What Makes A Relationship Last Long?

1. The ability to compromise is important for success in many aspects of life; your romantic relationship will also thrive when you've both have honed your ability to give and take. A long lasting relationship requires flexible individuals who are willing to give a little (and sometimes a lot) to ensure mutual happiness. If you and your partner are good at finding solutions that make you both happy, it's a good indicator that you'll be successful in the future.
2. Couples that have similar values & share a common sense of curiosity are a lot more likely to make it long-term just as are couples that share similar goals!
3. Your arguments should actually bring you closer. You HAVE TO communicate to each other with kind words. Never don't hold grudges once you're done fighting.
4. When you’re not insecure about each other’s successes & support each other's goals.
5. When you forgive each others’ bad days. Have a short memory and a lot of forgiveness. Prioritize your partner over anything else.
6. When you have bad news, your spouse is the first person you want to tell -- not the person you most dread telling. Daily connection time is a MUST have!
7. To keep your relationship brimming, with love, whenever you're wrong, admit it; whenever you're right, shut up. You still like them when you're angry.
8. Take that EXTRA effort equally.
9. When you challenge your old taught habits which might be snobbish like fighting over unmade bed, wet towels thrown carelessly on bed, etc. It’s not about being a neat freak, but c’mon, some things can be learnt & changed!
10. When you trust each other at all cost.

“GROWING” in a relationship!

For me, “growing” in a relationship means the following:

• Your partner begins to see you more positively than you see yourself. You might be insecure about a feature or two about you, but they find you attractive always. They encourage you to be yourself.
• Your partner's good habits rub off on you—including health, finance, lifestyle, or psychological habits.
• Your relationship provides practical and emotional support that allows you to pursue your personal goals.
• You begin to persist hard things & difficult situations in life together - as two mature people. Such things grow you together and not apart.
• Your relationship helps you learn to trust that another person is dependable and emotionally available to you.
• When tiny things don’t hurt and resentments don’t creep up on you both - when there are no unspoken, unconscious issues present or overlooked in your relationship.
• When you have the best communication, you speak and listen to one another with intense presence, honesty, patience, and compassion.
• When there’s no comparison of what jobs people have, their homes, their clothes. When you don’t look to see what the grass looks like on the other side. You’re happy with the view out your own front door and you cherish that.
• One of the most important sentiments of human love is intimacy, that means, "in-to-me-see." Desire serves as the connection between love and sex that gets liveliness and spontaneity in your lives and in the relationship. Love is the best aphrodisiac.
• When playfulness, creativity, and commitment help you maintain your freedom that lets you breathe while also remaining deeply connected to your partner.
• When you do not let small anger accumulate & sort things before you call it a day.
• When you work together for a better life and repeat how grateful you’re for having each other around.
• When you share curiosity for same things & sometimes take an interest in what interests the other person too.
• When you go the extra mile for them, relationships cannot be 50–50 all the time. It has to be unconditional at times.

Deep Questions To Ask A Man To Build An Emotional Intimacy

The idea was that the questions should invoke shared vulnerability and this really helps to foster emotional closeness and connection between two people even when they didn't really know each other.

Hopefully, these questions will help to deepen the emotional bond between you and your man no matter where you’re at in your love life - whether you are single, dating, or in a long-standing relationship. It apparently has worked among strangers, it should work between you and your guy, provided that he is emotionally available and willing to deepen that intimate bond with you.

1. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?

2. Would you like to be famous? In what way?

3. Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say? Why?

4. What would constitute a “perfect” day for you?

5. When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else?

6. If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind or body of a 30-year-old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you want?

7. Do you have a secret hunch about how you will die?

8. Name three things you and your partner appear to have in common.

9. For what in your life do you feel most grateful?

10. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be?

11. Take four minutes and tell your partner your life story in as much detail as possible.

12. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?

13. If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know?

14. Is there something that you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven’t you done it?

15. What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?

16. What do you value most in a friendship?

17. What is your most treasured memory?

18. What is your most terrible memory?

19. If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are now living? Why?

20. What does friendship mean to you?

21. What roles do love and affection play in your life?

22. Alternate sharing something you consider a positive characteristic of your partner. Share a total of five items.

23. How close and warm is your family? Do you feel your childhood was happier than most other people’s?

24. How do you feel about your relationship with your mother?

25. Make three true “we” statements each. For instance, “We are both in this room feeling ...

26. Complete this sentence: “I wish I had someone with whom I could share ... “

27. If you were going to become a close friend with your partner, please share what would be important for him or her to know.

28. Tell your partner what you like about them; be very honest this time, saying things that you might not say to someone you’ve just met.

