<font color="#660000" size="2"><strong>Part of my morning routine while I am having my coffee is tooting around the internet, checking news, doing email and so on. During the week, I keep an eye on the stock market too. Today I stumbled upon at article linked from one of those sites, and it lists the seven things to check off to determine if you might have found "THE ONE". I am not sure I agree with all of them, and some I might have put in different order, but I thought I would share the list here for those that are into such things. So here ya go:</strong></font>
<p style="margin-bottom:0cm;"><font color="#660000" size="2"><strong>1. You Share Core Values. I agree this one should be #1. Real Core Values. Things like religion, sex, having or not having kids, how to raise kids if you do have them, the kind of lifestyle you both want, and your relationship with each others family. If you don't have a meeting of the minds on this stuff, then I think it would not work out. On the other side of the coin, don't sweat the minor stuff. Focus on the big issues.</strong></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0cm;"><font color="#660000" size="2"><strong>2. You have genuine physical chemistry. I am not so sure that this one should be this high on the list, but that's where they put it. I think that if there is a mutual attraction, then it will be enough if all else falls into line. Physical chemistry can also be created as far as I am concerned, through actions and behaviours. Attitude can create what you need.</strong></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0cm;"><font color="#660000" size="2"><strong>3. You share some hobbies and interests. This one is maybe more important than you might think at first. But I think its real important to have some things that you both enjoy doing, so that you will really enjoy doing whatever that is together. Doesn't have to be anything major, even something like playing cards or a board game, or watching movies will be enough. But you do need to have something that binds you together.</strong></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0cm;"><font color="#660000" size="2"><strong>4. You share an approach to spending and saving. This one, for me, would rank at maybe #2. If he likes to scrimp and save money for the future, and you love to shop til you drop and always go out and get the latest and greatest thing that comes along, you probably have not found "THE ONE". This issue is one that I think needs to be talked about very seriously and honestly pretty early in the relationship. And the key is to be honest about which side you are on. If you really do get a thrill out of being a shopaholic, lying about it isn't gonna help. In the end, it will doom your relationship because sooner or later, the beast will come out. Heh heh heh.</strong></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0cm;"><font color="#660000" size="2"><strong>5. You can effectively compromise. I think Steven (Mr "Lets Make A Deal”) will love this one! Heh heh heh. I do as well. You may never find someone that can fill your every need, but if you are real honest about what it is that you want, and what it is you are prepared to give in return, then sooner or later you will find "THE ONE". All you need to do is to find someone that can give you the real important top three things that you really, really need out of marriage. And if you can provide him or her with the top three things that they really, really need, then guess what? You have found a soul mate. You have found "THE ONE". In this one, the honesty is absolutely crucial. If you are telling someone that you can provide the things they are looking for, but you know deep down within yourself that really, you can't, then don't screw up your life and say you can.</strong></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0cm;"><font color="#660000" size="2"><strong>6. You both want/don’t want kids. I think this one should be higher too, or maybe not even on the list at all, since it was kind of included or covered in point number one.</strong></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0cm;"><font color="#660000" size="2"><strong>7. Gut instinct tells you this one is THE ONE. Important, but taking it's proper place at the BOTTOM of the list. If your gut instinct is screaming out to you that "this is THE ONE" and you find that you don't have the basics in common with each other in the previous 6 points, then it might be time for you to take some Antacids or something. Heh heh heh. Maybe its not your gut instinct that is howling at you. Hahahaha! Gut instinct is the very last thing that you should turn to, IF and only IF you match up on the other stuff. That's how I see it anyway.</strong></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0cm;"><font color="#660000" size="2"><strong>Having said all of that, I would be the first to admit. I could be totally wrong. Heh heh heh. Anything you would add or take off from this list? I just found the article interesting and thought some of you might enjoy the points too.</strong></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0cm;"><font color="#660000" size="2"><strong>Cya!</strong></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0cm;"><font color="#660000" size="2"><strong>Larry</strong></font></p>