Valentine’s Day, some folks think, is about the date: Feb 14th, but your real Valentine is not only about Feb 14th, the date, but so much more! To ensure that your love blooms everyday of the year, you have to work at it. Nothing is perfect and nothing goes on by itself, and you can say the same about relationships too. If you can sort out your daily relationship woes, there is no doubt that these small units of happiness will culminate in a relationship that is meaningful and fulfilling. So how do you go about making sure it turns out that way? Try these simple steps.

Be a patient listener. Most of us are not. We try to explain and analyze our relationship. Relationships are not for analyzing, it’s about feeling them.
Try to understand rather than explain. It’s important you get your partner’s point of view than getting your own point across.
In an argument with your Valentine, try to make her happy rather than prove yourself correct. You may lose the argument, but you’ll win a lot more.
Pay attention to the small details that make her happy. If she wants you to dump your wet towel at a particular spot, put it there. Religiously.
The most important aspect of a relationship is communication. Keep the channels of communication always open. You must be equally comfortable sharing the hurt as you share happiness.
Try to maintain transparency and you will find it magical how your partner opens up to you in terms of crises.
Sprinkle little love notes all over the house if you leave early for work.
Discuss your dreams with her and encourage her to do so, too. You must be aware of each other’s needs and desires and only then can you be there for each other, every single moment of the year.

If you have other points that you want to add to this for our friends, leave your comments. Love, and let love!

Have you ever wondered that a smile comes to you more easily than any other emotion? Similarly, it’s easy to make someone smile if you can make that heart-to-heart connect. I feel that you cannot make a person smile unless that person is emotionally inclined to you. You may be great at comedy and punch lines, but you can’t make people smile if you don’t have emotional content in your act. And I’ve heard and read many comedians say that.

To make your partner or significant O smile, make her feel special, give her all the attention that you can give. If there’s something that she expects you to forget, remember it. When you get it done, she’ll reward you with a warm smile. On occasional days, get flowers for her on your way back from work. Put on your Sunday-chef cap and rustle something up for her before she steps out of bed. Call or text her to make her feel wanted. And when you’re at home, devote your time to your significant other. There’s nothing more frustrating than talking to a person who’s thumb is glued to the cellphone keypad.

That reminds me, if you want to make yourself smile, get pets! They are the best way to get rid of stress and take it easy. Of course, there’s some responsibility attached to keeping a pet and if you stay alone, you have to be more careful. But if you can give it a shot, do so by all means. There’s nothing like having a little pup or kitten around. How do YOU make people smile?