Young Pass-ionate Love…or Mature Love…
Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, researchers have actually observed the effects of love on the brain.
When people in the early stages of infatuation are shown photos of their sweethearts and told to think about them, areas of the brain rich in the chemical dopamine are activated. Dopamine produces very powerful pleasurable sensations.Cocaine and amphetamine, for example, produce their effects by spurring the release of dopamine.
As relationships mature, however, those areas are less responsive to the mere sight of one’s lover. To be successful, the relationship must evolve from dopamine-driven euphoria to a more mindful cultivation of love and respect.
How Marriage Helps Your Brain
Flowers and candlelight dinners help, but so do exploring and experiencing the world together. In fact, one area of the brain that “lights up” in these later stages of love is the cortex, the same place where information is stored and rational decisions are made.
Ah yes. Passionate love. How exciting.How electrifying!
But if there’s one sure thing about it…it’s this : It doesn’t last. 
Daily stressors, arguments over money, raising kids, or the most trivial of things can deflate that passion and romantic love in a hearbeat.
The happiest folk are the ones who despite disappointing each other at times…still insist on showing kindness, acceptance, compassion, and love to their partners…which, ironically, oftentimes - leads to more of those very same qualities from their partner.
Let’s be honest.
Everyone messes up…ok..some more than others. Heh.
But hanging on to grudges or betrayals for dear life , make you perpetuate the damage, sometimes endlessly.
T’aint easy but sometimes, if you can’t seem to let go of your pain, bitterness or hurt, a counselor or close friend can help you learn ways to forgive and to finally just let it go.
What’s fun you ask?..Pfftt.
C’mon..You remember fun..dontya?
-Take long walks.
-Learn something new together.
-Laugh. ok..that was corny.
..but what’s better medicine than laughter…you tell me.
-Or…just do Nothing- together.
-Compliment…………..alot. Heh. (That’s for you boys) 
-Use pet names…be generous with hugs and kisses.
-Listen. Just……….listen.
-Take vacations.
-Pray together.
Rebuild the love……….a litte bit..every day.
And..um…Leave some things..unsaid.
“I have learned that only two things are necessary to keep one’s wife happy. First, let her think she’s having her own way. And second, let her have it.”
Lyndon B. Johnson
“My husband and I divorced over religious differences. He thought he was God, and I didn’t.”
Success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through being the right mate.
Barnett R. Brickner
My wife says I never listen to her. At least I think that’s what she said. Ha.
What say Y’all sweet friends?
Open Trackbacks all weekend!
Other BlogWorthies:
Leave a trackback of your best post for others to read.
All I request is that you return the favor by linking the article you wish to share …..to this post. Thanks! 
And for my non-bloggin friends…feel free to mosey around and put your 2 cents in my comments and drop your pearls o’ widsom..Heh.
March 28th, 2008 at 2:11 am
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright: Dun…
There are two videos that are required viewing - out of many - but, these two should suffice. One video is located here and the other is located here. In the first video, Madeline Albright makes a fairly bizarre statement and in the second video, she…..
March 28th, 2008 at 3:14 am
ANEWTONE JOINS OPERATION CHAOS…
Jimmy Z - We are declaring ourselves the Operation Chaos Tactical Online Warfare Squadron. At this point, we’ll be covering the continuing action at Rush Limbaugh’s radio show and website. Did you know that the liberals in Ohio want to PROSECUTE Limb…
March 28th, 2008 at 5:58 am
But that’s some good advice you’ve dished out there Angel. Must trying and remember that.
“-Compliment…………..alot. Heh. (That’s for you boys)”
So if your wife asks if she looks fat in something, it’s not a good idea to say ‘yes’?
If she says, i feel fat, it might be a bad idea to say, ‘that’s because you are’, no?
March 28th, 2008 at 6:58 am
[...] to third world county, Woman Honor Thyself, Right Truth, The Pink Flamingo, Cao’s Blog, The Amboy Times, , Rant It Up, and The Yankee [...]
March 28th, 2008 at 6:58 am
Surrender Monkey Friday: Hills Begs Dems Not To Vote McCain…
Surrendie loves when Democrats beg. It makes him feel dirty, and all warm and gushy inside (which is usually a good time to get your umbrella out around monkeys)
Hillary Clinton pleaded for partisan unity on Thursday, urging Democrats not to abandon t…
March 28th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Nice post, Angel. There’s nothing like long-term love. It’s even better than the fizz at the beginning. Without it we’re physically, emotionally and financially much worse off according to the stats.
