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A true soul mate is probably the most important person you’ll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then leave.

A soul mates purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you have to transform your life, then introduce you to your spiritual master…”

— Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia)

How to keep the love alive, and have fun while doing it.

by Carolyn French

1. Pick your battles.
2. Take turns choosing activities, restaurants, movies, etc.
3. Reminisce. Reflecting on the past is important as it reminds you of all the wonderful times you’ve had together.
4. How was your day, Dear? Ask each other how your day was, and really listen.
5. Have fun together! Get your mind out of the gutter.  Not JUST that kind of fun.  Embrace your inner child!

To read the full article, go to:  http://www.bettyconfidential.com/ar/ld/a/5-Tips-for-a-Long-Lasting-Relationship.html

by Carolyn French

If you ask me, there is entirely too much emphasis placed on finding Mr. Right. Sure we all want to happen across that grade-A picture-perfect Jon Hamm knockoff in the sea of unreliable rejects, but what’s even more important is staying the heck away from Mr. Wrong. Wouldn’t it be easier if they could be identified by a nametag or T-shirt?

To save you, our fellow Bettys, from falling for a complete toad, here’s a list of the top seven guys to be avoided at all costs.

The Flirt

Be afraid, be very afraid, of the super charming, too-cool-for-school skirt-chaser who gives you the once-over and turns your legs to Jell-O. This guy is trouble. Even if he makes you feel like the only girl in the room, his eyes will begin to wander after that initial encounter. To quote Marilyn Monroe in Some Like it Hot:

“You don’t know what they’re like! You fall for ‘em. You really love ‘em, you think ‘This is going to be the biggest thing since the Graf Zeppelin’ … Then one morning, you wake up — the guy’s gone, the saxophone’s gone. All that’s left behind is a pair of old socks and a tube of toothpaste all squeezed out.”

Don’t wind up with the fuzzy end of the lollipop, girls. Do yourself a favor and leave Mr. Flirt to the real suckers.

The Workaholic

Ah, yes, Mr. Now-You-See-Me-Now-You-Don’t. Workaholics are the worst, because you’ll continuously find yourself torn between feeling guilty for asking him to work less, and feeling like you want to put all his ties through a shredder after he cancels dinner for the umpteenth time. Sure he’s loaded, but chances are he’ll end up spending that hard-earned dough on the colleague (or barely legal secretary) he ditches you for.

The Metrosexual

What comes to mind when you hear the term metrosexual? Zac Efron? David Beckham? Sure they’re endearing and all, but would you really want to get involved with a dude who is permanently camped out in front of the bathroom mirror? Plus, if you hook up with a guy with a bigger shopping habit than you, you’ll have to start sticking your own shoe collection in the oven - Carrie Bradshaw style – to make room for his lifetime supply of flat irons, Gucci sneaks and skinny jeans. Sound like fun? We think not.

The Mama’s Boy

The case of the 12-year-old in the 25-year-old bod … urgh. Word to the wise, fellas: Your girlfriend is not just a younger version of your beloved mother. She may have spit-shined your room and lovingly folded your Ninja Turtle tighty whities for the better part of your youth, but don’t expect the same treatment from the one you call “Babe.” Ladies, steer clear of this underdeveloped creature; you’ll end up looking after him when he should be looking after you. You want agrown man, not a man who needs to grow up.

The Critic

If you want to feel bad about yourself just spend half an hour on the phone with your mother, but don’t attempt to get cozy with a Simon Cowell wannabe (minus the punchy one-liners). This particular breed of man will always be on your case, whether it’s regarding your latest hairstyle or the outfit you thought made you look like Jessica Biel. He will somehow manage to pull apart each and every aspect of your life, and he’ll be brutally honest at the worst possible times. Do you really want to date a hall monitor who points out the fact that your derriere ain’t what it used to be?

The Geek

There is a fine line between nerd and geek. While nerds are generally classified as being bookish, shy and somewhat socially retarded, geeks are more along the lines of that weird guy in high school who wore a cape to gym and “battled” with his fellow D&D junkies during lunch. You don’t want to hook up with this guy, trust us. He will spend more time playing with his precious toys than he will with you, and his version of romance is Hot Pockets and a Star Trek marathon. Can you see yourself getting busy with a man who refers to his appendage as his “light saber”?

The Bromancer

Unless you happen to be one of the three women on the planet who don’t mind being dropped for a pitcher of beer and a gang of “homies,” this routine will get old REALLY quick. It’s fine for a guy to get together with his buddies to watch the game or oogle Kim Kardashian’s … assets, but if he seems content to spend more time with his pals than with you then it’s time to say sayonara.

After reading through our list, do you think we left anyone out?

Originally posted at http://www.bettyconfidential.com/ar/ld/a/7-Guys-You-Should-Never-Date.html?pageID=1

by Charles J. Orlando

Porn. Is. Fake.

Here are 6 bad lessons men are learning from the porn industry:

1. Women are always ready.
2. All women want to do anything to/for the man, while he provides a bare minimum.
3. Foreplay is not necessary.
4. Everything on a woman is… uh… “accessible”… and she wants you to do whatever you want to her body.
5. Nipples are there specifically for men to abuse.
6. All women are naturally attracted to other women.

To read the full text of this article, go to:

http://www.bettyconfidential.com/ar/ld/a/Why-Porn-is-Teaching-Your-Man-Bad-Habits-in-Bed.html

or go to Orlando’s Blog: http://www.theproblemismen.com/

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Wise man, that Dr. Seuss.