LONDON , NEW YORK , MUNICH ,
MELBOURNE , DELHI
Print edition first published in the United States 2011
by Dorling Kindersley Limited,
80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL.
A Penguin company.
ISBN: 9780756671877
Copyright 2011 Dorling Kindersley Limited, London
Text Copyright 2011 Dr. Laura Berman
This digital edition published in 2011 by
Dorling Kindersley Limited.
ISBN: 9780756684679
It is assumed that couples are monogamous and have been tested for sexually transmitted diseases. Always practice safe and responsible sex, and consult a doctor if you have a condition that might preclude strenuous sexual activity. Challenging intercourse positions might put a strain on your back or other body partsdo not attempt them if you have injuries or ailments and consult your doctor for advice beforehand if you are concerned. Sex in public places should only be undertaken with due consideration of the law and the sensibilities of others. The author and publisher do not accept any responsibility for any injury or ailment caused by following any of the suggestions in this book.
Digital conversion by DK Digital Content, London and DK Digital Media, Delhi
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in
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Getting the Love you Want
We all want the perfect relationship. Since childhood, we have learned about soul mates, destiny, and happily ever after, and we want those early fairy-tale dreams to become a reality in our adult lives. Unfortunately, we assume this idealized relationship will come to us simply and easily, just as it does in our favorite childhood tales or in the movies we watch over and over again.
Then, when Mr. Right doesnt fall into our laps, or our relationships dont pan out in this idyllic manner, we become disillusioned and angry. We look for someone or something to blame, whether it is our partners, our jobs, or the entire male species. Unfortunately, placing the blame on others does nothing to improve our relationships. Instead, it acts as a toxic force that prevents us from taking control of our lives and finding the love, sex, and intimacy we so want.
The first step in doing this is to put away blame and step into your own power. Only then are you able to change your life in the ways you long to do. In contrast, when you point the finger of blame at yourself, your environment, your situation, or your significant other, you are stuck. You cant make the changes you want, and you cant attract positive people into your life. When you are stuck in a negative and unproductive mindset, all of that pessimism follows you like a dark cloud, poisoning your relationships and preventing you from getting and growing the love you want. My goal in this guide is to give you the tools to stop the negative cycle that we all get stuck in from time to time, and help you take control of your love life.
In the following sections of this guide, you will learn how to let go of blame and initiate necessary change, how to embrace your own power without always having to be in control, and how to create all the love and intimacy and joy and sex you long forall by yourself. If you follow my advice, I can promise you will feel safer and clearer and more powerful than you imagined. You will have more romance, more spontaneity, and more passion, along with improved communication and self-esteem.
Each section will teach you different tools to help you get and grow the love you want. First, youll learn how to identify the toxic blame games that trap you, and how these can prevent you from picking the right mate or maintaining a healthy relationship. Then, you will discover how your past might be playing a role in your present love life, and how to break unhealthy dating and relationship patterns that you might not even know you have. From there, you will learn to start creating the emotional and physical changes you want, whether youre hoping to build a stronger connection with your partner, manage maternal guilt, or simply make your daily life more sensual and fulfilling. You will discover how to be fully present in life and in relationships in a way that empowers both you and your partner. And, you will learn how to inspire your partner to be more attuned and connected to you, and to give you the love and intimacy you deserve.
In this guide, you will also learn how to take the reins of your own sexual pleasure and create the romance and passion you crave. From intimate new positions to erotica and sex toys that spice up your bedroom routine, the techniques youll learn are guaranteed to make your time in the bedroom a lot more exciting. Most importantly, you will learn that you dont have to sit around and wait for a great sex life to sprout up overnight. You can plant these seeds yourself.
Every happy couple has one thing in commonthey know that they have to work to keep their bond strong and their passion sizzling. The more you work at your relationship and spend time creating the love you want, the more naturally it will happen. The most important step is getting over the idea that great relationships are effortless, or that the perfect man will simply drop into your lap. The second most important step is realizing that your partner cant be responsible for making your relationship change, nor can he read your mind and simply give you what you want. Only you can do that. Keep reading to learn how to create and maintain the love you want. All you have to do is open your mind and come along for the ride!
The Blame Game
We all seek to blame everydayfixating on the actions of others, as well as on any number of factors outside of our control. This type of thinking prevents us from feeling content and at peace in every part of life, but particularly in our relationships. It is only when we choose to stop blaming and to take responsibility for our own happiness in life and love that we are able to build the passionate, intimate, fulfilling partnerships we all desire.
Do you Play the Blame Game?
How much do you take responsibility for what happens in your life? For most of us, blaming others is more common than we realize. This is especially true when it comes to sex and romance. It is easy to point the finger at the opposite sex, yet this can be dangerous. In fact, it can prevent you from living the romantic life you want.
Yes, thats rightyou can create romance. But first, you need to see what attitudes are holding you back. To start, answer the questions here and figure out just how often you play the blame game.
Reader questionnaire
YOU GET TOGETHER WITH YOUR FRIENDS FOR A GIRLS NIGHT OUT. As usual, you sip cocktails and spend the night talking about:
(A) Your ex from two years ago.
(B) The dating service you recently joined and how awful it is.
(C) The funny movie you just saw, your yoga class, your newest project at work, the ski trip you are planning for next winter, and your dating life.
THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE!
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