PEONY MAGAZINE Sept. 2017 | Page 9

HOW DO THEY TREAT OTHERS? One of the biggest mistakes we make is selecting a partner is only looking at how they treat us while in the dating mode. This makes it so we see them only through rose-colored glasses. When in the dating mode it is natural human nature to put one’s best foot forward, so we would get to see our beau or lady act in a way that pleases us. The smarter way to see how someone will treat one once the newness of the relationship has waned and time has set it is to observe how that person treats others around you, i.e. the waiter or waitress at the restaurant when you’re having dinner, the local grocery store clerk when you two go shopping, or even driving when a super lovely person decides to cut in unannounced. IF this person is courteous to those around them who aren’t “their important” focus of affection, then it is probable that when in an argument or at times of mundane life in your relationship, they will also treat you with the same respect. Now not everyone is perfect and we are all creatures prone to making some mistakes, so an allowance of fibs are ok if they are not serious in nature.

WHAT ARE THEIR CAREER GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS? There is a saying you might have heard, “idle hands make the devil’s tool.” Well what this means is if a person doesn’t have productive hobbies or aspirations, with so much time on their hands they may find themselves getting into mischief, or worse…they become the couch potato watching reruns of old TV shows on Netflix while packing on the tater chips or worse, checking into Facebook every 15 minutes to see what other posts they can compare their lives to. Great way to live, right?? When selecting a mate it is healthy and downright smart to see what their goals are, and better yet if they are already embarking on them. Beware of those that tell you they want to be this or that ONE DAY…because that one day will turn into someday, and then into never. Does this potential mate have a plan in place? Watch how they utilize their time. Are they productive with their day. Most likely if they are wise with their time while they are dating you, then most likely when you two are together he or she will follow the same pattern. A mate with healthy and productive habits will enhance the relationship, reach goals with you, and work as a team to make your lives cohesive to that healthy habit pattern to enable a more fruitful and fulfilling relationship.

pEONY mAGAZINE 09