Looks-Focused Men Avenged!

Photo by Roxana Gonzalez

*NOTE: TONGUE-IN-CHEEK POST AHEAD*

According to two different studies, men who marry women who are better looking than they are report being more happy with their marriage - AND, being in a happy marriage reduces your blood pressure.

So, men with high blood pressure - be sure to find yourself a woman who is better lookin' than you.  ;-)

Ladies, don't take offense - look at it as a gift of kindness to help them reduce their blood pressure.  ;-)

Studies:

From BYU: Happy Marriage = Lower Blood Pressure

From Journal of Family Psychology: Happiness Created by Pairing of Ugly Men and Beautiful Women

UPDATE:

Here is a video clip with a debate about one of these studies, and more regarding men, women, and relationships. Nothing gets resolved, but it is a great illustration of some of the attitudes in the world. In the comments section, be sure to leave feedback about the debate in this video - do you agree with either viewpoint?

For the Love of a Woman

Photo by Chance Agrella

Two video links today regarding how men love women.

The first is a sad tale regarding a divorcing man so heartbroken that he is now putting 'his whole life' up for sale on Ebay. His 'whole life' comprises all of his belongings from their shared life, associations with his friends, and possible jobs for the purchaser. To view this short clip, please click HERE.

The second video clip is a much more positive one. A man is celebrating his love for his wife in an amazing and inspiring way. Through creating his tribute, he has developed new talents, pulled himself out of depression, and honors God - which he plans on sharing with others. To view this touching video clip, please click HERE.

What do YOU think about the two videos?

Discouragement in the Dating World

Photo by Lynn Davis

This is a really difficult post for me to write because it touches on so many tender spots and I am not known for diplomacy skills. It is being written because of events which I have experienced, witnessed, and have been a listening ear in regards to.

Something that is being seen over and over in the dating world of LDS Singles is inordinate amounts of childishness, pettiness, and general disgraceful behavior. It is astonishing to me the lengths to which people will go in order to just catch someone's eye or get a date. No low seems to be too low any more.

Expectations have become totally unrealistic, and rather than address a need to strive towards perfection in one's own self, the demand is that the other person be perfect . . . and perfectly matched with the cardboard cutout image that has been created - even if it means forcing those 'standards' upon them.

Continually there are debates in regards to standards of moral behavior with criticisms routinely being placed upon the leadership and upon members who choose to live high standards of conduct. It is appalling to me to see and experience members of the church treating one another in this manner - and especially in regards to what are basic tenants of our faith that those who are baptized and endowed members vow to adhere to.

Divorced males leave the church in droves, and divorced females are more and more frequently resigning themselves to the hope that maybe in the millennium they will be able to marry 'a good man'. Both genders are making new people in their life pay for the 'crimes' they believe the former ones committed against them, and more and more common are 'casual dating', 'NCMO', and 'friends with benefits' (lds-style).

What is a single person who is trying to live gospel standards supposed to do? It is heart-breaking, it is frustrating, and it is becoming more and more discouraging.

So, aside from the general, 'have faith, pray, trust in the Lords timing, and keep trying' advice, what things do YOU do to deal with a dating world that is becoming less and less appealing?

Ladies: Getting the Love You Want CHALLENGE

I found these great articles online and decided to conduct a challenge with them. Worst case scenario, we might each learn a few things about ourselves and have some fun along the way.

So, to take part in this challenge the only things you have to do are the following 4 things:

1- Read all of the articles listed below. Then read them again carefully, taking note of the advice and how to implement it into your life.

2- Use the advice religiously for at least 30 days.

3-Keep a journal or log of your experiences and what you learn along the way.

4- Come back here and share a summary .

 

Ready - set - GO!

#1: Matchmaker's Dos and Donts

#2: 15 First Date Tips

#3: The Truth about Magic Lists

#4: 10 Signs You Should Run for Your Life

Sexual Incompatibility

I read this article on CNN about sexual incompatibility creating conflict in marriages. I found it interesting for several reasons.

First, it is something discussed in the LDS (Divorced) Singles community - not wanting a repeat of bad sexual experiences in a previous marriage. While we generally view sexual intimacy between marital partners as important, we also acknowledge it is not the most important or only aspect of a happy healthy marriage.

