Count your blessings.

A good habit to get into is make a list everyday of ten things you are thankful for. It doesn't have to be a major list everyday and the items can be simple and easy. Take for example, "I am thankful for the warm water in my shower" or "I am thankful that my beautiful son comes to see me when he wakes up in the mornings" These are simple little statements but they make a lasting impression on the way you feel. Start doing this everyday even if it is in your mind and soon you might just find your days are better than you think. Even the bad ones will seem better when you realize that you have something to be thankful for.

Get her/him a gratitude rock!

If you have watch the movie THE SECRET then you already know what a gratitude rock is. If not it is a special rock that you give to someone to keep in their pocket. Whenever the touch it they are to think about the things in their life that they are very thankful for. The rock doesn't have to be anything special or you can take it home and shine it up, paint it before you give it to your special person. When you are ready to give it to your partner make a special presentation of the give to him/her. Wrap it up in a small jewelry box with soft tissue or cotton in the box to keep it from rattling. Once they open it make sure to explain it to them or you can even type up a little note and put it in the box for them to read. Once they have their gratitude rock you can rest assure that every time they touch it they will be thinking about you.

Great Quotes.

"The deepest principle in human nature

is the craving to be appreciated"

William James

This quote rings so true we all enjoy doing for our partner but is all lost if it is not appreciated. Sure we are suppose to do these things out of kindness and not expecting a return. True love is a give and take commitment by two people. You do not go into a relationship with the expectation that you will be the only one showing love nor do you go in expecting not to put any effort into the relationship. Appreciation is the payment for all you do for your partner. Appreciation cannot be measured like money but it is the most valuable return on your investment of love.

Feeling needed!

A wonderful feeling that accompanies romance is the feeling of being needed or helpful. Have you even felt this emotion? It can bring your soul up from the depths of dispare and make you feel like an important part of life. Now how can we work this feeling into romance? Thing about it can you make your partner feel needed, are there things in your life that it would be helpful if your partner participated in them. We all have a power struggle that makes us want to take care of everything yourself. Maybe you could ask your partner to help you do your taxes, or help you figure out the best exercises to be doing. The point of these things is to make them feel like not only you want them but that you need them in your life. There is not a single soul out there that doesn't like to know that they are needed. What better person in your life to express that to you than you partner. Sure both of you could live without the other person that is not the point and we don't want you to give up your Independence. We just want you to show your partner that they are important to you and not just an accessory in your life.

When is the last time you really checked to see how much your partner does for you!

As in most relationships, we tend to expect the normal routine from our partner. If they do the laundry we expect that they will do it all the time, if they make dinner we are at the table with silverware in hand ready to eat. The only time we acknowledge our partner in this regard is when they don't help out in the normal way. Then our reaction is usually one of anger accompanied by yelling or unkind words. Are you one of those people that expect your partner to do things, how often do you thank them for the things they do to help out your relationship or family. I am sure that most of us can do a better job in the appreciation category. There are many ways to thank your mate for the things they do and they can be very simple. Things like do you wait on them to sit down before you start eating dinner, or saying, "Wow, the house looks great you must have spend hours cleaning it", or you can even just kiss them and say that is for the clean socks honey. Mix it up a little and go over the top from time to time to show them that you really do appreciate it. Do things like while eating a wonderful dinner they made slip them a note that says "This dinner is so good, I think I will make hot passionate love to you later tonight as a tip" or maybe after doing gardening or yard work you can get them in a shower and wash their hair for them. Showing appreciation is a lot form of art in relationships today and it is up to us to help bring it back to the forefront. Next time your partner takes care of the kids so you can nap, offer to give them a massage later in return, or if they have to miss work to take care of your sick child tell them to call up some friends and have a lunch date this weekend. Relationships are about helping each other out, not helping ourselves. Love is a powerful tool if used correctly, and appreciation in part of that power.

Have your own little Thanksgiving for the two of you.

If your like us, you spend your Thanksgiving going from one partners parents to the next. Eating and roaming the country side. While I am not in the least bit saying you should skip these family gatherings, I am suggesting you make your own little Thanksgiving dinner on the night before or after. Pick on of the nights and make a little dinner for the two of you, heck you can even use left overs if you brought some home. You could also make a specific dish for the two of you to enjoy this time of year. Sit around and tell each other why you are thankful for their being in your life and don't just say the big things, use the little ones to show how much you value them. Things like "I am so thankful when you get up a little earlier to let me sleep in" or "I am thankful that you pushed me to apply for my new job" Spread them out through out the whole day and retrace the entire year. Sure being thankful shouldn't happen just once a year but when the word is in the title of the day you can't help but make it a focal point.