present together. These types of kind acts are great for bringing couples closer together and help both people love and appreciate each other even more for their kindness.
66. Thunderstorms
While some people find thunderstorms to be scary, they can also be viewed as being romantic. If you have having a thunderstorm in your areas, without putting yourself in harm?s way, sit out on your porch if the storm is still off in the distance, or cuddled on the couch near a large window and just watch the lightening together.
67. Take Pride in Yourself
Every relationship goes through down time. Just because the flam e has become a mild flicker, that does not mean you have lost the love for each other, it just means you need to add a little fuel to the fire. When couples have been together for a long time, the makeup comes off, the nice clothes turn into oversized sweats and tee shirts, and instead of cuddling on the sofa or floor, one sits on the couch and the other in the recliner. Step back in time and start getting dressed up more on the weekends, invite your m ate to sit with you on the couch, dance together in your living room to some music, or take a each other over change, embrace change. You may not always like the changes that happen, but do not throw away a perfectly good relationship just because the trail starts to wind. Be patient and
encourage new directions while being honest about concerns that might arise.
77. Reap What You Sow
This is an old saying that goes back a very long way but it still holds true today. If you sow love, forgiveness, faithfulness, encouragement, honesty, and acceptance, then that are what you will reap. It is definitely true that what you put into a relationship is what you get back.
78. Board Games
Pick a night, perhaps on a cold winter night, and just enjoy playing board games. This can be with just the two of you, or with several close friends. Bring out the snacks, beverages, and just have some fun.
Laughter and fun are important factors in any relationship, for any age. Laugh and enjoy having a good time with good honest fun! You will truly be amazed at what this can do for your relationship.
79. No Interference
Do not allow other people to interfere with your relationship. If family members try to get in the middle of fights or debates, that is definite trouble. You might have friends with well-meant intentions trying to help you and your mate solve problems. Although getting another person?s perspective is not a bad thing; make sure it is when you ask for it. It is very important to keep integrity in your relationship and not allow people to interfere.
80. Adore your Mate
Beyond telling your mate that you love them, that they are special, and having passion in your relationship, you should adore your mate and what they bring into the relationship. What that means is to appreciate and love them for the person they are, faults and all. This is true devotion to your mate and demonstration that you do not take them for granted.
81. Follow Your Instincts
When things are going in a wrong direction, often people will simply keep going in the same direction while hoping that things work themselves out. The result is usually negative. Instead, listen to your gut feelings, your inner instincts. If you believe that something is bothering your mate or not right in your relationship, keep it between you and your m ate and work things out as a couple.
82. Be Creative
The words, ?I love you,? are always welcomed but why not add some creativity to the way you tell your mate you love them. Rent a billboard in a location where you know your mate drives every day that clearly says, ?I love you,? request that your mate?s radio station play a special song and message on his or her way to work, or if celebrating a special anniversary, have a skywriter fly by a ball stadium, park, or somewhere special where you are spending quality time together outdoors.
83. Make Eye Contact
You may not think this is important, but think back to the first time you saw your now mate. More than likely, the first interaction was through eye contact. If you are having dinner during the holidays with a large group of family and friends, glance over to your mate and give them a seductive wink, or if your mate is giving a speech and you are there to offer support, attentively look at them, making directly eye contact and offer a warm reassuring smile. Eyes can say a lot!
84. Learn More about Your Mate
Either find a good questionnaire or create one that does not dig up the past, but focuses on discovering other qualities about each other. One happily married couple did this and the wife, who had been standing by her husband for more than 10 years, discovered that he used to be a competitive ice skater. She had no idea. Guess what they did on Saturday?
85. Change Routines
Understand that every once in a while, it is important to throw an exciting curve into your relationship. If you are in a routine for example of offering your mate a quick peck on the lips before you part ways for the day, try adding a soft, gentle kiss on the neck. You can be assured that throughout the day, that change in routine, is what will be on your mate?s mind.
86. Dance
Finding a nice place where the two of you can enjoy a slow dance is a great way to spend time together, holding each other without saying a word. Keep in mind that to accomplish this, you can stay home and simply move some furniture out of the way, light some candles, and put on your favorite soft music and enjoy some quiet, romantic time together.
