I am in a relationship....

Keep your congratulations and spend that smile on a homeless person instead of me. I am telling you that I am in a relationship not to get your congrats and happy vibes. I am telling you because I want to reinforce to you the power of prayer and share some real relationship tidbits with you

Prayer is powerful
It is simple, assuming you have accepted Him into your life you simply ask him for what you want. He will do the rest.

No, I don't want to tell you about her, her name, what she likes or where she is from.
In your thirties you realize things that are important to you, you keep close to your heart. If you expose a seed to all the elements such as wind, too much sun and rain then it will not yield anything. If you provide a nurturing, guarded environment with moist soil, sunlight when needed and care to it tenderly then it may bud into something wonderful.

In theory, you can have a relationship and build a life with anyone.
I do not believe there is just one person for everyone. I do believe however that there is a person made for you. Same thing? Not quite. Trust that the right person, at the right time, in the right place, with the same morals, vision and outlook on life as you will show up one day. The biggest question is not will you ever find that person, the question is will you be blessed to recognize that person. That person may be looking at you in the face today or possibly has not crossed your path yet. It is up to you to figure it out.

At some point you realize there are indeed other women as interesting, gorgeous, and intelligent women as the one you are with, however none of those other ones were made or meant for you.
You are within your right to past up a 92% and seek a 99%. Just remember, that you are not guaranteed tomorrow and a bird in the hand is worth 5 million in the bush. You must realize that bird was put in your hand for a reason. At some point you realize the beauty of what you have and more importantly like a puzzle piece; she was made for you.

You are no Denzel yourself.
Go find a picture of yourself in college and look at it. Now go look in the mirror. Now look at the picture again. You are not that same dude. Physically you are not that same dude, mentally you are not as sharp and today you value different things. Embrace your new value system and move forward with it. It is no longer about clubs, cars or cash. It is about building something. Something much bigger than you. 

There is no such thing as love at first sight. It is called "lust" at first sight.
Yea, I said it. Trust me, if you see a broad across the room and you feel butterflies then you are probably a bit tipsy and you simply want to fuck. Admit it. Now you may get lucky and find out she is more than a great lay and happens to be a candidate for wifey. However, temper your expectations. Get to know her first. When meeting a person for the first time you are drunk with emotion. The key is after you sober up do you still want to be with her?

It is not that big of a fucking deal.
Sometimes us men (and women) make a big deal of dating, relationships, sex, marriage etc. As a Taurus, I know I can over analyze a situation. You get to a point in your life where you have to consider Life 2.0. Some of us reach this stage earlier or later than others. Some of us reach that stage and decide not to move forward with Life 2.0 but rather decide to continue with Life 1.0. This is completely your decision. In Life 2.0 you develop your own ecosystem with your partner, you create a home, you develop your routine, rules and move toward achieving the dream you both want. In Life 1.1 you acknowledge you value your own space, time and freedom more than cleaving with a partner. Pick one and keep it moving.

Love and relationships are not perfect, the key is to be with someone who commits to resolving issues within the relationship.
If you feel you can resolve any issue with your mate within the relationship and that it is no longer a question of "can we stay together" then you are ready for the next step. Everything else is just noise.

You know she is the one when you realize you are the one that needs to change.
When dating, many of us men find things wrong with our mate early in the relationship and either focus on them or try to change them. I am convinced that your mate, the one who is made for you, will make you change. You will do whatever is necessary to make space in your life for that person. One day you will wake up and learn that the corny line "You make me want to be a better man" from Jack Nicholas in "As Good As It Gets" actually makes sense.

If you can't talk, it won't work.
If you can't laugh and talk to your mate then it won't work. I know that sounds obvious but if that person bores you or if you are bored of them then write it off and keep it moving.

Will it be perfect? No. Will it be alright? Yes.
If you are in a relationship, you are experiencing what millions of other men and women have felt in the past. Even though you may feel alone, you are not. Seek out fellow couples and bond with them. Your relationship may not be just like theirs however you probably will experience many of the same highs and lows they have endured.

Do not seek validation.
Your relationship is your business, period. Don't ask others what they think. If you choose to inform them, fine. But rattling down what you like and don't like about her and waiting for an opinion from someone (especially single friends) is a no no. In the end, it is your life and your decision and this is one subject that shouldn't be open to external evaluation. 

If she loves you, she will make time for you.
I literally crack up when I hear single women say "Oh, I want to have a relationship but I am just so busy and he needs to understand that and adjust". Negro, please. Nobody is going to adjust to you and your schedule. I do not care how many kids you have running around by "other daddies". I have learned not even to jump in that pool. If a woman says she is "busy" and will not divulge what she has planned, then keep walking. If her nail appointment is more important than your ass then don't waste your time.

Am I bitter? No. As you grow into your thirties you just become keen at calling out bullshit. Conversely, you become more confident in identifying what you what, what you need and being brave enough to protect it.

DB