29. Share with your partner an embarrassing moment in your life.

30. When did you last cry in front of another person? By yourself?

31. Tell your partner something that you like about them already.

32. What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about?

33. If you were to die this evening with no opportunity to communicate with anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone? Why haven’t you told them yet?

34. Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire. After saving your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash to save any one item. What would it be? Why?

35. Of all the people in your family, whose death would you find most disturbing? Why?

36. Share a personal problem and ask your partner’s advice on how he or she might handle it. Also, ask your partner to reflect back to you how you seem to be feeling about the problem you have chosen.

Book Review #71: Colourful Notions - The Roadtrippers 1.0

Book: Colorful Notions - The Roadtrippers 1.0

Author: Mohit Goyal

Publisher: Srishti Publishers and Distributors

Price: Rs. 175

BLURB:- “Would you give up your high-paying job and comfortable personal life to drive ten thousand kilometres across India? Just for fun! Three twenty-something's dare to do just that! While the two boys take turns to drive, the girl gives voice-over as they record their entire journey on a handy cam. Ab, Sasha and Unnati are ordinary youngsters, rendered special by the feat they accomplish. As they recount their adventures, I crave to live their journey. They look at each other with a glint in their eyes, as if refurbishing those memories while narrating their spooky time at Bhangarh Fort, strange escapades at Wagah Border and Sundarbans, car breakdowns, wild animals, near-death experiences and highway robbers! It's nothing less than crazy. I doubted if I'd ever have the gumption to create such experiences. So I did the next best thing - I penned a book about them and their road trip. Colorful Notions is a journey of three young hearts on the Indian terrain and into the inner recesses of their souls, giving a new perspective to relationships, love and life.”

The cover absolutely seems to make complete sense in accordance with the title and retains the flavor of it. The long roadway and the car with three roadtrippers - so attractive for all the travel enthusiasts out there.

The story revolves around three friends—Abhay (Ab), Sashank (Sasha) and Unnati (Unns). They decide to take a soul-searching road trip covering the entire India. The plot sounds almost like Zindagi Milegi Na Doobara, right? The book met my expectations of going on an amazing journey across the length and breadth of India from the comfort of my own couch!

The journey puts their physical as well as emotional states of mind to test. While Abhay is trying to deal with a troubled past and his relationship with his parents which is strained, Sasha who is his bestie offers to accompany him on the trip. In a way, he is also trying to escape an over-protective family. Both of them then, convince Sasha’s girlfriend, who is a clueless assistant RJ to join in.

The trio plan to cover the entire India in just 75 days; starting from Corbett Park and ending in Delhi. The itinerary is well planned. The author has done immense research before penning down the book. They cover places like Goa, Haridwar, Leh, Amritsar, Alwar, Jaipur, Udaipur, Bhuj, Mysore, Kanyakumari, Hyderabad, Puri, Kolkata, Gaya, Varanasi, Agra, Kumbh Mela, Kargil, Golden Temple, Wagah, Bhangarh Fort, Thar Desert, Rann of Kutch, Ellora, Mysore Palace, Vivekananda Rock Memorial, etc. It is a fun-filled emotional roller coaster as they try to spot tigers at the Corbett National park, take a dip in the Ganges at Haridwar, battle altitude sickness at Ladakh /Leh, cause a security threat at the Wagah border, chase and be chased by ghosts at Bhangarh fort at Alwar, get caught in the marshlands and quick-sands at Runn of Kutch and finally encounter a man-eater at the Sunderbans while setting foot on Bangladeshi borders and even obtain enlightenment at Gaya! If this is not enough, you will get to read about the culinary delight that is India, as your senses take in the description of delicacies like the momos at Ladakh, Hyderbadi biryanis, Lucknowi Kebabs, Punjabi chicken, Goan seafood, Udupi cuisine and of course Idli, sambar and chutney and other rice delicacies from Tamil Nadu too! Almost all travel requirements like finances, stay & rest, fun, route map etc have been taken care of.

The language is highly simple and easy to comprehend. I found the details of the places quite engaging, which definitely makes it a delight for all travellers with the vivid picturesque narration.

How they execute the entire trip, how the feelings of friendship and love are challenged in the course of 75 days, will the trip help them lighten the emotional baggage that they are trying to escape from, how does the trip change their lives are some of the many reasons why you will keep turning the pages to find out what happens in Colourful Notions: The Roadtrippers 1.0.

The author writes effortlessly. It is difficult to believe that he is a first time author. The book manages to impart some simple lessons while not being preachy. Some of the chapters will have you thinking about the life we live, our expectations from it and our perspectives on happiness. This book seems like the answer to a lot of questions youngsters these days are plagued with. We all want to escape from our routine and follow our calling. Sometimes it also happens that just want to escape and in that process find our calling. This book is about such escapism. 

