Is It Really Love? How to Tell if You've Found the Right Man or Woman

How do we truly know if we've found the right person? It’s a question many ponder. Perhaps the answer lies less in grand gestures and more in a subtle, mutual understanding: I care for them, and in return, they respect and love me. This isn't about someone who dramatically kicks open doors, but someone whose presence feels genuinely good, who looks amazing in your eyes, even if you harbor your own internal dissatisfactions about your appearance. That inner discontent, that feeling of being unhappy or deteriorating even when things seem externally successful or rich, can be a heavy burden. It’s a sign that if problems arise, they might feel magnified a hundredfold if this internal state persists.

You've likely observed women who seem unhappy with their partners yet remain silent, suffering quietly. Then, upon meeting someone kind and attentive, they suddenly find their voice, perhaps even complaining about this new, better man. It's a curious pattern. On the other hand, there are women whose lives unfold with grace; they find happiness, realize their potential, attract the partner they desire, and build wonderful families. And then some feel deprived of male attention, their lives not quite working out. What makes the difference?

The Weight of Inner Beliefs and Self-Perception

One might quickly point to fate or "karma," as if life's script is already written. This idea of a "family program" often takes root – internal beliefs where one thinks, "My mother endured, my grandmother endured, so I must too." This acceptance of suffering can tragically become a life strategy, leading to loneliness.

Another common thought is, "Perhaps I'm not attractive enough." This dissatisfaction with one's appearance – a nose, a waistline – often plagues women who are, by all objective standards, quite appealing. This internal conflict can become a constant search for flaws, leading to endless cosmetic procedures without ever achieving satisfaction, because the dissatisfaction is rooted deeper within. Conversely, some women, perhaps not conventionally "stunning," possess a self-presentation that captivates and creates desire.

Cultivating the Inner Garden: Joy, Self-Worth, and Presence

Let's consider the factors that cultivate interest, success, and happiness. It often begins with the ability to enjoy life, to appreciate what you have without fixating on what you don't. This is a fundamental attitude. There's wisdom in the old saying that if you want to achieve something, start behaving as if you already have it. Learn to live and enjoy each day, regardless of external circumstances. A person who is perpetually dissatisfied, even in a five-star hotel, will likely find fault in everything and everyone, making true happiness elusive for themselves and those around them. It's the women who genuinely appreciate today who often draw others in.

We all carry a set of ingrained patterns, these "ancestral programs" or learned beliefs from family, society, and experiences. When these programs are effective and positive, a man senses he can grow and be comfortable with such a woman. She lives a life that is inviting.

Many seek relationships to escape loneliness, but it's crucial to know what you do want, not just what you don't. As the Cheshire Cat might say, if you don’t know where you want to go, any road will do – or none at all. Seeking marriage to find happiness implies you're unhappy now. And who is attracted to an unhappy person? Often, someone who might seek to keep them that way. If a pattern emerges where partners, despite initial success, seem to diminish by your side, it might point to these underlying programs influencing the dynamic. Positive thinking, much like these deeper patterns, can be transmitted and can shape the life you build with another.

The Energetic Exchange in Relationships

There's an undeniable energetic process between a man and a woman, based on a flow, like a current needing more than one wire. A woman often gives energy through three primary aspects:

  1. Grounding: This is reliability, loyalty, and sincerity. Without it, other connections falter.
  2. Guiding Principles: These are the "ancestral programs" – goals, values, and behavioral patterns.
  3. Feminine Essence: This is often linked to eroticism and a woman's unique feminine energy.

The more traditionally masculine a man is, the more he may seek a traditionally feminine woman. This isn't just about appearances. It's through that foundational reliability and sincerity that a man can truly connect with her essence and her guiding principles.

In turn, a man often returns this energy, processed into tangible forms, through channels that matter deeply:

  1. Family and Home: Commitment and contribution to their shared world.
  2. Security: Providing a sense of safety and stability.
  3. Sexuality: A return of intimacy and appreciation.

When a woman gives of her energy (which can be seen as channeling the broader energy of life) and he returns it in a way that makes her feel cherished and happy, she thrives. This can create an upward spiral: she gives more, he returns more, and both flourish in their endeavors and well-being. This feminine quality, this vitality, isn't merely genetic. It can be cultivated through practices that enhance self-awareness, behavior, and thinking, leading to a more vibrant presence. Indeed, endocrinology tells us about the importance of hormonal balance (like estrogen) for overall health. This vitality is trained through how one lives and thinks.

The Dance of Different Strengths: Thinking Styles in Partnership

Nature seems to have set up an interesting dynamic. Imagine a chessboard: both players have the same pieces. Men might be inclined to play chess, following every rule rigidly. Women, to find happiness in this game of connection, might play by similar rules but with a different strategy – perhaps more like checkers, with a focus on different kinds of moves, an intuitive pliability, and an ability to let her partner "win" in certain exchanges, so that ultimately, they both win in the larger game of life. This isn't about subservience, but about a different kind of wisdom, a tolerance and flexibility that fosters mutual victory.