87. Sunrise/Sunset
Too often people miss the beautiful miracle of a sunrise or sunset. Schedule time to get up early one morning with a thermos of hot coffee or cappuccino and find a quiet place where the two of you can go just to watch the sun rise or set. Appreciate what nature has to offer and share it with each other.
88. Explorations
Find something they you are both interested in exploring and do it together. For example, if you live in a place where there are caves, make a day of driving around and exploring caves. Be sure to take the right equipment and safety precautions but this puts you both in a position of trusting each other and discovering something new and exciting together.
89. To Tell or Not to Tell
Experts will disagree on how much of a person past should be shares in a relationship and while some things probably should be shared, most people lean more to not sharing every aspect of the past. First, it is the past. Think back to how much people grow through the teen years to mid-twenties. Offering unnecessary information from the past is a great way to create distrust, insecurity, and more questions than answers. Be wise when sharing.
90. Respect Privacy
When two people come together in a relationship, each person has their own set of history. There are yearbooks, maybe love letters from a first love, other objects that may not seem important to one person but to the owner, they have a special meaning. It is important to respect the privacy of your mate?s ?stuff.? Do not dig through boxes of things owned by your mate out of curiosity. Instead, allow them to bring those things out if they feel it is necessary. By helping yourself, you are disrespecting something sacred to your mate, which is not healthy for any relationship.
91. No Place for Abuse
Regardless of how much you love your mate and believe in who they are, there is NEVER an appropriate time for abuse, whether physical, emotional, or verbal. If your mate shows aggression or any form of abuse toward you; seek counseling for both of you immediately to try to work through things. If your m ate refuses to go, even if it is hard, leave. First is your safety. Second, it is possible for people to learn ways in which to manage their aggressions. If this is the case, the life of the relationship has a much better chance of surviving!
92. Open Your Eyes
Do not drive yourself crazy with this, but take notice of how your relationship is going. Open your eyes and take stock of what is and is not working in your relationship. Are there definite things missing or definite problem areas that need to be worked on? Think about it.
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The Law of Attraction
One of the most well documented theories of New Age thought is the Law of Attraction. Simply put, it suggests that you will always encounter, in your life, those things which you think about on a regular basis.
There are many ideas, which have persisted throughout the course of human history, that has been blended to form the theory, so understanding it may take some time and research. However, because this ‘law’ essentially proposes you can achieve pretty-
much anything you want simply by changing your thinking patterns, it remains one of the most interesting ideas to have been championed in recent years.
Though the basic idea itself has come under attack from a number of sources, anecdotal evidence at least, suggests that some correlation between thoughts and future experiences might well exist on some level. If nothing else, the proposal encourages
people to consider the overall scope of their thoughts and emotions; and that can be no bad thing.
Many would argue that personal attributes such as the ability to maintain a positive attitude have a great effect on the circumstances of life; and so, at the root, our basic thinking might be found to be the ultimate cause of many positive and negative
experiences in life.
How Does the Law of Attraction Work?
The main problem with this theory for most people is that they have absolutely no idea how it works. How can thoughts alone impact the way that a person’s life unfolds? The honest answer is that the real theory beneath the Law of Attraction is still being worked out on a lot of levels. Some people who are strong advocates of the theory aren’t completely sure of all the ins and outs. One thing is for certain, though: a person’s actions are controlled, on whatever level, by what goes on in their head. This
basic premise underpins the whole idea.
In explaining how the Law of Attraction works, some might point to the notion of subjective reality. This is an important idea which may help to explain how thoughts can carry so much substance in reality. Without a basic knowledge of the difference between
subjective reality and absolute reality, it is very difficult to get a handle on the rest of the theory.
To put it simply, subjective reality is a theory held by many people that leads them to believe that there is only one consciousness. The primary idea behind this theory is that you are a stream of consciousness – and, because of that, everything that happens in
your personal reality is a result of what you have projected in your thoughts.
In this clearly defined world of subjective reality, the only consciousness that exists is your own. Because of that, there is a single set of intentions being impressed onto your personal reality - being projected by you; the person with total control over your
consciousness. Because of this, you can become the true master of your own thinking within that domain.
