Some say that this originated as the gospel according to Oprah - Snopes isn't quite sure... Regardless of where this list originated from, it's a good list and it absolutely shouldn't be about just men - it should apply to both genders...
- If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away. If he doesn't want you, nothing can make him stay.
- Stop making excuses for a man and his behavior. Allow your intuition to save you from heartache.
- Stop trying to change yourself for a relationship that's not meant to be.
- Slower is better. Never live your life for a man before you find what makes you truly happy.
- If a relationship ends because the man was not treating you as you deserve then heck no, you can't "be friends". A friend wouldn't mistreat a friend. Don't settle.
- If you feel like he is stringing you along, then he probably is.
- Don't stay because you think "it will get better." You'll be mad at yourself a year later for staying when things are not better.
- The only person you can control is you.
- Avoid men who've got a bunch of children by a bunch of different women. He didn't marry them when he got them pregnant, why would he treat you any differently?
- Always have your own set of friends separate from his.
- Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you. If something bothers you, speak up.
- Never let a man know everything. He will use it against you later.
- You cannot change a man's behavior. Change comes from within.
- Don't EVER make him feel he is more important than you are...even if he has more education or in a better job.
- Do not make him into a quasi-god. He is a man, nothing more nothing less.
- Never let a man define who you are.
- Never borrow someone else's man. If he cheated with you, he'll cheat on you.
- A man will only treat you the way you ALLOW him to treat you. All men are NOT dogs.
- You should not be the one doing all the bending... compromise is a two way street.
- You need time to heal between relationships...there is nothing cute about baggage... Deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship
- You should never look for someone to COMPLETE you... a relationship consists of two WHOLE individuals... look for someone complimentary...not supplementary.
- Dating is fun...even if he doesn't turn out to be Mr. Right.
- Make him miss you sometimes... when a man always knows where you are, and you're always readily available to him - he takes it for granted.
- Never move into his mother's house.
- Never co-sign for a man.
- Don't fully commit to a man who doesn't give you everything that you need.
- Keep him in your radar but get to know others.