On my way to work this morning, i got this email from sheknows.com and i had to share these two pieces. its on relationship advice. how to make a new relationship successful and how to tell if your relationship isnt going anywhere; they are two separate pieces of course..lol..

and even though they may seem like two different (and opposite topics) you can certainly learn a lot about your relationship from reading the "writings on the wall" very clearly or even just understanding how to use those dead end signs to try to avoid dead end relationships in the future..or at the very least figure out what you're doing "wrong" to try and fix them..

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3 Tips to make your new relationship successful

GET THINGS OFF
ON THE RIGHT FOOT

Posted on Dec 10, 2010 8:00 AM by Kori Ellis

Congratulations, you've met someone new. He seems so wonderful and you don't want to screw it up. Follow these three simple tips to make your new relationship successful.

BE REALISTIC
No matter how perfect your new partner seems, no one is really perfect. Don't put him on a pedestal and set unrealistic expectations. Know that you are going to disagree at some point. Keep the emphasis on communication early on to avoid any conflicts and stop issues before they start.
DON'T OVERSHARE
You should definitely open up to your partner as you are getting to know each other, but be sure not to overshare. He doesn't need to hear all the intimate details of your prior relationships, and he certainly doesn't need to know about your neurotic mother or strange uncle quite yet.
LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES
When something inevitable goes wrong between you are your partner, learn from it. Many couples repeat the same mistakes over and over early on, dooming their relationship from the beginning. After an argument or problem, take some time to think about what you said or did wrong and what led to the issue to make sure it doesn't happen again.

http://tinyurl.com/2fdzggb

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4 Signs your relationship is going nowhere
IS IT OVER?
Posted on Nov 05, 2010 10:00 AM by Kori Ellis

Are you in a dead-end relationship? Sometimes, it's easy to see the writing on the wall -- but other times, things aren't so clear. We talked to relationship advisor and therapist Dr. Terri Orbuch, author of Five Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage from Good to Great (Random House) for expert advice and signs your relationship is going nowhere.

Future discussions
Partners in love (or committed to one another) are comfortable talking and fantasizing about the future -- next weekend, holiday season or year. Imagining life together five or 10 years from now doesn't guarantee relationship success, but the absence of any such hopeful plans is not a good sign. Also, if you start talking about future plans and your partner changes the subject or gets defensive, you are getting a message you should heed -- even if you don't want to hear it.
Family introductions
Someone who is serious about you wants you to know and spend time with his friends and family. He wants to show you off. Ask yourself whether you know most or all of the people who matter to your partner. Also, just as important, someone who is sincere wants to know and impress your family and friends.
Good contact
Partners who are serious about each other know where and how to contact each other at all times. In case of an emergency, aren't the two of you a team? Also, if your partner is talking about how he needs space or privacy, ask for specifics (how long and for what?). It is one thing to want independence, and quite another to want space.
Expression of love
If your partner is serious about you, he should be able to say "I love you" without being prompted. So if you've been in a relationship for a long time and he isn't saying those three little words -- or is just saying them after you do -- be aware that this isn't a good sign.
http://tinyurl.com/2fgntqc