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Is it Lust or Love -- How to Tell the Difference |
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Written by Deborah Willis
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Far too many people, both men and women alike,
confuse lust for love. Physical attraction alone will not withstand the
test of time in relationships. Physical attraction is an important
factor but must never be the only factor you rely upon when choosing a
mate.
Many make the mistake of confusing lust and love and end up broken-hearted when the relationship doesn't last.
Perhaps
you're wildly attracted to someone and thoughts of that person dominate
your mind a good portion of the day and night. Perhaps you can't wait
until the next time the two of you will be together again. When you are
together you can't keep your hands off one another and when you're
apart, you fantasize about the next time you can see one another. True
love and lust are easily confused because they are so much alike.
As
a rule of thumb, if you share few other interests and have nothing in
common other than an overwhelming physical desire for one another...it
may be lust. If you have nothing of real value to say to one another
and have difficulty relating to one another outside the sexual
arena...it may be lust. If you don't particularly enjoy one another's
company unless you're having sex...it may be lust.
On the other
hand, if your relationship is based on factors other than physical
attraction and sex is not necessarily the number one priority...it may
be love. Most long-term relationships are built on a strong friendship
which turns into love over time. Having sex is not the driving force
behind the relationship, but is a nice sideline to it.
There
really is such a thing as "love at first sight". It happens to many
people and the relationship may last for the rest of their lives. A
budding relationship based on lust feels much the same as one which is
truly "love at first sight". So how do you tell the difference?
Ask
yourself the following questions. Read each question carefully and
really think about it before answering. When answering, try to be as
truthful as possible. If you can honestly and sincerely answer "yes" to
all or nearly all of the questions, it may be safe to assume what you
feel for the other person is actually love and not merely lust.
Keep in mind, these questions are quite general and are in no way a total and complete checklist.
- 1. Do you share similar ethics, values, and morals?
- 2. Do you find it easy to talk to one another and can you talk freely about almost anything?
- 3. Do you enjoy the time you spend with one another, regardless of the activity?
- 4. Do you enjoy even the most mundane activities when you are together, simply because you ARE together?
- 5. Do you have a genuine concern for the happiness, safety, and well-being of the other person?
- 6. Are you able to work out any differences you may have with this person to the satisfaction of both of you?
- 7. When disagreements arise, are you able to discuss them openly and frankly without losing your temper?
- 8.
Do you find yourself longing for this person's presence in your life in
terms other than a sexual relationship? In other words, do you feel a
need simply to be with that person and spend time with them even
without having sex?
- 9. Can you laugh together and at one another, share jokes, and generally have fun together?
- 10. Does spending time with this person make you feel good about yourself?
- 11. Does this person give you a heightened sense of self-confidence and vitality?
- 12.
Can you look at this person even when they are at their worst in their
physical appearance (such as when they are sick) and not feel repulsed?
- 13. Do you share a strong mutual respect for one another?
- 14.
Are you willing and able to share both good times and bad with this
person and work through life's ups and downs together as a team?
There
is a very fine line between lust and love because the two of them are
closely related. Being able to tell the difference can save you from
wasting your time pursuing an unhealthy relationship which is doomed to
eventual failure.
If your long-term goal is to seek out a
partner with whom you can build a solid, lifetime commitment, knowing
the difference between lust and love is an essential and vital skill
you'll want to master. Learning to accept a relationship for what it
really is can mean the difference between a broken heart and a happy,
fulfilling, lifetime of bliss with your partner.
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Copyright 2005 Deborah Willis All Rights Reserved
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About the author:
Deborah Willis is the author of ATTRACT WOMEN -- The Average Man's
Guide to Attracting, Dating, Loving, and Maintaining Relationships with
Women. For more down-to-earth dating advice visit ATTRACT WOMEN
This
article may be freely reprinted as long as the article resource is left
intact and there is a live link to the author's web site.
Circulated by Article Emporium
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