The Rare Man

Some men will walk into your life and change everything for you, give you another reason to live. Keep them close.

They’ll challenge you in ways you never thought possible, pushing you to be stronger, braver, and more aligned with your true self. These men see the best in you, even when you can’t. They remind you of your potential and inspire you to reach for it, giving you the courage to break through limitations you once held as truths.

When these men enter your life, they don’t just offer companionship, they bring stability. You feel safe in their presence, knowing they’ll hold you in moments of weakness without judgment. Their touch, their words, and even their silences offer healing. They don’t rush your growth, but patiently walk alongside you as you evolve, supporting you with unwavering faith.

These men don’t shy away from your complexities; they embrace every layer. They honor your story—the battles you’ve fought and the dreams you’ve yet to pursue. They don’t try to change you but rather celebrate who you are at your core, reminding you that you are enough exactly as you are. It’s through this acceptance that you begin to heal deeper parts of yourself.

They will inspire you to dream bigger and love harder. With them, love feels like a safe space to explore your vulnerabilities. You’ll find yourself opening up in ways you haven’t before, trusting that they will hold your heart with care. These men understand the power of emotional intimacy, knowing it’s the foundation for a lasting, meaningful connection.

In their presence, you’ll learn to trust again—not just in others but in yourself. They help restore your faith in love, in goodness, and in the possibility of creating a life filled with joy and connection. Their belief in you allows you to rebuild your own belief in what’s possible.

They are the kind of men who take the time to truly know you, not just your surface-level desires but the dreams you hold in the quiet corners of your heart. They are curious about what lights you up and what keeps you up at night, always striving to understand you on a deeper level.

Their love isn’t just in the grand gestures; it’s in the little things. It’s in the way they remember the details, the way they listen when you speak, the way they show up even when it’s inconvenient for them. Their consistency is their promise, a reminder that they are here for the long haul.

With these men, you’ll feel seen in a way that’s rare. You won’t have to hide parts of yourself or pretend to be someone you’re not. In fact, they’ll encourage you to bring out even more of who you truly are. Their love gives you the freedom to be authentically you.

So when such a man enters your life, cherish him. Understand that what you’ve found is rare and sacred. Keep him close, not because he completes you, but because he complements you in the most profound ways. He’s the kind of man who makes the journey of life feel a little lighter, and the love between you feel like home.

- Abhikesh

They Will Call You

They will call you "cray" because you are, because you were born with the gift of seeing things differently and that scares them.

They will call you "intense" because you are, because you were born with the courage well placed to allow you to feel everything to the fullest and that intimidates them.

They will call you "selfish" because that's how it is, because you discovered that you are the most important thing in your life and that doesn't suit them.

They will call you in many ways, with many judgments, for a long time, but stay firm in yourself and in what you want, and I promise you that one day they will call you to say, "thank you for existing. "

✍️ Frida Kahlo

8 Ways To Strengthen Your Relationship

Love is perhaps our most powerful emotion, and the need to be in a loving relationship may be one of the strongest needs we have. Being in an intimate relationship makes us feel connected, not only to our partner, but also to the world at large. When our hearts are filled with love, we feel profoundly content and satisfied. We become more patient, more empathetic, kinder, gentler.

But personal intimacy doesn't merely affect our emotional well-being. According to numerous scientific studies, the power of love directly affects our physical health, too, by boosting our immune system, improving our cardiovascular functioning, and increasing our life expectancy. "Love and intimacy are at the root of what makes us sick and what makes us well," says Dean Ornish, M.D., who explores the connections between love and health in his book Love & Survival (HarperCollins). "When you look at the scientific data, the need for love and intimacy is as important and basic as eating, breathing, and sleeping."

On Valentine's Day, we celebrate our love for each other over candlelit dinners or through exchanges of chocolates, flowers, and slinky lingerie. But a box of bonbons only lasts so long. Experts agree that the key to a vitalized, long-lasting relationship is what you and your partner do the other 364 days of the year. Indeed, keeping your love alive requires continual time and effort. Following are eight steps you can take to keep the flame burning.

BE FRIENDS

Any healthy relationship must be based on a solid underlying friendship. Remember to treat your partner with the same kindness, respect, and appreciation as you would a close friend. Support, listen to, and laugh with each other. Don't allow yourselves to be rude or disrespectful.

STAY CONNECTED

"Couples need to spend a lot of time with each other," advises David Kaplan, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Counselor Education and Rehabilitation programs at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. "There is no substitute for quantity of time." Kaplan encourages couples to take a half-day a week to go out on a date. In addition, devote at least 15 minutes of your day to meaningful, one-on-one conversation — no television or kids allowed.

PHYSICAL

Physical intimacy is a natural — and healthy — extension of a relationship. Our best sexual intentions are often put to rest, however, as we collapse into an exhausted heap at the end of the day. Instead, you and your partner need to consciously commit to turning up the heat. Leave the dishes in the sink, turn the laptop off, and just do it! Set the mood with the sensual music, and light some calming aromatherapy candles or incense. Learn to communicate your loving energy through touch.

CELEBRATE EACH OTHER

Saying something kind and affectionate to your partner should be a daily habit. The expression of loving thoughts nourishes your relationship by helping you both remember what it is you treasure about each other. Let your partner know how much you appreciate him or her, and be generous with compliments and expressions of affection.

FIGHT WELL

Since disagreements and arguments are inevitable, what's important is not whether you fight but how you fight. When disagreements surface, keep them short. "No more than 10 minutes," says Kaplan. "After ten minutes, it gets nasty and repetitive." Also, keep boundaries on the subject matter. Don't dredge up issues from last week or last month-keep your dispute focused on the matter at hand.

TAKE A CLASS

Feeling like your relationship could benefit from professional advice? Why not take a class on communications skills, attend a seminar on loving kindness, or read a book on relationship-building together? Your efforts will likely spark important discussions about your relationship and, ultimately, enhance it. A good starting point is Phillip McGraw, Ph.D.'s straight-talking tome Relationship Rescue (Hyperion, 2000).

LISTEN CAREFULLY

Being an attentive listener lets your partner know that his or her thoughts and feelings are important to you.

Moreover, good listening encourages partners "to open up and be willing to share," says Richard and Kristine Carlson, authors of Don't Sweat the Small Things in Love (Hyperion, 1999). The secret, say the Carlsons, is not just to "hear" what your partner is saying, but to be truly "present," having a heartfelt desire to understand what is being said and listening without being judgmental.

MAINTAIN YOUR SENSE OF SELF

Partners must learn to balance their needs as individuals with their needs as a couple. "On one hand, you don't want people to be too far apart emotionally. If you don't spend time together, you become disengaged emotionally," says Kaplan. "The other end of the spectrum is couples that become too dependent on each other and their individual identity gets lost." Ideally, the two of you should be close enough to have intimacy, yet "far enough away to have an individual identity," says Kaplan. Don't be afraid to develop some friendships and interests separate from your partner.

Author: Heather Prouty