The author has also given a lot of attention to the characterization. The characters of Ab, Sasha and Unnati are well demarcated and evolved throughout the journey. They became more mature by the end of the journey. 

The story has it all. Friendship, love, jealousy, food, fun, adventure, horror and comedy, thus making this a packed entertainer with first hand lessons of what life is all about. There is not a single dull moment in the book and you will surely read up to the end page of the book.

The poor editing of the book is a huge dampener especially when you reading something which is pacy and thrilling.

This 200-page book is a must read books for all those who are looking for a fresh and light read during their journeys, and are bored of simple romance tales. It is for the adventurer in you and more essentially the dreamer in you.

Ratings: 4/5

I won a review copy from The Tales Pensieve as part of Reviewers Programme. Register on #TTP for lots of #book fun and activities.

Book Review #35 ~ Arjun: Without A Doubt

Title: Arjun Without A Doubt

Publication: Leadstart Publishing Pvt. Ltd

Pages: 306

Price: 145

Author: Dr. Sweety Shinde

Arjun: Without A Doubt tells the story of Epic Mahabharata from Arjun and Draupadi’s standpoint. I loved how the author has glorified Arjun through Draupadi's eyes and vice versa.

Mahabharatha is a book of true love and relationships. Arjun is pretty much what we expect him to be: a champion warrior. The language of this book is easy. The language brings alive the emotions of the characters. 

The bond between Draupadi and Abhimanyu has been captured beautifully.

Few lines from the book are worth finding place in your personal diary/collection.

Sweety manages to retell the happenings of Mahabharata with great ease. 

I lost track at a couple of places. Sometimes I had to re-read two or three paragraphs to understand better.

The author has done a good job capturing his emotions in the story.  If you’re a Mahabharata fan, I would highly recommend you read this book. 

First look at the title reveals a lot about what the book is going to be in a very short spell. The blurb talks about three people from Mahabharata and their point of views which are to be detailed in the story. It's a precise blurb which never shifts out of focus and nags the reader to go for the book. 

The story embarks on a journey which might change the entire landscape and the ongoing tussle of how to look up to Arjun after his glorified and mystified tales. The Krishna & Arjun chemistry and above it all the Arjun & Draupadi relationship sheds ample light on what happened back then and why it happened altogether?

The downside of the book is its familiar notions coming into play. Once the book settles down and tries to uncover the entire mystery behind the saga and small crucial elements, it tends to tread on the paths of well known events and occurrences which numerous people have gone through again and again.

The book is a source to enlighten and refresh the minds. It's not a sparking revelation but a fine tuned version of the epic. 

The book is written in such a manner, that it gets you to think deeper about your now favourite story Mahabharata, and makes you to see the book in a whole different way with how she extracts bits and pieces from the lesser known versions of the story.

My favourite scenes are when Krishna imparts his wisdom to the duo, and when Draupadi and Arjun finally unite after 8 years. It really makes you feel their sorrows, joy, anger and frustration.

Dr Sweety Shinde doesn’t fail in her promises to make this classic retelling of the epic saga of Draupadi and Arjun an amazing one so she does deliver well on her promise.

The story isn’t over dramatised, the characters’ strengths and weaknesses are what they are, even though there were plenty of such opportunities to exaggerate them. And that is the book’s greatest virtue.

The story of Mahabharata has so much depth and so many layers that one can get lost in it.

Dr. Shinde Sweety's 'Arjun - Without a Doubt' reads like an easy-to-read fiction. That is the beauty of this book's narration.

A rare help of Google may be needed if one wants to understand the back story of every single reference.

Arjun -  thought provoking, interesting, highly recommend. Worth a buy!

Ratings : 4.5/5

P.S: This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!

Testimonial: Best Friend!

Life with you is a walk through happiness. Yes. You. My best friend.

They say every friendship does not turn to love, but love starts with friendship.

Without you, my body doesn't function normally. However I want, I cannot decorate your absence with anyone else's presence. We are two sides of a coin - inseparably joined!

I do not like you at your still, I love your restlessness, because that is when you need me the most.

I feel secure with you. You're my snowstorm who covers the lawn of my heart. We are like an elegantly bound book. I talk with you not in words or paragraphs, but in pages.

I thank God for you, for giving me more than my share of happiness.

No, this isn't a love letter, but a testimonial of the moments we have shared through this friendship of ours. Today, I realise it was 'you' I was always seeking.

As we flit by each other, affectionately, you give me the pleasure of your eyes and time each day.

Our journey of friendship has been an adventurous one! I haven't ever told you a secret. More than a lover, I cherish you as a friend, because you are a gem of a person.

Our conversations, that eternal bond is magic. You're so easy to connect to. We can communicate even with facial expressions and eyes!

You are the selfless one. Your "main hoon na" means the world to you, when I'm in a crisis. I don't think twice before calling you.