Since nobody that you encounter is truly conscious, in this way if thinking, then you is the only person in the universe who can have intentions. In this scenario, you are the sole thinker who gets to dictate what goes on in your reality. This is a very powerful thought … if you really think about it. Nevertheless, it is also a difficult idea for many people to get their minds around.
However, it is the primary premise for The Law of Attraction itself. Many people struggle with this because they don’t truly understand what they are in this subjective reality. You can’t grasp the idea if you think of you as being simply your physical body. Instead, you have to understand that you are the one consciousness that has sole control over the entire reality which is taking place before you.
The 7 Universal Principles
The following seven principles combine to create a harmony that is ultimately experienced as the Law of Attraction.
These principles are important aspects of subjective reality. They must all be understood if you want to be successful in using the Law of Attraction in your life.
1) The Principle of Manifestation
This principle proposes that overall consciousness is something that we ultimately choose as human beings. People can choose to be conscious so that they can have complete and total awareness in the here and now. Even though we may not completely recognise it, we are constantly asking ourselves the main question that pertains to current consciousness: we want to know what focused consciousness can positively create for us.
2) The Principle of Magnetism
This is a key principle that concerns equal return for our thinking. You can only attract energy of like kind. If you put out positive emotions and thoughts, then you can expect to pick up positive associations. The universe is full of energy that is constantly being recycled by us and also moves within us. Each person is an important member of a delicate creation seeking complete balance - a life lesson that has been adopted by just about every culture on the planet. People naturally seem to understand that, in life, much of what you get is dependent upon what you give.
3) The Principle of Pure Desire
The Principle of Pure Desire states that your intentions will have a great impact on the return you get. If your actions and thoughts are driven by absolutely pure intention, then you can be sure that the outcome will be in your favor. In order for those intentions to be pure, you must be thinking in a state that is free of any fear, doubt, or notion of desperation. Your motives must be clear and worthy if you are going to receive a positive response. If you fail to make your requests with good and clear motives, then your positive
energy will be negated and will not be reciprocated.
4) The Principle of Paradoxical Intent
This principle is one that dictates the way that situations evolve as a result of direct thought. If you act in desperation, for example, then a paradox will be created that will result in a negative return on your intended energy. Because you are desperate in your
thoughts, a certain vibration will be sent out which will have a negative impact on the world around you. Because of this, people who might otherwise have been in position to help you will be pushed away.
5) The Principle of Harmony
This is the principle that concerns a person’s ability to gain the good things they want in life. If you make a choice to live in accord with the universe and do not put out negative vibes, then you will effectively set yourself up for a plethora of good feelings and positive results. This can only happen if a person makes the conscious decision to align themselves with people around them and the flow of the universe. This is the one of the universal laws that requires the kind of absolute attention to positive thinking that many people just aren’t willing or able to put out.
6) The Principle of Right Action
This is the principle that rewards people who do the right things in life. The Principle of Right Action also indicates that in order to experience things like value, honor, and dignity, a person must do their part to promote those qualities in their own surroundings. If you, on the other hand, do things to break down these important universal qualities, then you will see those things deteriorate and erode in your own life. Because of this, people need to constantly be thinking about their choices and considering the impact that they might have both on themselves and on others.
7) The Principle of Expanding Influence
Many people don’t understand the overriding power of their own personal energy. Energy is one of the things that is constantly expanding in the world. If you work hard enough to have a large personal positive vibration, then that good energy can be felt throughout the world. Things that you never imagined might actually happen if you concentrate hard enough on your own personal thoughts and emotions. If you make the conscious decision to live a quality life that promotes happiness for those around you, then the positive power of influence will eventually expand to impact all of those people and things that are around
you.
History of the Law of Attraction
There are many theories about the beginning of this theory and there is no real way to trace the exact origins. The history of the Law of Attraction is connected with the desire of believers to find legitimacy in their universal ideals. It is believed that the Buddha, at one time said,
“What you have become is the result of what you have thought.”