A woman who knows her self-worth, who accepts herself and confidently presents who she is, stands apart. It’s a profound misunderstanding to believe that external attractiveness is the primary factor for long-term connection, especially for those who are secure in themselves. As people age, they often remember themselves and their partners through the lens of youth, love, and happiness – a testament to how perception shapes reality. The filters of love allow us to see beauty and desirability beyond the superficial. While eroticism is a factor, it's the sum of many parts that creates lasting attraction.

The Pillars of an Engaging Woman

A woman who knows her worth, understands her goals (be it in work, hobbies, or health), and takes responsibility for her life is incredibly appealing. There’s often truth to the saying that intelligence is sexy. This blend of self-esteem, self-respect, and a proactive approach to life is a powerful draw. When a woman lives a life you want to be a part of, that’s magnetic. When you find someone looking in the same direction, you can walk the path together.

Relationships are far more than just physical; they are about meaning, information, and shared social life. Intellectual development, curiosity, visiting museums, reading, learning – these make a woman an engaging partner for life, providing a rich space for communication and shared interests that grow more valuable with time.

The Sanctity of Personal Space

Crucially, one must be able to define, limit, and respect personal boundaries – both your own and others'. To do this, you must clearly know what you allow and disallow, for yourself and from others. This clarity is as vital in a family or couple as it is in a corporate culture where rules and rewards are understood.

Even in the most trusting relationships, maintain personal boundaries. A personal space, a notebook unopened by others, perhaps even a room where you can be alone – these are not signs of distrust but of self-respect. It's wise to be cautious about starting a relationship with someone who doesn't respect these boundaries from the outset by, for instance, checking your phone or going through your private things. While all is well, it might seem minor, but at the first sign of trouble, this lack of respect can escalate. Everyone needs the right to be alone sometimes, to pursue individual interests. Don't lose yourself in each other; that's when things can become uninteresting, and respect can fade.

The Power of Empathy and Witnessing

Women often possess a natural ability to empathize, to truly listen when someone is navigating difficulties. In the outside world, men often strive to project strength and confidence. The family, the couple, becomes the sacred space where a man can show his vulnerabilities – his fears, his failures, his tears. This is an incredibly intimate realm. Society often pressures individuals to hide weaknesses, but within the family, a partner witnesses these raw moments.

This isn't just about being there; it's about supporting, listening, and making your partner feel loved unconditionally. Knowing he has a safe place to return to, no matter the struggle, makes a man strong and brave. This empathy, this readiness to accept a person as they are, is profoundly valued.

Recognizing the "Right" Connection

So, how do you determine if it's the "right" man or woman? It becomes simpler when you observe these dynamics.

  • Does the person offer detailed answers, showing engagement, rather than one-word responses?
  • Do they genuinely want to listen, with interest, asking follow-up questions?
  • Do they make plans with you, suggesting activities and future endeavors?
  • Are they interested in your inner world – your thoughts, emotions, reactions to experiences, your past, and how you became who you are?
  • Do they value what's important to you, supporting your passions, whether it's a hobby, career, or intellectual pursuit?

If there's respect for your interests, a man will undoubtedly appreciate a woman who, in turn, appreciates him and is interested in his life – but crucially, without dissolving her own life, interests, and personal development into his. The illusion that simply cooking, cleaning, and "taking care of" a man will earn his lasting respect and love is often misleading. A man tends to love, value, and strive for the woman he cares about, the one he invested in, pursued, and supported. People cherish what they've invested their time, energy, and care into. A woman who allows herself to be healthily invested in often gains a partner who values her more deeply.

These are some thoughts on what makes a woman truly interesting and what fosters a profound connection. Hopefully, they offer some useful reflections.

Marriage & Family Therapist
(LMFT)
William
Marriage & Family Therapist
(LMFT)

Insight, encouragement, and challenge to grow, mixed with a healthy dose of humor makes for great success in the Baking Oven of life! Learning comes from multiple sources, such as life experience, books, others, and training. Learning without growing and maturing is not the definition of wisdom. What do you think? Want to grow wiser together, then call me. Making better decisions in life, helps for greater happiness and joy. A trauma of your past controlling you today? Unresolved traumas can cause addiction and relationship issues. Learn how to ...

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Insight, encouragement, and challenge to grow, mixed with a healthy dose of humor makes for great success in the Baking Oven of life! Learning comes from multiple sources, such as life experience, books, others, and training. Learning without growing and maturing is not the definition of wisdom. What do you think? Want to grow wiser together, then call me. Making better decisions in life, helps for greater happiness and joy. A trauma of your past controlling you today? Unresolved traumas can cause addiction and relationship issues. Learn how to ...

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