March 28th, 2008 at 7:53 am
[...] to third world county, Woman Honor Thyself, McCain Blogs, Right Truth, The World According to Carl, Pirate’s Cove, The Pink Flamingo, [...]
March 28th, 2008 at 8:48 am
The long-term stuff is great. There’s nothing like knowing that he’ll come home from work, ect, again and again.
And of course, excellent point: Kindness begets kindness, and visa versa.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:50 am
all true!
i believe in always lifting your mate up, especially when it seems everything is going down.
your sweet attitude will crush their nasty ‘tude every, single time.
good weekend to you!
March 28th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Good post, Angel.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:59 am
[...] to third world county, Nuke Gingrich, Woman Honor Thyself, McCain Blogs, Right Truth, Adam’s Blog, Pirate’s Cove, The Pink Flamingo, The Amboy [...]
March 28th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Blogger says I Should Be Shot…
The writer at the Armchair Critic blog says that I should be shot for compiling the list of things that offend Muslims, and goes on to compare me to a terrorist. Below is the whole uncensored, threatening mess. Emphasis added.You…
March 28th, 2008 at 11:28 am
What Offends Muslims?…
What offends Muslims? Apparently a lot. Check out this list of things that offends Muslims.
……
March 28th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
All so very true! My husband, a minister, speaks at marriage seminars quite often, entitled, “Love and Respect”.
March 28th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Words to Avoid Using…
Following on my mini-rant against the sub-literate use of the word “liberal” to refer to reactionary pseudo-communist/socialist tyrannical statist control freaks, here is a short list of terms that should be avoided by any rational person:
…
March 28th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
I love your pictures Angel.
But “Young Pass-ionate Love…or Mature Love”… Don’t matter…Love is Love
I’m all for it.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
I love the sound of my husbands laugher! I just cant be mad, even after eleven years, if he is laughing. Your right, I did enjoy this post, and the cartoons made me smile.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
You have a great looking blog here. Keep up the great work.
PS I found this place from DD2’s blog
March 28th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Laugh together is very important.
March 28th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Nothing beats commitment for holding a marriage together. When you marry you make a solemn vow “for richer or poorer, for better or worse, in sickness and in health till death do us part”. Altogether too many people these days are happy to simply ignore that and turn it around to “until a better looking girl or a richer man comes along”.
March 28th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
That’s very interesting about the MRI. Some relationships begin with infatuation, physical attraction, etc. then grow into the real thing. Others begin as true love at first sight and grow stronger from there. Maturing love is a gradual process and I don’t think it ever stops or reaches a peak.
March 28th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
and SOMETIMES, for a little while, you have to pretend you still like him….and it works! On BOTH of you!
Love is a decision and that mundane boring stuff everybody worries about is the best stuff; coming home at the same time, eating at the same time…if you make it fun somehow.
Sometimes, I think “if he says that again at the exact same time he said it yesterday, and the day before, I’ll…….” and then, I think what if he doesn’t? And that’s worse.
March 28th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Protecting the innocent…
I received an email today from a visitor to my web site. The person had gone to my April page of facts and clicked on the April Fool’s link I had there. Low and behold, the link now went to a porn site! They quickly closed the page and alerted me….
March 28th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
[...] Blog, The Amboy Times, Cao’s Blog, Nuke Gingrich, third world county, McCain Blogs, Woman Honor Thyself, The World According to Carl, Pirate’s Cove, The Pink Flamingo, , Rant It Up, and The Yankee [...]
March 28th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Yeah, I’m a sucker for my wife. One of those things. When she smiles it is a perfect symmetry of beauty. And she keeps me for some reason
March 28th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Those who love longest love best…….
And by the way, mature love has much more passion than the myth of youth and passionate love.
Good post. Have a great weekend hun!
March 28th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Flight 93 Blogburst 3.28.2008…
This is today’s Flight 93 Blogburst…This is our country, and we should all have a say as to what kind of memorial…is in the field of Pennsylvania. After all, these were American men who gave their lives in a valiant attempt to save the people…J….
March 29th, 2008 at 1:31 am
So many truths in this post Angel, thanks. Do they bottle the stuff? Dopamine that is…
March 29th, 2008 at 6:44 am
[...] Cao’s Blog, The Amboy Times, D equals S, third world county, Nuke Gingrich, McCain Blogs, Woman Honor Thyself, The World According to Carl, The Pink Flamingo, Wolf Pangloss, , Rant It Up, and The Yankee [...]
March 29th, 2008 at 9:23 am
LOL Angel. I’ve been married for a long, long time and the passion is still there. To bad my husband and I can’t bottle the secret. We’d make a fortune!