In ancient times, at the height of learning and knowledge in Greece, many philosophers expressed similar ideas. Prior to Socrates, the prevailing thought in Greece was that a person’s belief alone was strong enough to shape reality. It is also a basic tenet of many of the major religions that beliefs shape our reality.
During the c19, various New-Thought writers proposed that positive thought could have a positive impact on the events of a person’s life. People like James Allen, Wallace D Wattles, Napoleon Hill and Charles F Haanel, to name but a few, all advanced theories of reality that proposed that thoughts can and do shape the circumstances and conditions of a person’s life.
The Law of Attraction continues to fascinate and excite people to this day. Movies such as The Secret and What the Bleep continue to provide modern insight and support for this very ancient idea.
Criticism of the Law of Attraction
One thing which has added some legitimacy to the argument for the Law of Attraction is the proposal that it has a strong relationship with Quantum Physics. If thoughts are energy, then perhaps there is some scientific basis for the Law of Attraction - since energy can attract and repel energy.
However, many people within the scientific community remain skeptical. They suggest that believers of the theory do not have any scientific basis for their proposals. Though most scientists don’t mind the exploration of the idea, they would rather those supporters of the theory were more forthright about their motives. They feel, amongst other things, that they been very misleading with their description of the supposed science at the foundation of the theory.
Scientists believe that people who buy into and promote the Law of Attraction are taking something away from legitimate science. Though there may be plenty of anecdotal evidence, there is no real way to test the theory scientifically.
In addition, there are people who feel the Law of Attraction itself is not defined correctly. According to people who study New Thought, there needs to be a re-evaluation of how the Law of Attraction is explained based upon its principles.
Religious communities have also been highly critical of the Law of Attraction. It is perhaps not surprising since many writers use scriptural references to legitimize their statements. For example, the oft-quoted words of Jesus …
“Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door shall be opened unto you.”
The Law of Attraction remains a lightning-rod issue sure to create plenty of interest and attention from people looking to improve their lives. Along with that attention comes criticism of the validity of such thinking. That is something that Law of Attraction theorists
will have to live with until they can come up with concrete proof that a connection exists between a person’s thinking and the events that occur in life.
Using the Law of Attraction
One of the interesting questions regarding the Law of Attraction deals with everyday application. With a theory that has such obscure and abstract principles, it is sometimes difficult for people to put the theory into action. In order to truly get the most out of
the Law of Attraction, a person has to be able to set realistic and reasonable goals. It isn’t something that is going to save your life or send a million dollars to your door for no reason. Being realistic with your goals is a healthy way to look at the Law of Attraction.
The primary principles behind the Law of Attraction address how different people will deal with each other. This should be where you start when you want to set goals. The Law of Attraction can bring you a great deal of good will if you put out the right vibes towards other people. Not only will this open up good energy to come your way, but it will also generally make people feel like being around you.
The Law of Attraction is something that can shift luck in your direction, but you can’t expect it to bring you a miracle. It is alright to expect that it might bring someone special into your life. It is also acceptable to expect the Law of Attraction to put you in positive situations. From there, it’s up to you to make good decisions in order to effect change in your life.
The Law of Attraction won’t immediately turn you into a perfect person, but by putting out positive vibrations and controlling your positive energy, you will ensure that positive returns head your way. In order to use the Law of Attraction, it is said that a person must have a good knowledge of what they actually want; and, in addition to that, they must ask the universe for what they want.
In addition, a primary principle is that the person must be able to apply complete focus to the thing they want. In order to truly get what one wants, a person must be able to focus positive energy and enthusiasm on the object of desire and must hold the overwhelming belief that the object already gained.
Manifesting your desires by using the Law of Attraction is something that is completely controlled by the process of action. Perhaps no one action in itself will be enough to take your dreams and turn them into reality. In order to truly see a manifestation of your goals and desires, you may have to go through a step by step process.
The key to manifesting your desires is to have a strong focus. One of the primary principles of the law is that if you focus enough of your positive energy on a certain thing, it will eventually come to pass. Though it might not happen immediately, enough positive
energy will influence situations that can help you realize those primary dreams and desires that you have.
Focus and attention to a goal is something that each person must have if they eventually want to achieve success. There’s no way to guarantee that a goal will be achieved immediately, but without focus, you can be sure that nothing good will happen in accordance with your long term goals.
