Most of us would agree that life is about being the best version of ourselves we possibly can. This doesn't always come easily; with so many variables involved including people, situations and our very own personalities, we're presented with many challenges. In the end, it's these very challenges which help us to grow into that best version of ourselves, but what happens when we make a mistake? We've all been there, making mistakes is inevitable, but for many of us, it can be an incredibly uncomfortable experience. So how do we make the most of our mistakes?

Making the most… more

There are many conflicting and dualistic messages coming through our society these days. We're shown by the media that we must acquire all the latest in material possessions in order to be happy, yet we're told money can't buy happiness. We're shown that we'll never get ahead unless we're thin and beautiful, and then we're told it's what's on the inside that truly counts. We grow up believing in fairy tales, only to be told in adulthood that relationships are actually hard work. As we get older, if we're paying attention to the lessons offered to us through our experiences,… more

One of the most common issues we encounter in our intimate relationships is the insecurity of one or both partners. And while insecurity can often masquerade as a doting or adoring partner in the early phases of a relationship, it inevitably evolves into destructive patterns that can tear two people apart.

How to Identify Insecurity in You or Your Partner

1. Arrogance/being aloof. When someone acts towards a relationship as though they can "take it or leave it", or in selfish ways, chances are they're hiding a fear of being vulnerable which comes with true intimacy.

2. Needing to… more

The marking of a new year can be a great chance to evaluate the past, and determine what we'd like to strive for in the months to come. While new year's resolutions are often grandiose (and often unrealistic) changes, we can instead choose to focus on attainable steps which will improve our overall state of being. As single people, our dating life is an important area which we can always tweak and improve, and getting a fresh start can really help us find our way to rich experiences and a more satisfying journey.

Dating: Getting a fresh start in 2012

As we approach the end of 2011, we're hopefully not completely drained from all the family gatherings and stress that the holiday hustle and bustle can bring. And while the end of one year can see the next one looming on the horizon, it's important to celebrate all we've learned, accomplished, and survived in the past year, and what better way to do this than with a New Year's Eve celebration! This night is considered by many to be THE party night of the year, and while expectations can be slightly unrealistic, some pre-planning can really help you make… more

When it comes to our life experiences being positive or negative, a huge part in the outcome of how we feel is determined by how we view things. Because our lives contain so many people and situations we cannot control, it's important to remember that the one thing we can change is our perception. For instance, say you lost your job. You have the choice whether to see it as the worst thing that could have happened, fearfully and angrily focusing on everything negative this situation represents for you, or you could see it as an opportunity to realize this… more

As the holidays get into full swing, the atmosphere, the people around us, and the situations we're involved in often become highly charged. Shopping, multiple social engagements and family gatherings on top of our already hectic lives can cause us to be overextended and somewhat stressed. But no matter how stressed we are, one lovely part of the season is holiday dating; when the extra excitement in the air is coupled with the sentimentality and warmth of the holidays, dating can take on a special meaning. With any highly charged situation however, it's good to take a look at what… more

As we move further into adulthood, hopefully we start to realize that personal growth is one goal that's truly worth pursuing. Personal growth is discovering who you are, not only inside, but in relation to those around you. It's about finding your inner peace as well as peace within your relationships. And while society encourages us to believe relationships should last "forever", is this even realistic when both parties are growing at different speeds, and often in different directions? It can be hard for us to let go, but relationships (romantic or friendship), are only beneficial as long as each… more

As singles, we experience a lot of pressure to meet someone, pair off, and settle down. And while it's certainly now more socially acceptable to be without a mate than it was say 40 years ago, the media, our friends, family and especially we ourselves, can be convinced we're "less than" when we're not part of a couple. When we feel pressure to accomplish something, especially of an emotional nature, we have to be very careful of our motivations. If we find ourselves pursuing a relationship for the wrong reasons, it's a pretty sure bet it's not going to turn… more

Have you ever been in a situation that just doesn't "feel" right? Or met a person who makes you uncomfortable, but you can't really put your finger on why? Even though these instances might not be able to be explained by science or logic, they're just as real - your intuition is speaking to you. So what is intuition anyway? Some describe it as a "gut feeling" or a sixth sense, while others describe it as the opposite of rational or analytical thought. Because our brains are constantly taking in and processing information on levels we're not always conscious of,… more