Love Unconditionally

I've said it at the end of every post because it is my biggest rule with love. Love unconditionally. For me, it means a lot of different things. The biggest meaning of all is acceptance. Love your partner through it all. Support them with every decision and vow to never be judgmental. We are all at the point in our lives when we choose our path in life. That is a hard decision to face on your own and it gets even harder with critics.
If your love wants to be a veterinarian  awesome. If they want to be a lawyer, cool. But if they want to be a teacher or become an artist, never criticize. Only support.
Also, I'm a strong believer in the mixing of the masses. Love is blind. Never judge a book by its cover and never give up on someone because they don't fit the status quot. Love is the strongest when you find it in unsuspecting places. But that rule isn't just for romances; everyone deserves a shot.
I hope my blog has helped even a few of you out. I've loved being in this class and I will truly miss it. Remember, love......ehh. You get the idea.

The Key

In my experience and opinion, there is one main key to be successful in relationships. Not just in high school and not just romantic relationships, but in all companionship. Never stay mad. It's healthy to fight and it's healthy to be mad, but holding on to one problem for too long can be toxic. Get it all out there. Communicate, talk about your feelings, and never hold anything in. Not only does it allow your relationship to grow, it also allows you to grow as a person. You've heard that old saying, never go to bed mad. It's that same concept and it's still as simple. Sometimes love blossoms out of hardship. Your relationship will be tested, long with your patients. Just don't look at fights as the end, but instead look at them as a chance to grow. Love unconditionally.

The Untouched

I think a lot of teens and pre-teens enter high school with a certain hope in their heart for love. Those same teens and pre-teens leave high school with either a pieced together broken heart, a fulfilled one, or one that has gone untouched. The ones I refer to as "the untouched" feel cheated. They feel like something must be wrong with them because they didn't fall in love in high school. These are the type of people I just want to shake and point down the yellow brick road of hope.
High school, as I've said before, is NOT the end all be all for love. Most of those who didn't have any sort of romantic relationship in high school are too mature for it. They're the ones college was made for! You have to keep in mind that as mature we all like to think we are, we're still kids and that makes it hard for someone with an old soul to find new love in the hallways. I think that you should consider yourself lucky. You have (for the most part) avoided heartbreak and having to deal with immature and meaningless relationships. When you finally find that first love, it will mean more to you than you can imagine and that is a gift. So, keep the faith my friends. Love finds you when you least expect it.

Break-Ups

Break ups are hard. There's no doubt about it. Unless the break up is mutual, there will always be feelings hurt but the extent of the drama depends on how you handle it. So here are some tips.

1) STAY OFF OF SOCIAL MEDIA! Do not, under any circumstances, bash the other person on twitter, facebook, google+, etc. This doesn't help you feel better, it gives the other person ammo for the future, and it shows that you aren't handling it well. Also, remember that you don't have to answer any questions you don't want to. Once you make that relationship change, people will be picking it apart like buzzards. Beware.
2) Talk to someone. If you're having trouble coping, there is no reason to deal with it on your own. Find a friend, a parent, a councilor, find anyone who will listen and just let it out. You will be amazed by how much it helps.
3) Write a letter to your ex and destroy it. Say everything you've ever wanted to say to them. It can be as mean as you need it to be. Take your time and let it all out. Then burn it. It has the same effect as #2, a sigh of relief.
4) Don't let anything you ex does post-break-up affect you. If they're dating someone new; great for them. If they're bashing you; they're just proving that you're better off without them.
5) STAY POSITIVE and always look on the bright side. As cheesy as it is, there are other fish in the sea and this is only high school. You have the rest of your life to find "the one." Believe me hen I say, it is not the end of the world.

Bottom line, NEVER let a break-up or a relationship define you. You are your own beautiful person.
Love yourself unconditionally.

