10 Universal Rules of Love - Plus One (second edition)

10 Universal Rules of Love – Plus One creates space for the reader to have an honest conversation with her/himself about how they love. The universal nature of the rules means that this book applies to women and men no matter what label you wear: heterosexual or LGBTQIA, Gen X or Millennial/Gen Z, PhD or street professor, wealthy or working on wealth, married, divorced, single or in between. If you have the capacity and desire to love, and be loved, there is something in this book for you. This book will make you laugh, maybe cry, but most importantly think. The Rules will lead you on a journey of self-exploration that examines intimacy, trust, falling in love, soulmates, and ultimately how to find your forever love. The only thing it asks of you is to be open to the journey. At the end of the book, you will have laid a firm foundation on which you can begin to build a lifetime love.

Introduction | 1

Rule 1: The Tape Don’t Lie | 5

Nightclub Lights Vs. Sunlight | 8

Garbage In, Garbage Out |10

Rule 2: Love Is Part Art And Part Science |13

First Law Of Motion: Inertia | 14

Second Law Of Motion: Acceleration | 17

Third Law Of Motion: Karma | 19

Universal Law Of Attraction | 20

The Trip | 26

Rule 3: To Understand The Leaves, Observe

The Tree From Its Roots | 30

The Growth Of A Woman And Her Fear | 33

The Insidious Injuries | 35

Self-Examination | 36

Rule 4: Have Real Intimacy | 40

Who’s The Cheater? | 44

Pseudo Intimacy | 46

Authentic Romantic Intimacy | 47

Rule 5: Know The Difference Between Experiencing Love And Being In Love/Infatuated | 50

Falling In Love/Being Infatuated | 54

Experiencing Love | 58

Rule 6: Honesty Is The Foundation Of Trust And

Trust Is The Foundation Of Relationships | 62

The Cookie Jar | 64

The Lie Equation | 65

How Do You Trust Again? | 67

Can I Trust You? | 68

Can I Trust Me? | 72

Rule 7: Forgieness And Accountability Are Required | 76

Forgiving Yourself | 77

Forgiving Others | 77

The Cell | 79

Steps To Accountability And Self-Forgiveness | 81

Sustaining Behavior Change | 84

Rule 8: Don’t Be A Lazy Soulmate | 88

Instant Gratification | 89

Relationship Laziness | 91

An Excuse To Stay In A Bad Relationship | 93

Rule 9: Don’t Fall Prey To Diminishing Returns | 98

I Am Not What I Do Or Who I’m With | 101

You Get Out What You Put In | 104

Sometimes The Best Thing Is Just To Let Go | 110

Deciding Whether Or Not To Let Go | 115

Rule 10: Real Love Begins With Self-Love | 123

Meal 1 | 125

Meal 2 |128

Self-Love And Completion | 132

Two Houses. | 134

Plus 1: Finding Forever Requires Resilience | 137

The Journey | 138

The Toolkit | 141

Respect | 142

Kindness | 143

Patience | 145

Communication | 147

Commitment To Work | 150