How we celebrate our similarities, yet respect the differences! I was normal before I met you, now I'm abnormal (in a good way)!

Not just since childhood or school/college, but any moment we are together, great time follows!

Friendship with fellow girls has always been full of unnecessary drama, but with you it's been a movie -  a dreamy one!

I spill out the details of my day into the hands of a friend who is always there to lend an ear. Always. You.

I love when you share the empty rooms of your mind with me, they are beautiful.

I feel indeed blessed to have you, today, tomorrow, everyday :) You are patient, kind, protective and trustworthy.

You know sometimes how crazy I get, yet you dare to accompany me in public. Your friendship is a million little things for me.

I have a face to call my own, for whom I can write page long testimonials, for perhaps my whole life! You're simply the 'best'!

Thank you, for bringing out the 'real me'.

This love and admiration for each other need not be said aloud, but my hungry words needed to reach out to you, so here's my testimonial for you!

Promise to be there for you, hamesha and forever. 

                                                                                                     

P.S: Read the testimonial here! This post is for contest by Scribzoo.

Book Review #18 : One Last Time

Author : Shubham Arora

Publisher : Paper Clip Books

BLURB:

One phone call changes it all for him. Her phone call. After one full year. She is in the US, informing him about her marriage. She wants to meet him.

He had moved on, at least that's what he had made himself believe. Unsure of everything, he books a flight from New York to Carolina to give his past the final closure.

The journey brings all the painful memories back to him. They have both come a long way since they first met as kids and then again as adults, before parting ways and . . . moving on.

But flight 1549 is not destined to reach its destination. Unaware and oblivious, he is lost in his memories of her.
Ambala. New Delhi. New York.
Love. Career. Distance. Longing. Separation.
Will he realize her importance in his life? Will she ever find out who she is actually meant for?

What if he doesn't live up to the day to meet her one last time?

REVIEW:

Effortlessly written, depicting a perfect mixture of multiple emotions! It has friendship, love, heartbreaks, staling relationship - all in one!

There in genuine sincerity in the frustration and anxiety portrayed for the long distance relationship and Shubham does make a pertinent point how young couple find it exceedingly difficult to handle the LDR pressure and the physical non-proximity.

A nicely done cover page, aptly describes the story and captures the various time zones the narrative incorporates.

The chemistry between the lead pair is well expressed! A gripping and intriguing piece written with complete thoughtfulness!

One Last Time grows on you. The characters are simple people easily connectable. We all have lost friends, made new friends, had heartbreaks, played cricket, fought with parents, made some foolish decisions, etc. The narration style is perfect, without any over stretched scenes & dialogues.

The chapters are of normal length making the reading more comfortable. Shubham knows how to write in a way, to hold the interest of readers right till the last page!

The story turns the reader nostalgic as we can directly connect to the aura of childhood that Shubham creates. The story transcends in a lovely way depicting the protagonist’s fears, dreams, ambitions and love. It portrays the journey of a shy small town guy from Ambala to the scintillating city of New York. The beautiful description of the protagonist’s emotions and the changing maturity level - the fear of death and of losing his loved ones, the desire to fulfill his dad’s dream and the intense and pure love for his girlfriend makes the story all the more interesting.

The ending is the most amazing part of this book! It is heart touching if you are a romantic. It is soulful even if you are pragmatic. And it leaves scope for a sequel. It keeps you wanting for more!

"One Last Time" is one last chance which is very important in everyone's life. So if you get a chance then never let it go.

This teenage adult fiction conveys an important message. It tries to convey the importance of one moment, the happy, sad or happening moment. It is an uncomplicated book that talks about realities in life.

If you are fan of fiction romantic books, go for it. This book deserves a read. It is engaging and a breezy read.  It leaves a good taste and makes you realize the value of time and relationships. 

Ratings - 4/5

Order it from Flipkart.com : http://tinyurl.com/OneLastTime-FLPKRT

She Looked Most Beautiful!

Her close family and friends dressed her up in pink and gold. The gold earrings gently dangled on either side of her soft face. The pink lehenga hugged her slim figure perfectly.

She conveyed to me, ‘I’m getting nervous, yaar. The time to leave is coming near.’  I tried to calm her anxious nerves.

Today was the day she was getting married. She had to start a new journey and had to travel an unknown path that she had never traversed before. 

She was deaf to the noise, the hustle bustle and the chaos that was surrounding her.  She sat in her room, ready to leave any minute to take her vows.

Sitting in her room, she stared outside through the window and she could see the leaves swaying to the gentle breeze. Strange thoughts flashed through her mind. As the gentle breeze gushed into her room through the window and brushed her tender face, she felt a calm and peace within.

It was time to leave. While she arose and gracefully walked to begin her new journey, she looked most beautiful!