I thought I should be thankful for whoever came up with this list. To show my deep appreciation, I decided to have each item pay tribute for each of the 30 years I have lived --- sometimes happy, sometimes in stinging sadness.

So here's to the last 30 years. Lessons about love and life and lust.
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1. Do not fall in love every time you fall in bed. Learn to detach emotionally.
2. Sex does not equal commitment.
3. Do not revolve your entire life around him/her. Addiction is bad for your health!
4. Do not cling, act needy or demand. Doormats are for your feet, not your heart.
5. It's OK to say NO!
6. Stop talking so much. Neverreveal everything.
7. Do not grill them or their friends for information.
8. Master the art of listening.
9. Treat him/her as you would your best friend. Friendship creates long-term love and comes before sex.
10. Forget about fixing your partner. It will never happen.

11. Your choice of partner is a reflection of who you are and who you are not!
12. Enjoy the moment first. Live in the present. Don't worry about the ex's or start naming your future children.
13. Never read your partner's journal or go through their paperwork and mobile phones. If you have no trust, you have no relationship.
14. Allow space and freedom between you.
15. Do not always be available. Calling frequently is a turn off and signals insecurity, neediness and control.
16. Open your eyes to lies and cheating, OR... close them, justify the bad behavior, and live with the consequences.
17. Little or no eye contact? Start walking. They won't even notice you're gone.
18. Anyone preoccupied with their physical appearance and dress, usually have very little or nothing to offer from within. Look beyond the physical!
19. Never compromise your values.
20. If you overgive, you will lose your lover and his respect.

21. DO NOT LOSE YOUR IDENTITY.
22. May-December relationships are great. However, seasons change and the May lover will, sooner or later, hear the call of Spring.
23. If someone really wants to be with you, they will be.
24. Sleeping with a married man? Don't count on him divorcing anytime soon.
25. State your personal rules in the very beginning or expect them to be broken.
26. If they ask to be just friends, be just that and look elsewhere for a love partner.
27. If someone wants to really be with you, they will. If they keep giving reasons for not calling or say they are extremely busy, get the hint. Leave them alone.
28. Marriage before thirty is an inevitable celebration for divorce.
29. Don't ever give up your friends for him/her.
30. If your partner one day leaves you, be sure you have friends, money, a career and a life of your own which you never gave up. Do this so you won't painfully blame yourself in the end!