I think with the progressing times we've given way to technology and put our hearts in the line of fire for abuse, our pride on the floor to be stepped on, and threw courage out the door. However, there are ways to rebuilding and creating great relationships and this goes for all the forms of love eros, philia, storge, or agape (my fave). There are a few things we all need to do better though. Here it is:
1. Stop looking for someone to complete you. You complete yourself and there is nothing more simple and beautiful, for lack of better words, than that. You can't expect to go into a relationship as a partial human being and expect to leave that way as well and if you go into a situation only a piece of a person what do you really have to other one or people you're in relation with. It's gonna be just a bunch of misfit puzzle pieces trying to make a picture out of scrambles. 2. Detach from technology. We have become too dependent and reliant on the internet to relay our information and to teach us and we also live through a text message or an email or a tweet or a facebook post. The idea is that while all these things make communication faster the fact is that they dilute the intended message and disintegrate the interpersonal relationships we are supposed to be building as we grow in age. 3. Guys have to be more courageous. Chivalry doesn't have to be dead. You can be an upstanding person and maintain a sense of cool at the same time. Just because you botch some words, seem to be the first to make a crude joke, or have your facebook likes up to the masses does not equal manhood or respect. Be strong enough to appreciate an even stronger or more confidant counterpart especially with growing independence and power of women. Truth of the matter is you always have to have your own life because as soon as you don't you lose yourself in trying to fit yourself into another person's life that you had no birthright into in the first place. Legacy is yours to take. 4. Girls don't settle, don't give in, and be PATIENT. Don't date someone's potential. This means don't see someone and start changing everything about them in your head. You're already on the path to destruction and resentment from your counterpart. Obviously don't give in to pressures of things you don't feel comfortable with or don't want to do. Don't settle for the jerk, terrible job pay, or bad friends because you don't foresee yourself having better. Everyone will have their time to shine. Don't stoop to a level lower than what you deserve for anyone especially when it deals with guys and you're worried about another girl being able to do what you didn't. Y'all know this is all about that thing people (especially teens) have been doing with their phones and missing clothes. Don't do it. Patience is virtue and if you stay who you are and are firm in your ideas and dreams for yourself then, in time, the people that are meant for you will walk graciously into your life and you will be without regret. Happy loving peeps.