Know Thyself: A Prerequisite to Dating

by A.L. Woods, Staff Writer

There once was a time when the art of dating boiled down to the parents of a man and the parents of a woman getting together and deciding that the couple would be 'compatible.' The woman's family would receive a dowry and then a public ceremony would take place to validate their union.

This, however, is 2014, and, thankfully, the rules have totally changed. Despite this relationship dynamics tend to be more challenged than ever. With bestselling titles alluding to the metaphor that men are from Mars and women from Venus, it is clear that men and women lack a basic fundamental understanding of how to communicate with each other and to make a relationship work.

Couples tend to put the cart before the horse and date with the intention of getting to know each other before they even have an insightful understanding of their own selves and what they are looking for and need in a relationship.

The strongest relationships are built on a premise of self awareness. Taking some inventory of one's own expectations, past history, beliefs, and fundamental values is the best filter for being able to assess if a potential partner might be a good fit.

A strong relationship requires a strong foundation. Take the steps to ensure that you are building such a foundation by beginning with yourself so that in the final analysis you can achieve a partnership that will endure and be a lasting source of satisfaction and happiness.