What other things must you keep in mind if you want to achieve your goals through the utilization of the Law of Attraction? Perspective is obviously a very important consideration. You must understand the basic premise that you will be able to not only
survive, but even thrive without achieving your goal. Although your eyes are fixed to the prize; you know that without it, you can still enjoy a good life.
Maintaining a proper perspective on your goals will help you to project waves of positive energy. According to the Law of Attraction, this is one of the most important things that people must do if they want to achieve success. Sending out good energy
with the wrong intentions or motives will do nothing but channel negative energy back your way.
Tips for Being Successful
Don’t pick and choose
When looking at the seven universal laws above, you might have the tendency to look at one and think that it is more important than any of the others. This is a fault that can impact your ability to be successful - each of the laws carries an importance of its own; and would be completely ineffective without the other laws. In order to maintain balance, which is vitally important in being successful, meditate of each of these laws.
A complete lifestyle decision
The Law of Attraction has to apply to each aspect of your life if you are going to be successful with it. There is no way to apply it to one part of your life, while leaving it out for the sake of convenience in another part. Each time you wake up and make conscious decisions, you are sending out the vibrations that have an impact on everything in your environment. In order to truly find success, you have to be willing to make your entire life put out positive energy. It isn’t difficult to wake up in the morning and be happy, positive, and enthusiastic. It’s something you have to get used to doing and eventually it will become a habit.
Success is habit-forming, so you have to keep it up
Human beings, by our nature, are creatures of habit. Once you begin experiencing success, there is a good chance that such success will snowball and lead to more success. Waking up in the morning in a good mood may not be easy at the start, but it’s
something that you can train yourself to do. There are plenty of positive people in the world who put a great deal of conscious effort in maintaining their levels of energy and positivity. Even if it is difficult to make those decisions at the beginning, remember that it will become easier with time. If you form good habits, you will benefit in the long run.
Affirmation is an important part of the process
In order to keep your eye on success, you need to have reason to believe that your desire will come true. One way to do that is to tell yourself that the success is coming. Affirmation is a positive thing that can bring about good energy and good results in your life. Even if you are feeling good about your goals, you still need to keep those positive thoughts in your head. The best ways to keep positive energy and emotions flowing is to speak them. Say positive things to yourself about your life and the direction that you are heading – and say them repeatedly! This can ultimately create a very powerful and positive feedback in your reality.
Final Thoughts
The Law of Attraction is not difficult - once you actually begin to do the things we have discussed, positive results will invariably follow. Despite some disagreement about the finer points of the theory, no one can argue that positive thinking has a positive impact on a person’s life. If you are going to truly find success, though, you can’t simply look at the Law of Attraction as a substitute for taking action .
Attempting to secure your hopes and dreams based solely on good energy isn’t something that is highly likely. With that in mind, it would be very foolish to depend upon a natural law to provide you with everything you need. Instead, you have to be willing to take advantage of every opportunity that is presented to you.
If you are too busy waiting on the perfect solution, then you might miss out on the very helpful hand that has been placed right in front of you. Don’t be afraid to take the stepping stones that are presented to you in order to reach your dreams. Not everything comes instantly, so a little bit of patience is required. By consistently putting out positive vibrations into your personal reality, people will undoubtedly be drawn to you. Utilize those people and allow them to help you.
Because your conscious energy is always being put out, you always have to be aware of what you are feeling. No person is perfect, so nobody is going to put out positive energy all of the time, but making a commitment to this type of lifestyle can be extremely rewarding. Besides the fact that you will be sending good vibes into the atmosphere, people will just want to be around you if you are a happy, positive, enthusiastic person.
We have considered a very powerful resource you can utilize to bring you everything you want in life, but you should also be aware that the very same principle carries some risk. You can achieve a lot by using this law, but you must also remember that negative energy can send negative situations your way.
The key to staying away from bad situations is to maximize the amount of positive energy that you put out in order to counteract the occasional spike in bad emotions. If you do that, then you will eventually find great success using nature’s most powerful and oldest form of karma – The Law of Attraction.