Susana Sanchez
November , 2010

What do all people want? Many people want long lasting relationships. However, to have a happy long lasting relationship one must understand certain concepts. There might be abundant obstacles to face as a couple, but happy and long lasting relationships are not impossible. Most couples are likely to endure emotional bumps, but their ability to maintain their feelings will ultimately become their most important challenge. For a happy long lasting relationship to survive the test of time, unconditional love should be kept alive in mind and most importantly at heart. The concept of love and sacrifice is also important but let’s not forget that cultivating our relationships also help . If we practice these three concepts we are more likely to have a happy and long lasting relationship.
In recent times, most relationships are built upon what they posses financially or by how they are viewed by society. This erroneous perception does not guarantee the success of a happy relationship and neither can it last forever. It is imperative that an emotional relationship should be based on the love that is born by accepting your significant other not for what they own, but by what that person signifies to you on an emotional and caring level. Unconditional means to love without condition. It means loving a person regardless of whatever defects they may have, how they look or how they act. In "Happier "by Tal Ben -Shahar It says "To be loved for our wealth, power, or fame is to be loved for our stead fastness, intensity, or warmth is to be conditionally”. Our significant over may not have all the money in the world but if he or she has the ability to make you smile, it will bring happiness into our lives. Unconditional love is the right way to love someone .Jon Gerneter writes “...... so for the average person, the obstacle between them and happiness is actually getting the future that they desire .” In other words for people who seek money from their partner will most likely not have along lasting relationship . These view their partner for who they are but ,how their partner can offer them the future they would want to have .
Have you ever sacrificed something for someone you love? For a happy relationship sometimes people have to make sacrifices. For example, I once had the opportunity to come across a recently married couple; which in my opinion serves as a perfect example of unconditional love. This particular couple just got married and were also pregnant with their first child. The husband was completing his education, as he hoped to one day become a teacher. As a requirement, he had to accept a one year paid internship in a school that happen to be located in a remote jungle. His wife was really concerned, but as the money was also needed they made the decision to accept. The wife had to leave behind her city , her family and her entire life, as she understood her husband’s need to fulfill his dream of becoming a teacher, and also because they needed money . The sacrifice that was made between this couple was very important. Now, the husband became a teacher and they have enough money to feed their kid. They lived a happy life. In "Happier “by Tal -Ben shahar it says “It is important to note that standing by one's partner in a time of need is not a sacrifice; when we love someone we often feel that helping that person is helping yourself” . I agree with this quote a sacrifice for love is an act one does to contribute something to the relationship.
I think that for a couple to have a long and happy relationship , it is best if they cultivate their relationship together .Although a man is expected to provide for his family I think it is better if they both cultivate for their future and their family. To cultivate means to plant the seed of responsibility, commitment and love into a relationship. For example a couple who works together to build a house for their family. In "Happier" by Tal - Ben shahar it states " I don’t believe that there is just one right person for each of us, but rather cultivating the chosen relationship” For some people the right person is he or she that has money, houses or cars; but what Tal -Ben shahar means is that is best if as a couple cultivates or puts work on getting the house, car or money together.
A long happy relationship is not impossible. A relationship is like a house we must begin to build on solid ground. If we wish for the house to stand and not fall. If a relationship is build by two people. Making sacrifices for one another shows how much a couple understands and care for each other .Jon Gertner writers “....the problem is you cant always get what you want“.This quote is very important to remember because we may wish your partner to look great and have a good economic possibility. If you think about this twice you may ask yourslef is that really what you want ?I think unconditional is a bright way to look at a idea such as this one . unconditional love plays a positive role in a long and happy relationship .After all the looks on that guy you dreamed may not make you happy but , the way he is will make you want to be with him always because he will make you happy . Maintaning a long and happy relationship is not as hard and impossible as it may look or as you may think it is !