I’ll have to do some trackbacking later. I’m in a hurry this morning.
March 29th, 2008 at 9:33 am
SEATTLEPI.COM UPSET THAT OUR PRESIDENT PUTS THE U.S. FIRST…
The headline reads; “Next president will continue to put ‘US’ first” Well shouldn’t they?
To judge by the polls, millions of peopl…
March 29th, 2008 at 11:45 am
[...] Cao’s Blog, The Amboy Times, D equals S, Nuke Gingrich, third world county, McCain Blogs, Woman Honor Thyself, Pirate’s Cove, The Pink Flamingo, Wolf Pangloss, , Rant It Up, and The Yankee Sailor. Also [...]
March 29th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
In Which I Set the Record Straight…
There are some rumors I need to quash before they spread too far. First, we all have lame days, and even a superior life form has accidents. I hurt my eye, and it got a little swollen. While it is……
March 29th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Angel, Well, I will be married, God willing, 50 years next December…..And the secret, I will reveal….Some days it is a 50%/50% split other days its 10%/90%. others its 90%/10% it depends but its all give and take…….Of course love it the glue that binds, Forgiveness is always needed and that also is a two way street…..stay well….
March 29th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Sunday Reading List 3/30/08…
A Muslim Response to Film FITNA, HAHmed .. lets use this opportunity to help show our non-Muslim brethren the truth of the Quran and the beauty of Islam. If people have questions regarding the verses cited - we should all…
March 30th, 2008 at 12:20 am
Weekend Hodgepodge…
Podcast Show Notes
A key Barack Obama supporter is indicted. (Hat Tip: Don Surber.)
Hillary’s religion issues. (Hat Tip: Right Mind.)
McCain shows terrorism naivette while allegedly blocking an immigration enforcement bill. (Hat Tip: Michelle Ma…
March 30th, 2008 at 7:16 am
[...] MAF letter, Cao’s Blog, The Amboy Times, Conservative Cat, third world county, Nuke Gingrich, Woman Honor Thyself, McCain Blogs, The World According to Carl, Pirate’s Cove, The Pink Flamingo, Wolf Pangloss, [...]
March 30th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Wait a minute, Angel. You mentioned, “the effects of love on the brain.” We need to take a closer look at this so-called research, my friend. Since when have guys had brains?
March 30th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
FRACTURED FRIDAY…
UPDATE: I came across this one and just had to add it. Now I really have heard of everything: “Man Faces Charges for Having Sex With Picnic Table”…
March 30th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
We also produce phenylethylamine in the early stages of love - but it only lasts 18-24 months. After that, you’re on your own. But, after this period, the comfort you feel around each other should produce endorphins. If it doesn’t, you won’t stay together.
March 30th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
[...] Cao’s Blog, The Amboy Times, Conservative Cat, D equals S, third world county, Nuke Gingrich, Woman Honor Thyself, McCain Blogs, Pirate’s Cove, The Pink Flamingo, Wolf Pangloss, A Newt One, Rant It Up, [...]
March 30th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Another Barack ******* Obama Apology…
Number 78 in the Obama Heartfelt Apology series.
……
March 30th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
[...] Cao’s Blog, The Amboy Times, Conservative Cat, D equals S, third world county, Nuke Gingrich, Woman Honor Thyself, McCain Blogs, The World According to Carl, Pirate’s Cove, The Pink Flamingo, Wolf Pangloss, [...]
March 30th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Great lesson of love, Angel…
thanks so much for the insights and cartoons to keep me laughing.
My Friendship (read as Marriage) works so well because 1+1=1, no matter what the situation, i know its US to till the end. So whatever blip is temporarily on the screen it will indeed pass, and there we will be US=1, when the smoke clears.
March 30th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Angel, I love your pics. What great lessons for us. Yep, I love laughter.. and being my best friend. It sure helps when some of the suggestions you have shared is followed. Like a little romance sometimes…just sometimes…listening..just a smile and affirmation of love…and the travel and learning together is a biggie!
Lots of love coming your way with hugs and a big Thank you for the work you do here.
March 30th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE SWEET COMMENTS Y’ALL!
March 31st, 2008 at 7:17 am
The Amazing Race…
No, not the TV show. This year’s presidential race. Every time I think I’ve seen it all, something new pops up. Ohio wants to bring criminal charges against people for voting. The Republicans nominate a man whom I would have said ne…
April 1st, 2008 at 7:15 am
When I go out to play, I am accused of never growing up. A buddy of mine once said that my passion for play is so great, I apply myself like it was my job!
But in love, growing up is a mandatory first step. Most do that later, if ever.