The Attention Seekers

On average, these strange creatures are females around the ages of 12-15, if they exceed this age range then larger problems are present for them. You know exactly who I'm talking about when I say, "Attention Seeker." The Instagram obsessed teens take any opportunity to grab the attention of every needy boy. Every picture is followed by 80 hashtags that ruin the use of hashtags, #cute #love #but #smile. This attention is how they survive; it's what they thrive on. The facebook comments that read, "Gurl u so cutee," should be restricted and require approval from less hormone crazyed preteens.

If you're a young man who has written these comments, don't buy into it. They are not being true to themselves and they will be difficult people to handle. Also keep in mind that their need for attention obviously stems from a larger self-esteem problem.

 Most of the time, these girls eventually mature. Hopefully due to a "come to Jesus" with theirselves and not by someone else's hand. Girls, just remember that you will attract the kind of people that you portray yourself to be. If you're classy and sweet, you'll get that Prince Charming. If you're immature and fake, you'll get Ken. So, post that cute picture, just not one every two hours.

Love unconditionally.

Type 3: Long Distance Relationship (College)

One of the hardest things about falling love in high school is the impending doom of college. Are we going to the same college? You're a grade above me.... Is it worth it? It can ruin the chance for a potentially perfect relationship. It invented, "the one who got away."
For those who are brave enough to endure the long distance relationship, I applaud you. It isn't easy. If you're lucky, you get to see your significant other once a month. I'd like to see those PDAers survive something like that.
These relationships require, above all else, an immense amount of trust. Without trust, jealousy will eat away at everything you built. You don't only need trust in someone's faithfulness but you also have to trust that they will always be there for you. You have to have trust in the idea that you are still a big part of their life, even if they're states away.
Don't fret fellow romantics! There are BIG pluses in long distance relationships!

• You get to hand write love letters. Nothing will ever say "I love you" more to me than a handwritten letter. 
• Skype dates are adorable and perfect. Do you think a couple who goes to the same school gets those? Nope.
• Bragging rights. i.e. I'm dating a college boy. Boom.
• That first day together after weeks or months of being apart is like a first date. You get to experience those butterflies and that nervousness all over again. 
• You get more "first kisses" than any average couple. As Drew Barrymore says in 50 First Dates, "Nothing beats a first kiss." 
• You appreciate every little thing so much more. When someone who is such a constant in your life goes away, it's amazing what you miss. Seeing their face becomes a gift and less of an expectancy. 
• The amount that your trust grows. If you start a long distance relationship off  well with a good amount of trust, it only goes up, I promise. 

My main point here is that college shouldn't be an ending point for any relationship. And it shouldn't discourage you from going after that perfect relationship. Who knows, maybe that college boy (or girl) is your soul mate.

Love unconditionally. 

Flirts

Ladies and gentlemen, we've all experienced a professional filterer at one point in the past four years. They flash the half grin, giggle, and maybe even throw in a wink. When encountering these creatures, my advice is to proceed with caution; and be wary of becoming one. Let me address the ladies first.

Ladies, I know how easy it is to fall for the little compliments and charming good looks but before you go planning your wedding, assess what their intentions really are. Are they just having fun or are they really looking for a relationship? Always make sure you're on the same page with someone before getting involved and falling head over heels. Are you the only one he flirts with? If you're not, this could give you an indication of his true intentions and what he may be like as a boyfriend. Try not to become a master flirt yourself. Remember that kindness can always be perceived differently.

Gentlemen, I don't think it's any secret that women are complicated beings. We, ourselves, have a hard time figuring it out. I can let you in on a big secret about the female mind. We fall for flirts. It's like we're hardwired. I don't now if it's our natural born tendency to be drawn to attention or if it's just a want for reciprocating feelings, but either way, it happens. So, my biggest advice is to watch what you say and how many times you flash those pearly whites. A little flirting goes a long way in the mind of a teenage girl.

Flirting is a completely natural and fun way to show that you're interested in someone and to get to know them. But above all else, it is to be used sparingly and wisely. Good luck in your flirting endeavors.

Love unconditionally.