Second, in the article it was noted that "People choose partners who have the right resume but maybe not the entire package." (Dr Laura Berman - Sex Therapist and Relationship Expert, Chicago)

One of my favorite quotes in the article is from marriage counselor and sex therapist, Marty Klein, ""People have the assumption that you can have long-term, monogamous, hot sex. It's never been done (on a large scale) in the history of the world."

In the LDS Singles world, due to our values, it is a difficult thing for many to discuss outside of marriage without feeling like they are crossing some kind of decency or morality line. This seems to carry over into married life - people having difficulty having clear and honest discussions about sex.

My understanding and belief is that it is possible and advisable to have morally-clean discussions about sexual issues prior to marriage and prior to serious commitment (you marry who you date). I believe the topic can be openly and tactfully discussed without crossing any inappropriate lines.

How do YOU feel about discussing sexual matters prior to marriage? When do YOU feel is the right time and what do YOU feel are 'appropriate' topics to cover?

Happy Sadie Hawkins Day

Today is February 29, 2008 and as the 'extra day' we get each leap year, it is also known as 'Sadie Hawkins Day'. There are various stories about what Sadies Hawkins Day truly entails, but the basic gist is that on this day, ladies take the lead and do the proposing - or in modern times - ask the guy to a dance or on a date.

On a singles/dating website of which I am a member, I posted a 'challenge' for men and women to 'sign up' to play on Sadies Hawkins Day by (ladies) asking a man out - no strings attached; or by (men) agreeing to go on such a date. I then posted a date offer - my treat (I was setting the example and stepping up - putting my money where my mouth is, so to speak). When it comes to dating, I am the askee not the asker, so this was something different for me, but I thought it would be fun to try on a new hat for a day.

Many on the site whine and complain about never getting asked out and sitting home alone weekend after weekend. So, for this challenge, how many men and women do you think jumped at the chance? Counting me, there were about 5.

This is not the first time I have started a challenge of some type to get people actually doing something, and the results are typical. This begs the question, "Why complain and moan and whine but not do anything to change it?" Because changing it requires stepping outside of the box/comfort zone and that is a really scary thing to do for most people.

So, while I go out and have a great time on Sadies Hawkins Day, many others will sit home fretting over the lost chance and being alone yet another Friday night - when they didn't have to be.

What a crying shame. (seriously)

What are YOU doing for Sadie Hawkins Day, and what are YOU doing to change something in your situation?

Buy a Fancy Car to Get a Woman to Date You

When I first saw this article promoted on CNN, I thought it must be a joke. Then I read it. Nope. The author, a woman, was not kidding. In fact, the intro to her article reads, "Why should a female auto journalist give you advice on great date cars? Because as far as cars go, I know what turns a woman on and what really turns her off." [author note: apparently she does not - her list and my top vehicle list are dramatically different]

She goes on to detail a list of cars men should buy in order to impress women and get dates with them. The ironic thing is that she also mentions what her husband was driving when they met, "On the first date with my husband, he drove me around in an old Volvo sedan with very squeaky brakes. Derick is an actor and his car reflected his lifestyle as a struggling artist dedicated to his talent. I was obviously more impressed by his intelligence, reliability and determination rather than his status or style."

She justified her list by saying that women nowadays are 'rather picky'.

I admit, the entire article creeped me out. While I am very appreciative of luxury vehicles, 4wd, and power behind the wheel, I have never in my life accepted or declined a date with a man due to his vehicle or lack thereof. If the article is to be believed, then women today have turned into shallow, vapid creatures easily lured by material possessions.

So my questions to you are:

Ladies: how much bearing does what a gentleman drive have on whether or not you will accept a date with him?

Gentlemen: how often have you felt that your vehicle had any strong influence on any woman's decision regarding whether or not to date you?

Final word - when it comes to buying a vehicle, Ladies and Gents, the best advice is to buy what you love, what you can afford, and what fits best into your lifestyle needs, all rolled into one. Forget all that hooey about trying to attract dates with your vehicle. If they only want you for your car, do you really want them?