relationships1

Dating someone exclusively? In the old days, this was known as �going steady.� But just how steady is your relationship? Do you truly love the person you�re going with? Are you planning on your coupling becoming permanent?

Or are you just sticking with the person out of habit, or until somebody �better� comes along?

We all have motives for doing what we do. Oftentimes we ease into a friendship or relationship simply because it�s there. We may be lonely or bored or unfulfilled. Then somebody materializes, maybe not the person of our dreams, but he or she is available. And that�s criteria enough for the time being.

And that�s fine. There�s nothing wrong with dating someone frequently and steadily even if you�re not madly in love. But what about that someone? How does he or she feel? Does he or she share your sentiments? Is he or she agreeable to just coasting along and enjoying what you have together? If so, then go for it.

If, however, your partner�s expectations differ from yours, it�s time to reevaluate the situation.

Let�s start with the guys. How many times have you said things you didn�t really mean in order to keep someone available for you? Ever say �I love you� to someone simply to keep her from looking elsewhere until you were �finished� with her?

Sure, women do this too, but it�s a lot less cumbersome to make the point using one pronoun rather than two. We�ll get to women later.

Too many guys do this and think nothing of it. Is this you? You meet someone and feel an immediate attraction. You begin seeing her. The initial magnetism quickly turns to a stronger feeling you can�t define. What exactly is it? Could it be love?

Or is it merely lust?

Well, you won�t worry about it now. What�s to worry about? It�s so good. Here�s this available woman ready, willing and able to have sex with you anytime you feel like it. You know she�s not going to go anywhere. Not after all the words of love you�ve whispered in her ear, all the implied promises you�ve made. Why should you be concerned? Nothing says you have to live up to your words. They�re only words. You�ll worry about later later.